Turbinenbau

Turbinenbau, or turbine construction, is the engineering and manufacturing discipline focused on the design, production, testing, and service of rotary machines that convert energy from a flowing medium into mechanical or electrical power. The field encompasses steam turbines, gas turbines, wind turbines, and hydraulic (water) turbines, as well as turbomachinery used in marine propulsion and process industries. Turbines are selected for efficiency, reliability, and lifecycle costs across power generation, propulsion, and industrial drives.

Steam turbines use high-pressure steam expanded through multiple stages to drive a shaft; gas turbines burn fuel to generate hot gases that drive a turbine and produce electricity; wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity; hydro turbines convert the potential energy of water into mechanical power. Turbine design emphasizes efficiency, reliability, and thermal and mechanical limits, with attention to vibration, fatigue, and material properties.

Manufacturing involves rotors, casings, blades or buckets, bearings, seals, gears, and control systems. Materials include nickel-based superalloys for high-temperature sections, steel for housings, and titanium alloys for some blades. Components are produced by casting, forging, and machining; blades are often forged or extruded and coated. Additive manufacturing is used for complex parts and advanced coatings extend wear and corrosion resistance. After assembly, turbines undergo balancing, leak testing, and non-destructive testing, followed by commissioning and performance validation.

Standards and quality systems, such as ISO 9001, ASME BPVC, and DIN standards, govern design validation, safety, and interoperability. Current trends include higher-efficiency cycles (combined-cycle plants, variable-speed drives), offshore wind expansion, modular turbine concepts, and enhanced digital condition monitoring to reduce downtime.