Thermodynamics

Adiabatic Turbine Specific Work

Relate turbine work output per unit mass to the enthalpy drop.

Try this formula

Calculate shaft work output per unit mass or choose another supported quantity.

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Use decimals or scientific notation, such as 1.2e3. Calculations update as you type.

Shaft work output per unit mass

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Enter the known values to see the result.

The turbine operates at steady state with one inlet and one outlet. Heat transfer and changes in kinetic and potential energy are negligible. Use mass-specific enthalpies on the same reference basis; no isentropic assumption is required.

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Source & review

Difficulty

Intermediate

Read time

5 min

Prerequisites

Basic algebra and introductory thermodynamics

Review statusNeeds review

Source

Teng-Jui Lin — CHEM E 326 — Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

Reference equation: Rankine cycle — Turbine. FormuLab wrote new explanations, assumptions, applications, and numerical examples. Used positive work output and J/kg units; the upstream dotted specific-work notation is not treated as power.

Adapted from Teng-Jui Lin, Equation Sheets — Mechanical Engineering Expansion, under CC BY 4.0.

Adapted standard equations and added original lesson text, variables, SI examples, and assumptions. Used positive work output and J/kg units; the upstream dotted specific-work notation is not treated as power.

Definition

Understanding the core concept

The flowing fluid loses enthalpy while delivering shaft work. With the stated energy terms neglected, each joule per kilogram of enthalpy drop appears as a joule per kilogram of shaft work output.

Variables & Units

Understanding each component
SymbolMeaningUnits
Shaft work output per unit mass
Inlet specific enthalpy
Outlet specific enthalpy

Real-World Applications

Where this formula is used in practice

Steam turbines

Calculate specific work from supplied inlet and outlet enthalpies.

Cycle balances

Obtain turbine work for a Rankine-cycle energy balance.

Worked Example

Step-by-step calculation with real numbers

Problem

A steady adiabatic turbine has inlet enthalpy 3,200 kJ/kg and outlet enthalpy 2,200 kJ/kg. Find specific shaft work output.

Given

Solution

1
2

Final Answer

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