A turbo-drive is a steam turbine for the mechanical drive of compressors and pumps. The flexible modular design adapts to the machine and mode: efficiency, optimized steam balance and variable rotation speed.
Steam turbines driving compressors and pumps of any type
Mechanical drive steam turbine is a turbomachine that converts thermal energy of steam into mechanical rotational energy to drive industrial equipment: compressors, pumps, fans and blowers.
High-pressure steam enters the turbine blades through nozzle apparatus. As the steam expands, its potential energy is converted into kinetic flow energy, which is then transferred to the rotor blades. The rotor rotates and transmits torque to the driven mechanism shaft.
Unlike turbines for power generation that operate at constant speeds (3000 or 1500 rpm), drive turbines can operate over a wide range of rotational speeds, allowing precise control of compressor or pump performance.
Modern drive turbines come in single-stage (for low power) and multi-stage (for high power and pressure differentials) configurations. Both impulse (active) and reaction stages are used depending on steam parameters and required characteristics.
Key components: rotor with blades, diaphragms with nozzle channels, shaft seals, journal bearings, control and protection system. All flow path elements are optimized to minimize aerodynamic losses.
Each turbine designed to customer requirements
Professional equipment for reliable industrial machinery drive
Up to 12,000 rpm with smooth control for precise driven mechanism management
Optimized flow path aerodynamics minimizes losses and increases efficiency
Reliable design ensures long service life with minimal maintenance
Power 0.5–50 MW, pressure up to 140 bar, temperature up to 540°C
Our drive turbines combine advanced technology and reliability
Unlike generation turbines, drive turbines operate at variable speed for precise process control
Delivery on frame with all auxiliary equipment — ready for installation immediately after delivery
Optimized blade and stage aerodynamics to minimize energy losses
Significant savings compared to electric drive by utilizing excess steam
From small feed pump drives to powerful compressor units
Design and manufacturing per API 612, GOST and international standards
Reduced construction and commissioning time due to modular design and factory testing
Optimized production process allows reduced manufacturing time
Select the driven machine, power and mode — get an indicative turbo-drive configuration and a quotation request with the selected parameters.
Get an indicative turbo-drive configuration. Final parameters are confirmed via the questionnaire.
1) Your machine and mode
2) Recommended configuration
Indicative selection. The exact configuration depends on steam parameters, machine curve and operating modes — confirmed via the questionnaire.
A turbo-drive is configured for the machine: the thermal scheme, number of stages and coupling are selected by steam parameters and load.
| Configuration | Scheme | When used | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back-pressure (R) | Exhaust to a steam consumer | Useful low-grade steam available (process, heating) | Maximum steam saving, simple scheme |
| Condensing (K) | Exhaust to a vacuum condenser | No exhaust-steam consumer, max work needed | Full enthalpy drop utilisation |
| Single-stage | Impulse stage (Curtis/Rateau) | Low-power auxiliary machines | Simplicity, minimum cost |
| Multi-stage | Impulse and reaction stages | Medium and high power, high pressure drop | High efficiency, wide operating range |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Shaft power | up to ~40–50 MW (typical range) |
| Rotation speed | variable, up to 12,000 rpm |
| Live steam pressure | up to 140 bar |
| Live steam temperature | up to 540 °C |
| Efficiency (isentropic) | up to ~85 % for multi-stage |
| Design service life | about 100,000+ equivalent hours |
| Exhaust schemes | back-pressure / condensing |
| Coupling to machine | direct drive or via gearbox |
| Standards | API 612 (oil & gas), GOST / customer specs |
Ranges are typical; exact limits depend on the frame size and are confirmed via the questionnaire. For oil & gas and petrochemicals, API 612 (special-purpose steam turbines) applies.
The turbo-drive is supplied as a ready unit on a baseplate — with lubrication, control and protection systems, ready for integration into the plant thermal scheme.
Delivered projects and equipment parameters — the evidence base of our supply experience.
Drive turbine units for feed pumps and process machines are part of RUSTRADE's delivered power projects. See facility parameters, scope and implementation results.
We've collected answers to the most common questions from our clients. If you haven't found an answer to your question — contact us.
Send the steam parameters (inlet pressure and temperature, available back-pressure), the driven machine type and the required power with speed. An engineer selects the turbo-drive configuration (single- or multi-stage turbine, back-pressure or condensing scheme, direct drive or via gearbox) and prepares a quotation. The easiest way is to start with the configurator above — it builds a request with the selected parameters.
As a minimum: driven machine type (pump, compressor, fan), required shaft power and speed, live steam parameters (pressure and temperature), exhaust mode (back-pressure or condensing) and operating mode. For precise selection add the machine curve (pump Q–H or compressor P–η), number of starts and standard requirements (API 612 for oil & gas).
We supply mechanical drive steam turbines (turbo-drives) for compressors and pumps of any type: centrifugal, axial, mounted, reciprocating, as well as boiler feed pumps — back-pressure and condensing, with gearbox and direct drive. Turbines are adapted to specific customer requirements.
Drive turbines come single-stage (for small power and auxiliary machines) and multi-stage (for high power and pressure drops), in back-pressure and condensing versions. Typical references: power up to ~40–50 MW, speed up to 12,000 rpm, live steam pressure up to 140 bar, temperature up to 540 °C. Exact limits depend on the frame size and are confirmed via the questionnaire.
RUSTRADE experience in supplying and supporting power projects is confirmed by delivered facilities at CHP, sugar, chemical and refining plants. Equipment parameters and implementation results are in the Cases section.
Our specialists will help you find the optimal solution for your enterprise and calculate the economic effect
Answers to frequently asked questions about turbogenerator units, delivery times and cooperation terms
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We undertake that the commercial information obtained during the preparation and implementation of the project is confidential and shall not be disclosed or transferred to third parties.
We undertake that the information obtained during the consultation is confidential and shall not be disclosed or transferred to third parties.
We undertake that the commercial information obtained during the preparation and implementation of the project is confidential and shall not be disclosed or transferred to third parties.
We guarantee the confidentiality of your data and will offer an optimal solution for your project in the shortest time.
We guarantee the confidentiality of your data and will offer an optimal solution for your project in the shortest time.
We undertake that the information obtained during the consultation is confidential and shall not be disclosed or transferred to third parties.
We guarantee the confidentiality of your data. Our specialists will help you find the optimal solution for your project.
We guarantee the confidentiality of your data and will offer an optimal solution for your project in the shortest time.
We guarantee the confidentiality of your data and will offer an optimal solution for your project in the shortest time.
