What is the main function of turbine glands?

The primary role of turbine glands is to prevent steam from escaping the turbine. In a steam turbine, glands are typically located at the shaft seals where the rotor exits the turbine casing. Their main purpose is to contain the high-pressure steam within the turbine while allowing the rotor to turn without significant leakage.

When steam escapes, it not only reduces the efficiency of the turbine by lowering the energy that can be converted into mechanical work but can also lead to potential safety hazards and increased operational costs due to the loss of valuable steam. Maintaining a tight seal through effective gland operation is crucial for optimizing the performance of the turbine and ensuring effective energy conversion.

While vibration reduction, temperature regulation, and fuel efficiency are important aspects of turbine operation, they are not the primary function of the turbine glands. Instead, those functions are addressed through other design elements and operational practices in turbine systems.