This laboratory-scale apparatus allows students to investigate the performance of a steam powerplant, using a steam turbine to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. The unit includes instrumentation for data acquisition and safety features to ensure temperatures and pressures can never exceed safe working limits. A clean and convenient electric boiler generates steam which passes under pressure into and through a single-stage steam turbine.
The turbine is connected to a dynamometer which provides the load and enables investigation of the performance characteristics of the turbine. Exhaust steam passes through a condenser and is returned to the water tank. Instrumentation is included to measure:
- Electrical power to the boiler
- Steam temperature, pressure and flow rate
- Turbine inlet and outlet steam temperature and pressure
- Turbine speed
- Dynamometer torque
- Electrical output from the dynamometer