Steam and Gas Turbines (5 ECTS)

Objective

The student will be familiar with the operating principles and structure of gas and steam. The student will be familiar with the operating principles and control of turbines, and knows how to maintain turbines. The student will understand the importance of the turbines in energy production.

Content

-Different types of turbines
-Criteria for the dimensioning and performance of compressors and turbines
-The working principle and structures of steam turbines
-The efficiency of steam turbines
-Steam turbine power control, defects and maintenance
-Turbine bypass system, sealing and leakage steam system, ejectors, nozzles and tap
-Condensate and feed water system, pre-heating, reheating and condensing
-Turbine bearing and lubrication system
-Turbine control and assurance system for oil
-Gas turbines and their ideal and actual cycles
-Gas turbine combustion chambers, their performance and emissions
-The combined steam and gas turbine processes, as well as various plant options and connections
-Materials used in turbines
-Vibration and forces of rotating machines

Location and time

Fall 2025 according to schedule. Most lectures can be followed remotely.

Materials

Material assigned by the teacher.

Recommended literature:

Kauppinen, J. 2022. Handbook of steam turbines - structure, operation and maintenance. ISBN 978-952-7394-10-6

Huhtinen, M., Korhonen, R., Pimiä, T., Urpalainen, S. Voimalaitostekniikka. Opetushallitus. 2008.

Teaching methods

Lectures on campus.
Excursion to a local power plant.
Exercises.
Homeworks.
Groupwork.

Employer connections

Excursion to a local power station and visiting lecturers.

Exam schedules

Will be discussed at the first lecture.

Completion alternatives

The majority of the course can be completed independently online via the Moodle learning environment. More details on the first lecture.

Student workload

Lectures 30 h
Excursion 4 h
Exercises 20 h
Exam 3 h
Project works 30 h
Homework 20 h
Independent study 20 h

Further information

In this course, artificial intelligence may be used as a learning aid for finding information, deepening understanding, and planning one’s own assignments. However, AI must not be used directly to complete assignments, exams, or other graded tasks without the instructor’s permission. The use of AI must always be disclosed, and the student must be able to demonstrate understanding of the content produced.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student can distinguish between different types of steam turbine and is familiar with the losses of steam turbines.
The student is able to calculate the ideal gas turbine cycle.
The student is able to calculate the ideal and actual steam turbine cycle.
The student is familiar with steam turbine power control methods and failures, and the basics of the maintenance of steam turbines.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student understands the importance of velocity triangles in calculating the performance of steam turbine stage, and is able to calculate the turbine efficiencies
The student is familiar with steam turbine power control methods, as well as their starting and stopping procedures.
The student knows the condensate and feed water system, and the operations of steam turbine auxiliary and safety systems
The student is able to calculate the actual gas turbine cycle by taking into account the losses of components
The student is familiar with the causes of faults, and their repair potential, in steam and gas turbines.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student knows the basics of dimensioning the combustion chamber of gas and steam turbines.
The student is familiar with the combined steam and gas turbine plant process variations, and understands the impact of the selected parameters on performance and economy of use
The student knows the steam turbine power control methods, starting and stopping procedures.
The student is familiar with the causes of faults in steam and gas turbines, as well as their repair potential and inspection.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student can distinguish between different types of steam turbine and is familiar with the losses of steam turbines.
The student is able to calculate the ideal gas turbine cycle.
The student is able to calculate the ideal and actual steam turbine cycle.
The student is familiar with steam turbine power control methods and failures, and the basics of the maintenance of steam turbines.

Assessment methods and criteria

The course is evaluated numerically on the scale of 0-5. Final grade consists of the following assignments

Exam 60 %
Homework 20 %
Project works 20 %.

Qualifications

The student has the basic mathematical and science skills. The student will understand the thermodynamics of the most important heat engines and devices used in power plants.