Gas and steam turbines are large pieces of equipment. They operate differently and have separate costs, among other things. This blog will explore the key differences between gas and steam turbines to help you better understand the two machines.
A steam turbine extracts heat from steam and converts it into revolving mechanical energy. Coal or other fuel burning heats a boiler to produce steam. The steam becomes compressed and exhausted from the turbine after it rotates.
You may also know gas turbines as combustion turbines. They convert heat to energy from gas or a combination of gases into mechanical energy. A compressor condenses air from the atmosphere and passes it into a combustion chamber. Gaseous fuel combusts to flow over the moving turbine blades to increase the pressure and temperature of the air.
Gas turbine power plants use these turbines to produce electricity. Gas compressors and aircraft utilize gas turbines to power up and operate.
One significant difference between the two turbines is the startup process. A steam turbine isn’t easy to start and takes quite a bit of time. Compared to a steam turbine, a gas turbine takes significantly less time and is easier to start.
Steam turbines are more expensive to install due to their larger size. These costs include installation, transportation, and labor. The bigger the turbine, the more it costs. Another difference is steam turbines are more energy-efficient than gas turbines.
Let’s look at the difference in operating expenses. It costs more to run and operate a steam turbine than a gas one, and steam turbines require more maintenance. Maintenance may be low, but there are several problems to watch out for with gas turbines.
Gas turbines have high internal temperatures, around 1500 degrees Celsius! Steam turbines have relatively lower internal temperatures, ranging from 500 to 650 degrees Celsius.
Now that you’ve discovered the key differences between gas and steam turbines, you can feel a bit smarter today. The biggest difference between the two is steam turbines use high-pressure steam to produce rotation, and gas turbines utilize hot gases.
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