Turbine axial force problem

There are balance pipes and thrust bearings!

Thrust bearing, gap size, controlling its balance

Commonly seen components include balance drums, balance holes, balance pipes, and thrust bearings.

In centrifugal compressors, the axial forces on the rotor are generally balanced using thrust bearings. However, in order to reduce the load on these thrust bearings, a balance disk is often used to counteract most of the axial force, with the remaining portion being taken care of by the thrust bearings. A balance disk is a component that uses the pressure difference between the gases on its two sides to balance axial forces. It is mounted on the shaft at the high-pressure end of the compressor; one side of it is connected to the pressure at the high-pressure end outlet, while the other side leads to the atmosphere or the intake pipe. This helps to maintain a pressure difference between the two sides and reduces leaks. A labyrinth seal is installed between the outer edge of the balance disk and the fixing element to prevent gas leakage. The balance of axial force can also be achieved by allowing air to enter on both sides of the impeller or by installing the impeller in reverse. It should be noted that the purpose of balancing the axial force on the rotor is to reduce this force and lessen the load on the thrust bearings; however, a certain amount of axial force must still be applied to the thrust bearings, otherwise the rotor will move back and forth during operation.

It depends on the size of the turbine; smaller units generally rely on cat claws and clearance adjustments to control thrust. As for larger power generation turbines, it’s hard to say – I’ve never seen them

In addition to the methods mentioned above, the compressors we use are also of a back-to-back design

For the large 7KW units, we use thrust bearings here. There are small ones with rolling bearings as well

Does a steam turbine rely only on balance holes and thrust bearings?

The turbine is equipped with balance pistons, balance tubes, and thrust bearings. The compressor features a back-to-back design, balance discs, and thrust bearings.

The methods for balancing axial forces include balance holes, balance tubes, balance drums, balance discs, and the symmetrical arrangement of impellers – that’s basically it. If there are any other methods, please advise