i realize that when water boils, it's volume increases drastically and large pressures can accumulate. but how does this pressure spin something. i'd like to understand this process a little better.
2007-01-29 21:02:55 · 6 answers · asked by JizZ E. Jizzy 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Think of a windmill, where the blades are pushed by the wind causing them to turn. A steam turbine is the same idea, but high pressure steam is used instead of air. As the steam rushes from the high pressure boiler into the low pressure cooler, it pushes the blades of the turbine and causes them to turn.
2007-01-29 21:10:25 · answer #1 · answered by Gnomon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this case its not the water itself that does the spinning, it is the steam. The water is heated in a boiler, which is capable of containing the steam pressure. Once the pressure is sufficient for doing the work of moving the turbine, it is routed through the turbine. Once on the other side of the turbine the gas is allowed to expand, which cools it, turning the steam back into water again, where it is returned back to the boiler. Water itself can also be used to turn a turbine, without boiling it, merely by using gravity. This is how hydroelectric generators operate.
2007-01-29 21:15:36 · answer #2 · answered by David W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the steam flows from high pressure to the vented low pressure it presses against the turbine blades amd causes the turbine to rotate. Think of it as a fan operating in reverse, where the flow of the stream pushing against the blades causes the turbine to spin.
As the flow of steam is deflected off the angled turbine vanes it imparts a rotational force to the turbine. It's the flow of the steam under pressure that supplies the force to move the turbine.
Pressure is defined as force applied over an area P = F/A. As the pressure drops from input to output of the turbine, force is supplied to the turbine blades.
2007-01-29 21:17:02 · answer #3 · answered by Radzewicz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of a turbine spinning from the boiling water. However the steam which is realeased from the boiling water can spin a turbine.
2007-01-29 21:10:58 · answer #4 · answered by kidchaos69 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Boiled steam is released at very high pressures , this in turn can turn a turbine, turning a turbine can make a electro magnetically motor turn and produce electricity.
2007-01-30 07:06:51 · answer #5 · answered by Robin RJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
kinda the same reason your window fan still spins when it's turned off
2007-01-29 21:38:44 · answer #6 · answered by brandon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋