A turbomachine is a device that exchanges energy with a fluid using continuously flowing fluid and
rotating blades. Examples of these devices include aircraft engines and wind turbines.
If the device extracts energy from the fluid it is generally called a turbine. If the device delivers
energy to the fluid it is called a compressor, fan, blower or pump depending on the fluid used and the
magnitude of the change in pressure that results. Turbomachinery is the generic name for all these
machines.
Somewhat confusingly the word turbine is sometimes applied to a complete engine system on an
aircraft or in a power station, e.g. “a Boeing 747 is equipped with four gas turbines for thrust”. A
glossary is in Appendix A on page 137 at the end of the book to help you navigate your way through
the turbomachinery jargon.
Turbomachinery is essential to the operation of the modern world. Turbines are used in all sig-
nificant electricity production throughout the world in steam turbine power plants, gas turbine power
plants, hydro-electric power plant and wind turbines. Pumps are used to transport water around mu-
nicipal water systems and in homes, pumps and turbines are also essential in the transportation of
fuel oil and gas around pipe networks. Gas turbine engines are used to power all large passenger aircraft either in the form of turbo-prop or turbo-fan engines and also through a gearbox they power
all helicopter engines.
In short turbomachinery is all around you and is an area worthy of further study! Figure 1.1 shows
four important applications of turbomachinery, in the top left gas turbine propulsion for aeroplanes,
in the top right wind turbine power of electricity production, in the bottom left the rotor of a steam
turbine for power production and a water pump is shown in the bottom right.
See Ebook here:
rotating blades. Examples of these devices include aircraft engines and wind turbines.
If the device extracts energy from the fluid it is generally called a turbine. If the device delivers
energy to the fluid it is called a compressor, fan, blower or pump depending on the fluid used and the
magnitude of the change in pressure that results. Turbomachinery is the generic name for all these
machines.
aircraft or in a power station, e.g. “a Boeing 747 is equipped with four gas turbines for thrust”. A
glossary is in Appendix A on page 137 at the end of the book to help you navigate your way through
the turbomachinery jargon.
Turbomachinery is essential to the operation of the modern world. Turbines are used in all sig-
nificant electricity production throughout the world in steam turbine power plants, gas turbine power
plants, hydro-electric power plant and wind turbines. Pumps are used to transport water around mu-
nicipal water systems and in homes, pumps and turbines are also essential in the transportation of
fuel oil and gas around pipe networks. Gas turbine engines are used to power all large passenger aircraft either in the form of turbo-prop or turbo-fan engines and also through a gearbox they power
all helicopter engines.
In short turbomachinery is all around you and is an area worthy of further study! Figure 1.1 shows
four important applications of turbomachinery, in the top left gas turbine propulsion for aeroplanes,
in the top right wind turbine power of electricity production, in the bottom left the rotor of a steam
turbine for power production and a water pump is shown in the bottom right.
See Ebook here:
