Turbine

:For the developers of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, see Turbine Inc..

Uses of turbines

Almost all electrical power on Earth is produced with a turbine of some type, the exceptions being solar panels and fuel cells. All jet engines rely on turbines to supply mechanical work from their fuel, as do all nuclear warships and power plants.

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Turbines are often part of a larger machine. A Gas turbine, for example, may refer to an internal combustion machine that contains a turbine, compressor, combustor and alternator.

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Piston engines, especially for aircraft, can use a turbine powered by their exhaust to drive an intake compressor, a configuration known as a turbocharger (turbine supercharger) or colloquially as a "turbo".

Related Topics:
Piston engine - Aircraft - Turbocharger - Supercharger

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Turbines can have incredible power density (with respect to volume and weight). This is because of their ability to operate at very high speeds. The Space Shuttle fuel pump turbine, for example, is slightly larger than an automobile engine and produces 25,000 hp (19 MW).

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