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What Causes the Steam to Change Directions in a Reaction Turbine?

Steam turbines create small power output, but they are also the major source of power in many countries. These turbines can be engineered to meet a wide variety of needs, but the basic process of energy production remains the same regardless of the size of the turbines.

Reaction Turbine
- A reaction turbine is turned by the reactive force produced as steam changes velocity. Unlike other types of turbines, a reaction turbine has no nozzles. Instead, the blades are shaped and mounted so the spaces between them act like nozzles.
Blades
- In a reaction turbine, blades are mounted on a revolving rotor to capture the reactive force of the steam. The rotor revolves in a casing, or stator, surrounded by fixed blades in the same nozzle formation as the rotating blades. These fixed blades guide the steam into the moving blade system.
Movement
- Forces on the moving blades in turn move a reaction turbine. When steam passes though the nozzle-shaped spaces between the moving blades, it increases in velocity as it expands and pressure decreases, causing a reactive force. The steam also changes direction as it passes through the moving blades, again causing a reactive force. The push of the steam on the blades also exerts some direct force.
Change of Direction
- The blades' nozzle shapes cause an increase in the steam's velocity as it passes through the spaces between the blades. This increase in velocity causes a reaction force, or recoil, which acts on the blades to cause a change in pressure direction. The shape of the blades then directs the steam in the opposite direction.

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