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The Mysterious Invention: How did Claude Bourdain coin the name 'Turbine'?
In 1822, the French mining engineer Claude Bourdain coined a key term, "turbine", which is derived from the Greek "τύρβη" (tyrbē), meaning "whirlpool" or "rotation" ". The creation of this name not only became synonymous with rotating mechanical devices, but also changed the way energy was obtained. In the process, Bourdain's research pioneered modern turbine technology and led to many important subsequent engineering innovations.
A turbine is a rotating mechanical device that extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful work. This device can be combined with a generator to generate electrical energy.
Historical background of turbines
In the 1st century AD, Heroon of Alexandria demonstrated the turbine principle, and in 70 BC, Vitruvius mentioned a similar principle. Early examples of turbines included windmills and waterwheels. Bourdain's memorandum "Des turbines hydrauliques ou machines rotatoires à grande vitesse" (Des turbines hydrauliques or machines rotatoires à grande vitesse) was submitted to the French Academy of Sciences in Paris in 1822, although he did not receive formal recognition of the name until 1824.
How the turbine operates
The operating principle of a turbine is based on the conversion of energy. A working fluid contains potential energy (pressure head) and kinetic energy (velocity head). These principles allow the turbine to efficiently collect energy. Impulse turbines generate power by changing the flow direction of a high-velocity fluid or gas nozzle, while reaction turbines rely on the pressure or mass reaction of the fluid to develop torque. According to Newton's third law of motion, reaction turbines are more suitable for applications with higher flow rates or lower fluid heads.
Different types of turbines
Various turbines have their own characteristics based on their design and usage scenarios. Steam turbines are widely used in thermal power plants and can efficiently convert thermal energy from burning coal, oil, or nuclear power. In addition, aviation gas turbines also play an important role in every corner of the sea, land and air. Other turbine types, such as ammonia turbines, wind turbines, and ceramic turbines, each present their own unique design concepts and functions.
While the reaction turbine may make the design larger and heavier in some aspects, its overall efficiency is slightly higher than an equivalent pulse turbine in certain thermal energy conversions.
Application and future of turbines
The widespread application of turbine technology has made it one of the cornerstones of global power generation. Whether in industrial power generation or in the core systems of spacecraft, turbines play a critical role. As technology continues to advance, the design and efficiency of turbines are also constantly improving. We can foresee that in the future more innovative turbine technologies will be developed to provide solutions to our energy needs.
To this day, Claude Bourdain's innovations still influence the way we live and use energy. Does this inspire us to further explore the turbine technology of the future?
