Turbiini

Turbiini is a device that converts energy in a moving fluid into mechanical power by rotating a shaft equipped with blades. The working fluid can be steam, hot gas, air, or water. Turbines are designed to extract energy efficiently while controlling speed and load, and they drive generators, aircraft engines, ships, and industrial machinery.

Common types are steam turbines, gas turbines, hydro turbines, and wind turbines. Steam turbines use expanding steam to drive stages; gas turbines burn fuel to produce hot gases that expand through a turbine; hydro turbines convert water head into rotation; wind turbines extract kinetic energy from wind with rotor blades linked to a generator.

Most large power turbines are axial-flow, with multiple stages; radial-flow designs occur in smaller machines. Two main operating principles are impulse and reaction: impulse turbines progress energy mainly by high-velocity jets, while reaction turbines gain energy from pressure changes inside the blade passages.

History: The steam turbine was advanced in the late 19th century by engineers such as Charles Parsons. Gas turbines followed in the 20th century, enabling aircraft propulsion and fast power plants. Advances in materials, cooling, and controls have increased efficiency and reliability.

Performance and use: In power generation, steam and gas turbines underpin thermal plants and combined-cycle systems, with modern plants reaching substantial efficiencies. Hydroelectric and wind turbines convert fluid energy with different characteristics and grid roles. Environmental considerations include emissions, noise, and blade wear and icing.