turbomachiny

Turbomachinery, or turbomachines, are machines that transfer energy between a rotating element and a fluid by accelerating or decelerating the fluid. They include devices that extract energy from a fluid, such as turbines and expanders, and those that impart energy to a fluid, such as compressors, pumps, and fans. Turbomachinery can handle gases or liquids and is central to power generation, propulsion, and industrial processing. Configurations commonly used are axial-flow, radial-flow (centrifugal), or mixed-flow, with blades or vanes arranged to control flow direction and pressure.

The operating principle involves the interaction between a rotating rotor and the surrounding fluid. Fluid moves through passages containing blades or impellers, exchanging energy with the rotor. Turbines convert fluid energy into shaft power, driving a generator or mechanical loads. Compressors and pumps, in turn, use shaft power to raise the fluid’s pressure or head. Performance is described by efficiency (often isentropic for turbines and compressors), pressure ratio or head, flow rate, and shaft power. Turbomachines typically operate at high speeds and require careful lubrication, cooling, and vibration control.

Key components include rotors with blades or vanes, casings, stators, diffusers, bearings, seals, and ancillary systems for cooling, lubrication, and control. Aerodynamic blade design, material capability, and thermal management are critical to reliability and performance, especially at high temperatures and pressures.

Applications span power plants (steam and gas turbines), aviation and other propulsion systems (gas turbines), hydroelectric generation (hydraulic turbines), automotive (turbochargers), and industrial processes (compressors and pumps). The field has a long history of development in blade technology, materials, and turbomachinery theory, enabling high-efficiency energy conversion across multiple sectors.