In a pressure-velocity compounded turbine, how many pressure-compounded stages can there be?

In a pressure-velocity compounded turbine, the design allows for multiple stages where both pressure and velocity changes occur to optimize the overall efficiency of the turbine. The principle behind pressure-velocity compounding is to decrease the pressure gradually across numerous stages while simultaneously converting thermal energy into mechanical energy effectively.

This means that there can theoretically be as many pressure-compounded stages as needed based on the specific application, the desired pressure drop, the design constraints, and the overall efficiency targets. By adding more stages, the turbine can better handle larger pressure drops, allowing for efficient energy extraction from the working fluid.

Each stage contributes to the overall conversion of energy while managing the stresses and performance characteristics at each stage of the turbine. This modular approach enables the design to be flexible and scalable for different operational requirements, making it suitable for various industrial applications.