What happens to steam velocity as it passes through moving blades in a turbine?

As steam passes through the moving blades in a turbine, it experiences a significant increase in velocity. This phenomenon occurs due to the conversion of thermal energy from the steam into kinetic energy as it strikes the blades. The design of the turbine blades is optimized to extract energy from the steam, causing an acceleration of the steam's flow as it moves through the turbine stages.

In a well-designed turbine, the high-pressure steam enters and expands as it passes through the blades, resulting in a drop in pressure and an increase in velocity. This increase is essential to maximizing the energy extracted from the steam, which in turn generates greater power output. The configuration and angle of the blades are crucial in ensuring that the steam's direction and speed are effectively harnessed.

Understanding this principle is fundamental in turbine operation, as it explains how energy transformation occurs within the system and emphasizes the importance of turbine design in achieving optimal performance.