THERMODYNAMICS – II

MEng-123n
THE RANKINE CYCLE

The Carnot vapor cycle is only a mental and abstract

conceptualization of the most efficient thermal cycle
available. It sets the benchmark on how processes must
tend towards and establish a pursuit of ever-increasing
efficiency. However, it is useless in a real-world
application. Hence, we will discuss the practical design
considerations of the Rankine vapor power cycle
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3

Lesson 2.1b: Introduction

The Carnot vapor cycle is only a mental and abstract conceptualization of the most efficient thermal cycle available. It sets
the benchmark on how processes must tend towards and establish a pursuit of ever-increasing efficiency. However, it is
useless in a real-world application. Hence, we will discuss the practical design considerations of the Rankine vapor power
cycle
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of vapor power plants.
2. Develop and analyze thermodynamic models of vapor power plants based on the Rankine cycle and its modifications,
including:
a) sketching schematic and accompanying T–s diagrams.
b) evaluating property data at principal states in the cycle.
c) applying mass, energy, and entropy balances for the basic processes.
d) determining power cycle performance, thermal efficiency, net power output, and mass flow rates.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3

THE IDEAL RANKINE CYCLE

MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 1

Water is the working fluid in an ideal Rankine cycle. The condenser pressure is 6 kPa, and saturated vapor enters the turbine at 10 MPa. Determine the
heat transfer in kJ per kg of steam flowing, for the working fluid passing through the boiler and condenser and calculate the thermal efficiency.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 1

Water is the working fluid in an ideal Rankine cycle. The condenser pressure is 6 kPa, and saturated vapor enters the turbine at 10 MPa. Determine the
heat transfer in kJ per kg of steam flowing, for the working fluid passing through the boiler and condenser and calculate the thermal efficiency.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Steam is the working fluid in the ideal Rankine cycle 1-2-3-4-1 and in the Carnot cycle 1- 2-3′-4′-1 that both operate between pressures of 1.5 bar and
60 bar as shown in the T-s diagram in the figure. Both cycles incorporate the steady flow devices shown in the figure. For each cycle determine (a) the
net power developed per unit mass of steam flowing, in kJ/kg, and (b) the thermal efficiency. Compare results and comment.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Steam is the working fluid in the ideal Rankine cycle 1-2-3-4-1 and in the Carnot cycle 1- 2-3′-4′-1 that both operate between pressures of 1.5 bar and
60 bar as shown in the T-s diagram in the figure. Both cycles incorporate the steady flow devices shown in the figure. For each cycle determine (a) the
net power developed per unit mass of steam flowing, in kJ/kg, and (b) the thermal efficiency. Compare results and comment.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Steam is the working fluid in the ideal Rankine cycle 1-2-3-4-1 and in the Carnot cycle 1- 2-3′-4′-1 that both operate between pressures of 1.5 bar and
60 bar as shown in the T-s diagram in the figure. Both cycles incorporate the steady flow devices shown in the figure. For each cycle determine (a) the
net power developed per unit mass of steam flowing, in kJ/kg, and (b) the thermal efficiency. Compare results and comment.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Steam is the working fluid in the ideal Rankine cycle 1-2-3-4-1 and in the Carnot cycle 1- 2-3′-4′-1 that both operate between pressures of 1.5 bar and
60 bar as shown in the T-s diagram in the figure. Both cycles incorporate the steady flow devices shown in the figure. For each cycle determine (a) the
net power developed per unit mass of steam flowing, in kJ/kg, and (b) the thermal efficiency. Compare results and comment.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Steam is the working fluid in the ideal Rankine cycle 1-2-3-4-1 and in the Carnot cycle 1- 2-3′-4′-1 that both operate between pressures of 1.5 bar and
60 bar as shown in the T-s diagram in the figure. Both cycles incorporate the steady flow devices shown in the figure. For each cycle determine (a) the
net power developed per unit mass of steam flowing, in kJ/kg, and (b) the thermal efficiency. Compare results and comment.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Steam is the working fluid in the ideal Rankine cycle 1-2-3-4-1 and in the Carnot cycle 1- 2-3′-4′-1 that both operate between pressures of 1.5 bar and
60 bar as shown in the T-s diagram in the figure. Both cycles incorporate the steady flow devices shown in the figure. For each cycle determine (a) the
net power developed per unit mass of steam flowing, in kJ/kg, and (b) the thermal efficiency. Compare results and comment.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Steam is the working fluid in the ideal Rankine cycle 1-2-3-4-1 and in the Carnot cycle 1- 2-3′-4′-1 that both operate between pressures of 1.5 bar and
60 bar as shown in the T-s diagram in the figure. Both cycles incorporate the steady flow devices shown in the figure. For each cycle determine (a) the
net power developed per unit mass of steam flowing, in kJ/kg, and (b) the thermal efficiency. Compare results and comment.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Steam is the working fluid in the ideal Rankine cycle 1-2-3-4-1 and in the Carnot cycle 1- 2-3′-4′-1 that both operate between pressures of 1.5 bar and
60 bar as shown in the T-s diagram in the figure. Both cycles incorporate the steady flow devices shown in the figure. For each cycle determine (a) the
net power developed per unit mass of steam flowing, in kJ/kg, and (b) the thermal efficiency. Compare results and comment.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Steam is the working fluid in the ideal Rankine cycle 1-2-3-4-1 and in the Carnot cycle 1- 2-3′-4′-1 that both operate between pressures of 1.5 bar and
60 bar as shown in the T-s diagram in the figure. Both cycles incorporate the steady flow devices shown in the figure. For each cycle determine (a) the
net power developed per unit mass of steam flowing, in kJ/kg, and (b) the thermal efficiency. Compare results and comment.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
EXAMPLE - 2

Comment 1: For an ideal cycle, the enclosed area on the T-s diagram represents the net power developed per unit of mass flowing. By inspection of Fig.
P8.3, the Rankine cycle enclosed area 1-2-3-4-1 is greater than the Carnot cycle enclosed area 1-2-3’-4’-1 and thus the Rankine cycle has the greater
net power per unit mass flowing. Although the turbine produces the same power per unit mass of steam flowing in both cycles, the Carnot cycle pump
requires more power input per unit mass of steam flowing (for it is a liquid-vapor mixture) than the pump in the Rankine cycle (for it is a liquid only) to
achieve the same pressure increase.

Comment 2: For an ideal cycle, the thermal efficiency tends to increase as the average temperature at which energy is added by heat transfer increases.
By inspection, the Carnot cycle has the higher average temperature at which energy is added by heat addition and thus the greater thermal efficiency.
Although it produces more power per unit mass of steam flowing, the Rankine cycle requires a greater rate of heat transfer into the cycle since energy
input is required to raise the temperature of the liquid exiting the pump to the saturation temperature as well as to achieve phase change from saturated
liquid to saturated vapor. The Carnot cycle requires a lower rate of heat transfer into the cycle, since energy input is required only to achieve phase
change from saturated liquid to saturated vapor.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
QUIZ - 1
Let us assume the Rankine cycle, one of the most common thermodynamic cycles in
thermal power plants. In this case, assume a simple cycle without reheat and
condensing steam turbine running on saturated steam (dry steam). In this case, the
turbine operates at a steady state with inlet conditions of 6 MPa, t = 275.6°C, x = 1
(point 3). Steam leaves this turbine stage at a pressure of 0.008 MPa, 41.5°C, and x =
unknown.
Calculate:
1. The vapor quality of the outlet steam.
2. The enthalpy difference between these two states (3 → 4) corresponds
to the work done by the steam, WT.

3. The enthalpy difference between these two states (1 → 2) corresponds

to the work done by pumps, WP.

4. The enthalpy difference between these two states (2 → 3) corresponds to the net
heat added to the steam generator.
5. The thermodynamic efficiency of this cycle and compare this value with the
Carnot’s efficiency.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3
QUIZ - 2

Water is the working fluid in an ideal Rankine cycle. Saturated vapor enters the turbine at 16 MPa,
and the condenser pressure is 8 kPa. The mass flow rate of steam entering the turbine is 120 kg/s.
Determine:
(a) the net power developed, in kW.

(b) the rate of heat transfer to the steam passing through the boiler, in kW.

(c) the thermal efficiency.

(d) the mass flow rate of condenser cooling water, in kg/s, if the cooling water undergoes a temperature increase of
18C with negligible pressure change in passing through the condenser.
MEng – 123n |Thermodynamics 2| Lesson 2.1c: The Rankine Cycle - 3

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