MARINE STEAM TURBINES--SOME POINTS OF DESIGN AND OPERATION

The author believes that the time is ripe for a discussion of some of the problems affecting reliability in currently operating modern marine steam turbines. The paper begins with an examination of the types of vessel for which steam turbine main machinery has been selected, and the trend of requirements in the immediate future. It is shown that steam turbine-propelled vessels today represent large capital investments, and thus even more vitally than hitherto, are expected to maintain a high standard of reliability. Whether reliability has been appreciably forfeited in the quest for better rates is left open for further discussion. The author then goes on to enumerate some of the problems which have adversely affected the satisfactory operation of main steam turbines in the past, treating each point in some detail, starting with an examination of the machinery when running, followed by an inspection with the casing top half removed. There is a section on the important subject of blade vibration, which points out some of the difficulties which face the designer after he has satisfied the thermodynamic and aerodynamic requirements in blade design. There is also a section devoted to possible causes of rough running of steam turbine machinery, both during trials and after a period of satisfactory operation. This leads into an introduction to the balancing of rotors, including critical speeds, modal balancing (multi-plane balancing), and oil film whirl. The paper is concluded with a short section on limits and measurement of vibration in turbine machinery.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03093948
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Marine Engineers

  Memorial Building, 76 Mark Lane
  London EC3R 7JN,   England 
• Authors:
  • Donald, KMB
• Publication Date: 1973

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 25-37
• Serial:
  • Institute of Marine Engineers Transactions
  • Volume: 85
  • ISSN: 0309-3948

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design; Reliability; Steam power plants; Steam turbines
• Old TRIS Terms: Steam turbine design
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00050295
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Report/Paper Numbers: Series A, Part 2
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 14 1973 12:00AM