Turbinemachine

Turbinemachine, often referred to as a turbine machine, is a device that converts energy carried by a moving fluid into mechanical work. The fluid’s pressure and momentum are transferred to a rotor, producing high-speed shaft rotation that can drive electrical generators, pumps, compressors, or other equipment. Turbine machines operate in a broad range of industries, including power generation, aviation, and hydraulic systems.

Major families include steam turbines, gas turbines, hydraulic (water) turbines, and wind turbines. Steam turbines extract energy from high-temperature steam; they may employ impulse stages, which transfer energy through high-velocity jets, or reaction stages, where energy exchange occurs through pressure and velocity changes within blade rows. Gas turbines use combustion gases in a multi-stage series of rotors to produce continuous rotation. Water turbines capture the energy of flowing water, with designs such as Pelton (impulse), Francis (mixed-flow), and Kaplan (axial-flow). Wind turbines convert wind energy into rotation via rotor blades connected to a generator, often with gear reduction or direct drive.

Typical turbine machines consist of a rotor with blades, a fixed stator, a casing or housing, bearings, seals, and a control system. The fluid interacts with the blades to impart torque. Efficiency depends on blade design, flow conditions, and mechanical losses; modern turbines achieve high efficiency at their design points, though performance varies with load and operating conditions.

Historically, the steam turbine enabled large-scale electric power generation in the late 19th century, with notable developments by Charles Parsons and others. Since then, turbine technology has expanded to hydro, wind, and industrial processes. Turbine machines continue to be a central element of energy conversion, propulsion, and mechanical power systems.