15.6 Turbine Section Flashcards
What is the primary purpose of the gas generator turbine?
To absorb approximately 60 to 70% of the total pressure energy from the exhaust gases.
Where is the turbine section of a gas turbine engine located?
Aft, or downstream, of the combustion chamber.
What are the two types of turbines in gas turbine engines?
- Radial flow turbine
- Axial flow turbine
What is the first main component of a turbine?
A set of stationary vanes, known as the turbine nozzle guide vanes.
What is the main advantage of radial flow turbines?
Simple design and easy to manufacture.
What are the disadvantages of radial flow turbines compared to axial flow turbines?
- Allow only small airflows
- Less efficient due to high aerodynamic losses
What is the main application of axial flow turbines?
Used on modern gas turbine engines.
How does the turbine convert gas energy from the combustion chamber?
By converting it into torque.
What must the gas flow do before impacting the turbine rotor blades?
Pass through the stationary turbine nozzle guide vanes.
What type of turbine is driven only by the impact of gas flow on the rotor blades?
Impulse turbine.
How is pressure drop managed in the impulse configuration?
Occurs in the fixed nozzle guide vanes, increasing gas velocity and reducing pressure.
What is the role of the fixed nozzle guide vanes in the reaction configuration?
To alter the gas flow direction without changing the pressure.
What type of turbine configuration combines both impulse and reaction forces?
Reaction-impulse configuration.
What is a key characteristic of impulse turbines?
Require high-velocity gas to obtain maximum rate of momentum change.
What is a key characteristic of reaction turbines?
Do not require excessively high nozzle exit velocities.
What happens if the power load is not evenly distributed along the blade?
Causes gases to exit from the blade at different velocities and pressures.
What construction methods are used for turbine blades?
- Forged
- Cast
What is a benefit of casting turbine blades as a single crystal?
Provides better strength and heat properties.
What type of coating helps keep turbine blades cooler?
Heat barrier coatings, such as ceramic coating.
What is the disadvantage of shrouded turbine blades?
Limits turbine speed and requires more blades.
Why might more than one turbine stage be necessary?
A single turbine wheel cannot absorb enough power from the exhaust gases.
Fill in the blank: The turbine transforms a portion of the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases into _______.
[mechanical energy]
What are the main components of the turbine rotor element?
A shaft and a wheel
The wheel consists of blades attached to a rotating disc.
What causes the turbine wheel assembly to rotate at high speeds?
Exhaust gases leaving the turbine inlet nozzle vanes act on the blades
This results in high centrifugal loads and high temperatures.