Parsons' steam turbine generator, 1884

Made:
1884 in Newcastle upon Tyne
maker:
Clarke, Chapman, Parsons and Company, Parsons & Co.
Parsons' original Steam Turbine generator with spare guide ring

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Parsons' original Steam Turbine generator with spare guide ring
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Parsons' original Steam Turbine generator, with spare guide ring and fan, by Clarke, Chapman, Parsons & Co.,1884

This machine is the forerunner of the turbo-generators that today provide most of the world's electricity. It is the first experimental prototype produced by Charles Parsons, who promoted the turbine as a smaller and more efficient alternative to the steam reciprocating engine. In the turbine, the expanding steam works continuously as it passes through many turbine stages. This gives far higher efficiency than was possible with the steam engine. The turbine combines freedom from vibration with high speed (in this case, 18,000 revolutions per minute) suited to electrical generators. The turbine was also employed in marine propulsion. In 1894 Parsons launched his first turbine-powered boat, the SS Turbinia, which reached previously-unattainable speeds of up to 34 knots.

Details

Category:
Motive Power
Object Number:
1890-59
Materials:
steel (metal), gunmetal, brass (copper, zinc alloy), cast iron and copper (metal)
Measurements:
overall: 800 x 400 x 1730 mm (approximate)
type:
engines, steam engines, generators and turbines
credit:
Siemens plc; Parsons, C.A. and Co. Ltd.