ABSTRACT
Turbines are used to convert the energy contained in a continuous flow of fluid into rotational mechanical energy of a shaft. Turbines are used in a wide range of applications, in a wide variety of sizes. Large single-stage turbines are used for power generation in hydroelectric dams, while large multistage turbines are used in steam power plants. Aircraft propulsion engines (turbofans, turbojets, and turboprops) use multistage turbines in their power and gas generator sections. Other, less obvious uses of turbines for aircraft are in auxiliary power units, ground power units, starters for main engines, turboexpanders in environmental controls, and constantspeed drives for electrical and hydraulic power generation. Rocket engines use turbines to power pumps to pressurize the propellants before they reach the combustion chamber. Two familiar consumer applications of turbines are turbochargers for passenger vehicles and wind turbines (windmills).
