Turbine Main Engines

Turbine Main Engines deals with the principle of operation of turbine main engines. Topics covered include practical considerations that affect turbine design and efficiency; steam turbine rotors, blades, nozzles, and diaphragms; lubricating oil systems; and gas turbines for use with nuclear reactors. Gas turbines for naval boost propulsion, merchant ship propulsion, and naval main propulsion are also considered. This book is divided into three parts and begins with an overview of the basic mode of operation of the steam turbine engine and how it converts the pressure energy of the ingoing steam into equivalent kinetic energy. The second part deals with the principle of operation of marine gas turbines and discusses the effect of pressure and temperature on turbine performance; creep of turbine components; fouling of compressors and turbines; and control systems and protective devices. The final part describes free piston-gas turbine machinery and looks at different types of free piston engine, together with turbine fouling and washing procedure. This monograph will be of interest to mechanical engineers and those involved in turbine operation and design.