Curtis Turbine

The Curtis Steam Turbine Author(s): W. L. R. Emmet Source: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 42, No.
172 (Jan. - Apr., 1903), pp. 68-84 Published by: American Philosophical Society Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/983643 . Accessed: 04/08/2013 13:17
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68
i.
EMMET-THE
CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.
2, [April
Yield ideals. Quality ideals. 3. Seasonal ideals. ideals. 4. Physical conformation 5. Regional adaptation ideals-as to climate, altitude, soil. 6. Resistant ideals-as to diseases and insects. and evolution of agricultureare going to The main improvement come as the resultof greaterand bettercrop yield and greater and betteranimal production. It is not to come primarilyfrominvention, good roads, rural telephone, legislation, discussion of economics. All these are merelyaids. Increased crop and animal in the production are to come from two agencies: improvemnent care that they receive; improvementin the plants and animals themselves. In other words,the new agricultureis to be built upon the combined resultsof bettercultivationand betterbreeding. So far as the new breeding is concerned, it is characterized by perfect definiteness of purpose and effort,the stripping away of all and factitious standards,the absence of speculative theory arbitrary and the insistenceupon the great fact that every plant and animal has individuality.
2. CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ITHACA, N. Y.
THE CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

BY W. L. R. EMMET.
(Read April 2, 1903.)
The development which this paper describes is based upon the original theoriesand inventionsof Mr. C. G. Curtis, of New York, made the subject of patent application about whose ideas were first Since that time these inventions have been the subject of I895. experimentalinvestigationat Schenectady, under the direction of Mr. Curtis and of the General Electric Company's engineers; the object of these experiments being to establishdata and laws which would forma basis forthe correctdesign of commercialapparat"Us. of such an investigationare verygreat. All new The difficulties factsmustbe established by the testsof different mnachines or parts and expensiveto produce. About two yearsago which are difficult
1903.]
EMMET-THE
69
the results of theseexperiments showedgreat gave us data which commercial possibilities, and sincethattimeworkhas gone on on a largescale in theproduction ofcommercial machines. The contracts forthesemachines nowaggregate 230,000 H. P. in turbinedriven electric generating units, the largestsize so farbuilt being 7500 H. P. Thus a great -industry has been brought intoexistence in a very short time,and sincetheworkhas all been done in one it has place and by a few persons very littleinformation concerning reachedthe public. This paper is thefirst printed matter which has appearedon thesubject. The reasonforthis immenise demandand production, without and in so short a time,is thattheimprovements publicity effected are radicalin econorny, and efficiency simplicity ofaction. All improvements in prime moversare of greatimportance to world. The steamturbine the theengineering is destined to effect first really greatimprovement sincethedaysof Watt, and theforms of Curtis turbinehere describedmake the first great stridein advanceof other steamengines. steamenginemnust Everyefficient provide meansbv whicha fair proportion of the expansive forceof steamcan be converted into work. In theengines useful of James Wattand hissuccessors this is accomplished in various result degrees ofpresbytheapplication the steam to moving pistons. In steamturbines sure from the force motionto thesteamitself, and thismotion imparts expansive is given up to a revolving partby impactsof the movingsteam uponit. The idea of thesteamturbine is quite simple, and is similar to turbine orimpulse thatofthewater wheel. The practical difficulty which has heretofore the development prevented of good steam lies in the very turbines whichsteamcan impart to highvelocity and thedifficulty in expansion, in efficiently itself this transferring at speedspracticable motion to wheels forconstruction or practical from use. Steamexpanding I50 poundsgaugepressure persquare is capableof imparting inchinto theatmosphere to itselfa speed of 2950 feetper second,and if it is expanded fromI50 pounds into a 28-inch vacuumit can attaina velocity gauge pressure of 40I0 feet persecond. The spoutingvelocity of waterdischarged a nozzle with ioo feethead is 8o feetper second. These from the very illustrate radical difference figures of conditionbetween water turbines and steamturbines. In both waterand steam tur-
70
EM MET-THE
[April2,
bines the theoretical condition of maximum economy exists when the jet of fluidmoves with a velocityequal to about twice that of the vane against which it acts. In water-wheelsthis relation is easily establishedunder all conditions, while with steam the total power produces a velocityso high that the materials available for simple wheels and vanes are not capable of sustaining a proper speed relationto it under practicable conditions. Before the appearance of the Curtisturbinetwo practicalmethods of accomplishing fair economy had been devised, namely, the turbinesof Carl De Laval, of Sweden, and of Hon. Charles Algernon Parsons, of England, both of which were brought out more than fifteen yearsago. In the De Laval turbinethe total power of the steam is devoted to the production of velocityin an expanding nozzle, which produces velocityveryefficiently. The jet so produced is delivered against a set of vanes on a single wheel wlhich, by an ingenious and method of suspension,is adapted to operationat a construction veryhigh peripheralvelocity. The veryhigh rotativespeed which this construction entails is made available for dynamo drivingby very perfectly made spiral-cutgears which effect a ten-to-onespeed reduction. The peripheral velocity of the wheel in the largest De Laval turbinesis about I200 feetper second, while the velocity which energycan impart to steam is over 4000 feet per second. Thus the wheel fallsfarshortof the theoretically economical speed. In the Parsons turbinethe steam is carried in an axial direction throughthespace provided,betweena succession of internalrevolving cylindersand externalstationary cylinderswhich enclose them. Both the internaland the externalcylindricalsurfacesare covered by many successive circles of vanes so arranged that the steam has to pass alternatelythrough rows of moving and stationary vanes. In passing throughthis turbine the steam never acquires a speed which approaches the velocity which it attains in the De Laval nozzle; but instead moves along alternately, acquiring velocity by cxpansion, and partiallygiving it up by impact with the moving vanes. Both of these turbineshave attained some success, but neither, as thus far developed, affordssufficient advantage over the steam engine to cause any veryrapid or radical change in engineering conditions. The important disadvantages of the De Laval typeare, that it is
1903.]
EMMET-THE
71
limited by the imperfectionsof high-speed gearing, that its efficiency is not particularlyhigh, and that the design is not convenientlyapplicable to large sizes. The Parsons typeis principally limited by the multiplicity and weight of its parts,and the high cost of construction. The Curtis turbine retains some of the featuresof its predecessors, but introduces new ideas which make possiDle a much lower speed, less weight,fewerand simplerparts,highereconomy, less cost, and other important advantages. of this The general arrangement of a turbine generating-unit type is shown by the drawings which accompany this paper. Its functions may be briefly described as follows,and are illustrated by the accom-lpanying cut:
STEAM CHEST
NJOZZLE t 0MOVNG BLADES
L((((((((((((((((E
STAT/IONARY
BLADES
MOViNG BLADES STATIONARYBLADES MOVING BL-ADE-S
L~~~~~oIAPHR
APAGAM
MOVINVG"
BLA
MOWN
DES
_ DE
G5LALADES
):K) )
Diagramof Nozzles and Bucketsin CurtisSteamTurbine.
72
EMIMET-THE
CURTIS
STEAM
TURBINE.
[April 2,
Velocity is imparted to the steam in an expanding nozzle so designed as to efficiently convert nearly all the expansive force, between the pressurelimits used, into velocity in the steam itself. Afterleaving the nozzle, the steam passes successivelythroughtwo or more lines of vanes on the moving element,which are placed alternatelywith reversedvanes on the stationary element. In passing successivelythroughthese moving and stationaryelements,the velocity acquired in the nozzle is fractionallyabstracted, and largelygiven up to the moving element. Thus the steam is first thrownagainst the firstset of vanes of the moving element,and then reboundsalternatelyfrommoving to stationary vanes until it is broughtnearlyto rest. By this means a high steam velocity is made to efficiently impartmotion to a comparatively slowly moving element. The nozzle is generallymade up of manysections adjacent to each other,so that the steam passes to the wheels in a broad belt when all nozzle sections are in flow. This process of expansion in nozzle and subsequent abstraction of velocity by successive impacts with wheel vanes is generally repeated two or more times, the devices foreach repetition being generallydesignated as a stage. There may be various numbersof stages and various numbersof lines of moving vanes in each stage. The number of stages and the numberof lines of vanes in a stage are governed by the degree of expansion, the peripheral velocity Ahich is desirable or practicable, and by various conditions of mechanical expediencv. Generally speaking, lower peripheral speeds entail more stages, more lines of vanes per stage, or both. Our general practice is to so divide up the steam expansion,that all stages handle about equal parts of the total power of the steam. The losses and leakages of the earlier stages take the form of more heat or more steam for the later stages, and are thus in part regained. Much water of expansion, which might occasion loss by re-evaporation,is drained out of each stage into that which succeeds it. The governingis effectedby successive closing of nozzles and consequent narrowingof the active steam belt. The cut shows part of the nozzle open and part closed; the arrowsshowing space filledby live steam. In the process of governing, the nozzles of the laterstages may or may not be opened and closed so as to maintain an adjustment proportional to that of the first stage, which is
1903.1
EMMET-THE
73
always the primary source of governing. Some improvementof light-load economy may be effectedby maintaining a relative adjustmentof all nozzles; but in many cases the practical difference in economy is not great, and automaticadjustment of nozzle opening in later stages is dispensed with in the interestof simplicity. In some machines an approximate adjustment is maintained by valves in later stages, which open additional nozzles in response to increases of pressurebehind them. These are used as much forlimitingthe pressuresin stage clhambersas formaintaining the light load economy. The principle of the Curtissteam turbineis susceptibleof application to a varietyof purposes Within the scope of this paper I intend to give only a general idea concerning existing designs for its application to electric generators. Its development,even for this purpose, is very recent,and will doubtless be subject to important future improvements. In its presentstate, however,it embodies many importantadvantages, as has already been stated. The most importantof these advantages is the high steam economy which it affords unider average conditionsof service. This economy is shown by the accompanying curves, which are derived from actual testsof the first commercial machine of this type which was conmpleted. This machine drives a dynamo of 6oo Kw. capacity. The curvesgive its performance at a speed of I500 R.P.M., which is a safe and practical speed for commercial operation, and which correspondsto a peripheralvelocity of about 420 feetper second. The results,with superheat,given in these curves are not derived actually from tests of this turbine, but are plotted from data obtained on smaller turbines. They correspond to the results obtained on turbinesof otlher typesand are undoubtedlyreliable. Curve i shows the steam consumptionof this machine in pounds per kilowatt-hour outputat various loads and under the conditions stated, the lower curve giving the steam consumption at various loads with 150 degrees superheat. Curve 2 shows the resultswhich could be obtained fromthis turbine if it were operated with high pressure and a high degree of superheat,these conditions of operation being perfectly practical with the machine, while with steam engines the use of such high would with ordinaryconstructions be prohibitive. temperatures The resultsshown by these curves are betterthan any heretofore produced by steam turbinesof any make or size, and are verymuch
74
EMIMET---THE
CURTIS
STEAM
TURBINE.
pkpril2,
betterthan those obtainablefromthe types of steam engines ofelectricity. generally appliedto theproduction show a very highefficiency It shouldbe notedthatthesecurves at lightloads, as comparedwithresultsobtainablefromsteam does not falloffat overload, as it and thattheefficiency engines, do with all engineswhichoperateeconomically mustnecessarily and overload full-load conditions. This light-load undernormal and arises of the Curtisturbine, is an important feature economy of itsworking the partsis virtually from thefactthatthefunctions of load. sameunderall conditions of Curves3, 4 and 5 show the effect upon steam consumption of superheat and in the the degrees in thesteam changes pressure, curves thatthesuperheat and vacuum vacuum. It will be observed as to indicatea greatadvantage linesso inclined bythe are straight and also an immense of superheat use ofall degrees advantagein reasonwhythe theuse of very highvacuum. The mostimportant is the steamenginein economy so greatly turbine Curtis surpasses the highest thatit is adaptedto use effectively possibledegreesof to while in thesteamengineit is practically impossible expansion, provideforhigh degreesof expansion. As the exhaustpressure a perfect the volume naturally at a increases approaches vacuum, of steamwitha 29"t vacuum being double rapidrate-the volume thatwitha 28" vacuum. To handlehighdegrees of expansion, it to make cylinders be necessary of steamengines would,therefore, ofsize and weight and thisincrease of parts a pracfixes very large, excessive costand comticallimitwhichcannotbe passedwithout tllehighest degreesof steamexpansion plication. In theturbine, and consequently a muchlarger are easilyprovided proportion for, of thetotalworkin steamcan be utilized byturbines thanbysteam turbine which makehigh Thereare other conditions in theCurtis of vacuum moreeasilyattainable thanthey are underordidegrees that leakage of naryconditions. The machineis so constructed air intothe vacuumchamberis easilyrendered impossible. The enginesis considerable, and is genleakageof air intocondensing vacuum erallynotcheckedowingto the small value of improved to an engine. Withturbines no oil comesintoconof thetypeheredescribed, tact with the steam, and consequently condensedwatercan be surface and returned condensers to boilers. The use of takenfrom
engines.
1903.]
EMMET-THE
76
surfacecondensers under such conditions rendersunnecessarythe introductionof air either in feed or circulatingwater, and consequentlymakes possible a veryhigh vacuum with small air-pumping apparatus. The resultsshown by these curves are obtained froma machine of 6oo Kw. capacity, and are naturallyinferiorto resultswhich are expected fromthe verylarge units which are now being built. It is hoped thatverysoon afterthe reading of this paper a 5000 Kw. unit, which is now complete, will be put into operation in Chicago. This machine is expected to give considerablybetter steam economies than are shown by the accompanyingcurves,and will be superior particularly in the matter of light-load performance. The in this machine fromhalf load to fifty variation of efficiency per cent. overload will not exceed threeper cent. The external appearance and dimensions of this 5000 Kw. unit are shown by one of the drawings which accompany this paper, and another drawing shows this unit compared with an enginedriven generatingunit of similar capacity. Each unit is shown as mover and generator,one being the machine complete withprimne forChicago, above mentioned; the other, one of the units which are operating in the Manhattan Railway Company's Power Station at New York. The comparison sufficiently illustratesthe improvement which the turbine has introduced. The respective weightsof these completed units, exclusive of foundation,are in the ratio of i: 8, and the saving in foundations alone is a very important item. Other drawings which accompany this paper show a 500 Kw. unit recentlyinstalled at Newport,and also a comparison drawn to the same scale between this 500 Kw. unit and a cross compound engine unit of equal capacity designed to operate at ioo R.P.M. The contrasthere is evren more striking. If the extreme simplicityof the Curtis turbineis considered in and comparisons,it is easy to apprecombination with these figures ciate that a verygreat engineeringadvance has been accomplished. estimated that engine units, like those It has been conservatively in the Manhattan Company's station, can be replaced by turbines like that in Chicago, and that the cost of such replacement can be paid forby saving in operatingexpenses in threeyears. Whenever an improvementhas been effectedin prime movers, the influenceupon engineering and business conditions has been verymarked. When the release cut-off principle was introduced
76
EMMET-THE
CURTIS STEAM1 TURBINE.
[April 2,
in engine ecolnomy was effected, by Corliss, a certain improvement and although this improvementwas accompanied by no diminution in cost, the change resultedin a verygreat activityin engine building, and the renewal of most of the large mill engines in the safe to predict that the influenceof the country. It is, therefore, steam turbinewill be of radical importance. The steam turbineis, on account of its high speed, particularly adapted to the driving of electric generators, and its introduction will consequently stimulate the use of electricity rather than other power transmitters. In the past the most economical use of steam has been confined to the most expensive and elaborate plants, while in the future it will be withinthe reach of all where condensing water is available.
Comparative sizesof5000 Kw 75 R P M CorhssEngine and 5000 Kw.,
500
R.P.M. CurtisTurbine.
Comparative sizes of 5000 Kw., 75 R.P.M. Corliss Engine and 5000 Kw., 500 R.P.M, Curtis Turbine.
1903.]
EMMET-THE
77
70
Ct
1C
<i4_,f2*l
.l , + >~2
. :
__
=-1: 11. s
ff _____ ii_
:>
-~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~
Plan and Elevation Of 5000 Kw-, 5oo R.P.M. CurtisTurbinewithGenerator.
'78
EMMET-THE
2, [April
CIO p.;
00
00~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P.;
00 oa
-~~~~~~~~~~~~~ K.-'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-
a903.1
EMMET-TUE
79
I's
011~~~~
80
EMMET-TTHE
2, FApril
o3
? C3
.l
*k'00X'4
:CL
:R:Smei -7-
Plan and Elevationi of 5OO Kw., iSoo R.P.M.
Curtis Turbine uAitli Generator.
1903.]
EMMET-THE
81
of 500 Kw., Ioo R.P.M. Cross compound Comparison Engine and 5OOKw., i8oo R.P.M. Turbine. Curtis
PROC.
AMER.
PILILOS.
SOC. XLII.
172. F.
PRINTED
MAY
27, 1903.
82
EMMET-THE
2, [April
26
24 2.3 22
QJ,~~\
_o /00
__00 200
400 _0_ ir1w.
600
700
in poundsper Kw. hour,of 6oo CURVE i.-Curve showingwaterconsumption, -at I5oo R.P.M., withI40 lbs. gauge Kw. Curtis Steam Turbine,operating and 28.51/ ofvacuum_. pressure iWithoutsuperheat.
2 With 3500 F. superheat.
1503.]
EMMET-THE
CURTIS STEAMI TURBINE.
83
22 _
21 k2019
/7
/00
200
300
400
500
600
700
CURVE 2.-Curve showingwaterconsumption, in poundsper Kw. hour, of 6oo Kw. Curtis Steam Turbine, with different loads; speed I500 R.P.M.; 28.51; pressure200 lbs. gauge,witlh VaCUUm I5oO F. superheat.
621__-_-
]lllll1
/00 //0 120 /30 /40 /50 /60
/nitio/ Pressure
/70 /60 /90 200
(Gau3e)
CURVE 3.--Curve showingwaterconsumption, in poundsper Kw. hour,of 6oo
Kw. CurtisSteqmTurbine, at fullload wiihdifferent initialpressures; speed I5oo R.P.M.; vacuum28.5"1.
84
EMMET-THE
[April 2,
20-__________1
t/7__________ 0 20 40 &'perhet 60 80 /00 /2o /40 /60 Fo-hr.
Degrees
in poundsper Kw. hour,of 6oo CURVE4.--Curve showingwaterconsumption, degrees of superheatwhen Kw. Curtis Steam I'urbine, with different with full load at I500 R.P.M.; vacuum 28.5/"; pressureI40 lbs. operating gauge.
27
25 t24 _
__N__
Q)23 ____\ t22

21-
20
2/ 22
-23 24
N25 26
27 28
Vaccuum Ins. Mercury in poundsper Kw. hour,of 6oo CURVE 5.-Curve showingwaterconsumption, Kw. Curtis Steam Turbine,at full load with different degrees of vacuum; speed I5oo R.P.M; steampressure I40 lbs. gauge.
SCHENECTADY, N. V., APRIL 2, I903.
29

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The Curtis Steam Turbine Author(s): W. L. R. Emmet Source: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 42, No.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

THE CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

(Read April 2, 1903.)

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

NJOZZLE t 0MOVNG BLADES

MOViNG BLADES STATIONARYBLADES MOVING BL-ADE-S

Diagramof Nozzles and Bucketsin CurtisSteamTurbine.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

CURTIS STEAM1 TURBINE.

Comparative sizesof5000 Kw 75 R P M CorhssEngine and 5000 Kw.,

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

Plan and Elevation Of 5000 Kw-, 5oo R.P.M. CurtisTurbinewithGenerator.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

Plan and Elevationi of 5OO Kw., iSoo R.P.M.

Curtis Turbine uAitli Generator.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

400 _0_ ir1w.

CURTIS STEAMI TURBINE.

/00 //0 120 /30 /40 /50 /60

/70 /60 /90 200

CURVE 3.--Curve showingwaterconsumption, in poundsper Kw. hour,of 6oo

Kw. CurtisSteqmTurbine, at fullload wiihdifferent initialpressures; speed I5oo R.P.M.; vacuum28.5"1.

CURTIS STEAM TURBINE.

t/7__________ 0 20 40 &'perhet 60 80 /00 /2o /40 /60 Fo-hr.

Q)23 ____\ t22

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