BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

STEAM POWER PLANT

 Steam Cycle
 Rankine Cycle
 Reheat Cycle
 Regenerative Cycle
 Carnot Cycle
 Steam Engine
 Steam Cycle

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

A. STEAM CYCLE
DEFINITIONS:
1. Rankine cycle is the ideal cycle for vapor power plants.
2. In a Rankine cycle, water enters the pump as saturated liquid and is compressed
isentropically to the operating pressure of the boiler.
3. In the pump, the water pressure and temperature increases somewhat during this isentropic
compression process due to a slight decrease in specific volume of water.
4. The superheated vapor enters the turbine and expands isentropically and produces work by
the rotating shaft. The temperature and pressure may drop during the process.
5. Steam is condensed at a constant pressure in the condenser.
6. The boiler and condenser do not involve any work, and the pump and turbine are assumed
to be isentropic.
7. Rankine cycle power plant converts 26% of the heat it receives in the boiler to the network.
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑃𝑢𝑚𝑝 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘
8. 𝐵𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 𝑇𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘

9. The lesser the back work ratio, the better is the cycle.
10. Only 0.4% of the turbine work output is required to operate the pump.
11. In actual condensers, the liquid is usually subcooled to prevent cavitation that damaged the
impeller of the pump.
12. Fluid friction causes pressure drops in the boiler, the condenser, and piping between
various components.
13. The pressure in the condenser is usually very small.
14. To compensate pressure drops in Rankine cycle, the water must be pumped to a sufficient
higher pressure than ideal cycle.
15. The major source of irreversibility is the heat loss from the steam to the surroundings.
16. To increase the thermal efficiency of Rankine cycle, increase the average temperature at
which heat is transferred to the working fluid in the boiler.
17. To increase the thermal efficiency of Rankine cycle, decrease the average temperature at
which heat is rejected from the working fluid in the condenser.
18. Lowering the operating pressure of the condenser automatically lower the temperature of
the steam, and thus the temperature at which heat is rejected.

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

19. The overall effect of lowering the condenser pressure is an increase in the efficiency of the
Rankine cycle.
20. To take advantage of the increase efficiencies at low pressures, the condenser of steam
power plants usually operates well below the atmospheric pressure.
21. The average temperature at which heat is added to the steam can be increased without
increasing the boiler pressure by superheating the steam to high temperature.
22. Superheating the steam to higher temperature decreases the moisture content of the steam
at the turbine exit.
23. Presently the highest steam temperature allowed at the turbine inlet is about 6200C.
Ceramics are very promising in this regard.
24. Raising the average temperature at which heat is added to the steam raises the thermal
efficiency of the cycle.
25. The average temperature during the reheat process can be increased by increasing the
number of expansion and reheat stages.
26. As the number of stages is increased, the expansion and reheat process approached an
isothermal process at the maximum temperature.
27. In a reheat cycle, the optimum reheat pressure is about ¼ of the maximum cycle pressure.
28. The main purpose of reheating is to reduce the moisture content of the steam at the final
stage of expansion.
29. Regeneration also provides a convenient means of derating the feed water to prevent
corrosion in the boiler.
30. The cycle efficiency increases further as the number of feed water heater is increased.
31. A trap allows the liquid to be throttled to a lower pressure region but traps the vapor.
32. A closed feed water heater is more expensive than open feed water heater.
33. Cogeneration is the production of more than one useful energy (such as process heat and
electric power) from the same energy source.
34. The overall thermal efficiency of a power plant can be increased by binary cycles or
combined cycles.
35. A binary cycle is composed of two separate cycles, one at high temperature (topping cycle)
and the other at relative low temperature.

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

36. Combined cycles have a higher thermal efficiency then the steam or gas turbine cycle
operating alone.

METHODS OF IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF RANKINE CYCLE

1. By lowering the condenser pressure in Rankine cycle

(1)

T (4)
(4’)

(3) (2)

(3’)
(2’)

increase in

In a Rankine cycle with fixed turbine inlet condition, what is the effect of lowering the
condenser pressure?
A. The pump work input will increase.
B. The turbine work output will increase.
C. The heat added will increase.
D. The heat rejected will decrease.
E. The cycle efficiency will increase.
F. The moisture content at turbine exit will increase.

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

2. By increasing the boiler pressure in Rankine cycle

(1’) (1) T1 = T1’

increase in W

(4’) decrease in W

T (4)

(3’ (2’) (2)

)

In an ideal Rankine cycle with fixed turbine inlet temperature and condenser pressure, what is
the effect of increasing boiler pressure?
A. The pump work input will increase.
B. The turbine work output will increase.
C. The heat added will increase.
D. The heat rejected will decrease.
E. The cycle efficiency will increase.
F. The moisture content at turbine exit will increase.

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

3. By superheating the steam to higher temperature in Rankine cycle.

(1)
(1’)

(4)

increase in W
T

(3’
(2) (2’)
)

In an ideal Rankine cycle with fixed boiler and condenser pressure, what is the effect of
superheating the steam to a higher temperature?
A. The pump work input will remain constant.
B. The turbine work output will increase.
C. The heat added will increase.
D. The heat rejected will increase.
E. The cycle efficiency will increase.
F. The moisture content at turbine exit will decrease.

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

4. By reheating the steam in Rankine cycle

(1) (3)

reheating

(2)
(6)

(5)
(4)

Assume the mass flow rate is maintained the same, when a simple ideal Rankine cycle is
modified with reheating,
A. The pump work input will remain constant.
B. The turbine work output will increase.
C. The heat added will increase.
D. The heat rejected will increase.
E. The cycle efficiency will increase.
F. The moisture content at turbine exit will decrease.

5. Regeneration of the steam in Rankine cycle

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

How do the following quantities change when the simple ideal Rankine cycle is modified with
regeneration?
A. The pump work input will decrease.
B. The turbine work output will decrease.
C. The heat added will decrease.
D. The heat rejected will decrease.
E. The cycle efficiency will increase.
F. The moisture content at turbine exit remains constant.

(1)

l
(2)

(l - m)

(l - m) (3)

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

1. RANKINE CYCLE
Rankine cycle is the standard and most common steam cycle. The working fluid is water.

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM: QA

BOILER
(1)

(4)
TURBINE WT
Wp
PUMP
(2)

CONDENSER QR

(3)

(1’)

T P4 = P 1
(4) S 1 = S2
S3 = S4
(3)
P3 = P2 (2)

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

FORMULAS
1.1. Heat addition in boiler, 𝑸𝑨

𝑸𝑨

𝒎𝒇 𝒉𝒇 BOILER 𝒉𝟏
(𝟏)

𝑸𝑨 = 𝒉𝟏 − 𝒉𝒇 , 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔
ℎ1 = ℎ𝑔 𝑎𝑡 𝑃1 , 𝑡1 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠)
ℎ𝑓 = ℎ𝑓 𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑓 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠 1⁄2)
𝑡𝑓 = 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝.

The Boiler Conditions:

1. Changes in kinetic and potential energy are negligible.
2. There is no work crossing the control surface.
3. The process is constant pressure heat addition.
𝑄𝐴 = ℎ1 − ℎ4 , 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑚(ℎ1 − ℎ4 ), 𝑘𝑊
where:
𝑚 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤

1.2. Turbine Work, 𝑾𝑻 (𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈) 𝑚

(1)
ℎ1 = ℎ2 + 𝑊𝑇
𝑊𝑇
𝑊𝑇 = ℎ1 − ℎ2 ; 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 TURBINE
𝑊𝑇 = 𝑚𝑠 (ℎ1 − ℎ2 ); 𝑘𝑊

(2)

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The turbine conditions:

1. The turbine is adiabatic Q = 0 and s1 = s2.
2. The change in kinetic energy across the turbine is not negligible but in the ideal
analysis the kinetic energy change is being ignored since we have no specific means
of determining inlet and discharge velocities.

1.3. Quality after turbine expansion, 𝑿𝟐

𝑠2 = 𝑠1 = 𝑆𝑓2 + 𝑋2 𝑆𝑓𝑔2
𝑠1 − 𝑆𝑓2
𝑋2 =
𝑆𝑓𝑔2
ℎ2 = ℎ𝑓2 + 𝑋2 ℎ𝑓𝑔2

1.4. Heat rejected in the condenser, 𝑸𝑹

The condenser condition is the same as the boiler conditions
𝑄𝑅 = ℎ2 − ℎ3 ; 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔
𝑄𝑅 = 𝑚(ℎ2 − ℎ3) ; 𝑘𝑊
Cooling water requirement in condenser
𝑄𝑅 = 𝑄𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
Mass flow of cooling water, mw

𝑚𝑠
𝑚𝑤 =
𝑚𝑠 (ℎ2 −ℎ3 ) (2)
𝐶𝑝 (𝑡2 −𝑡1 ) 𝑚𝑤0

𝐶𝑝𝑤 = 4.187 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 ∙ 𝑘 𝑡2

CONDENSER
𝑄𝑅

𝑚𝑤
𝑡1
(3)
cooling

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

1.5. Pump Work, 𝑾𝑷 (𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈)

(4)
𝑊𝑃 + ℎ3 = ℎ4
𝑊𝑃 = ℎ4 − ℎ3

PUMP
𝑊𝑃

(3)
Pump Conditions:
1. The pump is adiabatic (Q = 0) and reversible (𝑠1 = 𝑠2 ).
2. The change in kinetic and potential energy are negligible.
3. The fluid is not compressible (𝑣1 = 𝑣2 ).

𝑊𝑃 = ℎ4 − ℎ3 ; 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 Enthalpy calculations at point 4.

𝑊𝑃 = 𝑣3 (ℎ4 − ℎ3) ; 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔
𝑊𝑃 = 𝑚(ℎ4 − ℎ3 ); 𝑘𝑊
ℎ4 = 𝑣𝑓3 (𝑃4 − 𝑃3 ) + ℎ3
𝑣𝑓3 = specific volume of water

1.6. Cycle Efficiency, e

𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 − 𝑝𝑢𝑚𝑝 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘
𝑒=
ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑
𝑊𝑇 − 𝑊𝑃 (ℎ1 − ℎ2 ) − (ℎ4 − ℎ3 )
𝑒= =
𝑄𝐴 (ℎ1 − ℎ4 )

1.7. Cogeneration Efficiency, 𝒆𝒄

𝑄𝑅 + 𝑊𝑇
𝑒𝑐 =
𝑄𝐴
1.8. Back work ratio, BW
𝑊𝑃 ℎ4 − ℎ3
𝐵𝑊 = =
𝑊𝑇 ℎ1 − ℎ2

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

PROBLEMS:
1. In a Rankine cycle, steam enters the turbine at 2.5 MPa (enthalpies and entropies
given) and condenser of 50kPa (properties given), what is the thermal efficiency
of the cycle?
Ans. 25.55%

2. In an ideal Rankine cycle, the steam throttle condition is 4.10 MPa and 4400C. If
turbine exhaust is 0.105 MPa, determine the thermal efficiency of the cycle.
Ans. 27.55%

ℎ1 = 3305.7
𝑠1 = 6.8911
At 0.105 MPa,
ℎ𝑓2 = 423.24 = ℎ3 𝑠𝑓2 = 1.3181
ℎ𝑓𝑔2 = 2254.4 𝑠𝑓𝑔2 = 6.0249
𝑠𝑓2 = 1.0443(10−3 ) 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔

3. In a Rankine cycle, saturated liquid water at 1 bar is compressed isentropically to

150 bar. First by heating in a boiler, then by super heating at constant pressure of
150 bar. The water substance is brought to 750K. After adiabatic reversible
expansion in a turbine to 1 bar, it is then cooled in a condenser to a saturated liquid.
What is the thermal efficiency of the cycle?
Ans. 34.29%

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

2. REHEAT CYCLE
Schematic Diagram:
TURBINE
(1)

HP LP 𝑾𝑻
(3)
(2)
𝑸𝑨 BOI
BOILER

LE
(4)
CONDENSER

𝑸𝑹

PUMP
(6) (5)

𝑾𝑷

Ideal reheat cycle with one stage of reheating

1 – 2: partial isentropic expansion in the turbine, s = c.
2 – 3: constant pressure resuperheating in the reheater.
3 – 4: complete isentropic expansion in the turbine, s = c.
4 – 5: constant pressure rejection of heat, p = c.
5 – 6: constant pressure addition of heat.

Cycle Analysis:
𝑄𝐴 = heated in the boiler
𝑄𝐴 = ℎ1 − ℎ𝐵
𝑄𝑅𝐻 = heated in the reheater
𝑄𝑅𝐻 = ℎ3 − ℎ2
𝑄𝐴 = heat added
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑄𝐵 + 𝑄𝑅𝐻
𝑄𝐴 = ℎ1 − ℎ𝐵 + ℎ3 − ℎ2
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑄𝐵 + ∑ 𝑄𝑅𝐻
𝑄𝑅𝐻 = heat rejected in the condenser

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

(1) (3)

𝑃3 = 𝑃2 𝑠1 = 𝑠2

𝑃3 = 𝑃2 REHEATER
(6) (2)
𝑠3 = 𝑠4
T

(5) 𝑃5 = 𝑃4
(4)

S
2.2 TURBINE WORK
𝑊𝑇 = (ℎ1 − ℎ2 ) + (ℎ3 − ℎ4 ); 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔
(1)
𝑊𝑇 = 𝑚𝑠 [(ℎ1 − ℎ2 ) + (ℎ3 − ℎ4 )]; 𝑘𝑊

HP LP 𝑊𝑇

(2)

(3) (4)
2.3 PUMP WORK
𝑊𝑃 = ℎ6 − ℎ5 ; 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔
𝑊𝑃 = 𝑚𝑠 (ℎ6 − ℎ5 ); 𝑘𝑊
(6) PUMP
𝑊𝑃 = 𝑣𝑓5 (𝑃6 − 𝑃5 ); 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 (5)

𝑊𝑃

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

2.4 ENTHALPY
ℎ6 = 𝑣𝑓5 (𝑃6 − 𝑃5 ) + ℎ5

2.5 HEAT REJECTED IN THE CONDENSER

𝑄𝑅 = (ℎ4 − ℎ5 ); 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔
𝑄𝑅 = 𝑚𝑠 (ℎ4 − ℎ5 ); 𝑘𝑊
COOLING WATER REQUIREMENT IN CONDENSER
𝑄𝑅 = 𝑄𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
𝑚𝑠
(4)
Mass flow of cooling water, 𝑚𝑤
𝑚𝑠 (ℎ4 −ℎ5 ) 𝑡2
𝑚𝑤 = 𝐶𝑃 (𝑇2−𝑇1) 𝑚𝑤0

𝑄𝑅

𝑚𝑤𝑖 𝑡1
𝑚𝑠
(5)
2.6 THERMAL EFFICIENCY cooling water

𝑊𝑇 −𝑊𝑃
𝑒= 𝑄𝐴

PROBLEMS
1. Steam is delivered to turbine at 5.4 MPa and 6000C. Before condensation at 310C steam
is extracted for feedwater heating at 0.6 MPa. For an ideal regenerative cycle, find:
a) m, b) W, c) e
For ideal engine and with the same states, compute d) W1 , e and ws
Ans. 44.14%

7.0 MPa and 5000C at 600kPa at 10kPa

ℎ1 = 3410.3 ℎ𝑓2 = 670.56 ℎ𝑓3 = 191.83
𝑠1 = 6.7975 ℎ𝑓𝑔2 = 2086.3 ℎ𝑓𝑔3 = 2392.8
𝑠𝑓2 = 1.9312 𝑠𝑓3 = 0.6493
𝑠𝑓𝑔2 = 4.8228 𝑠𝑓𝑔3 = 7.5009

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

2. Steam enters the turbine of cogeneration plant at 7.0Mpa and 500 0C. Steam at a flow
rate of 7.6 kg/sec is extracted from the turbine at 600kPa pressure for process heating.
The remaining steam continues to expand 10kPa. The recovered condensates are
pumped back to the boiler. The mass flow rate of the steam that enters the turbine is
30kg/s. Calculate the cogeneration efficiency percent.

3. REGENERATIVE CYCLE

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

ENGR. JESSIE H. DOMINGO