RANKINE CYCLE

By EngineerProf PH/Engr. Raymart Bonete

Rankine Cycle is the ideal cycle for steam power Note: s = specific entropy, h = specific enthalpy, v=
plants. specific volume, P=pressure, T = temperature
Subscript f = saturated liquid property,
The ideal Rankine cycle is made up of four internally
Subscript g = saturated vapor property
reversible processes:
1-2 Isentropic expansion in a turbine Process 1 – 2 Isentropic Expansion in Turbine
2-3 Constant pressure heat rejection in a condenser 𝑠1 = 𝑠2
3 -4 Isentropic compression in a pump By energy balance in the Turbine, the Turbine Work is
4-1 Constant pressure heat addition in a boiler 𝑊𝑡 = ℎ1 − ℎ2
where ℎ1 is the enthalpy at state 1, (this property
depends on 𝑃1 and 𝑇1 ) and is usually superheated.
If only one property is given(P or T), consider that
ℎ1 = ℎ𝑔@𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒 1
Note: Consider changes in potential and kinetic energy
if given
ℎ2 = ℎ𝑓2 + 𝑥ℎ𝑓𝑔2 where 𝑥 =vapor content and
ℎ𝑓𝑔 = ℎ𝑔 − ℎ𝑓 (latent heat of vaporization).
Quality x can be found in the relationship:
𝑠1 = 𝑠2 = 𝑠𝑓2 + 𝑥𝑠𝑓𝑔2 ; 𝑠𝑓𝑔 = 𝑠𝑔 − 𝑠𝑓

Note: Properties at state 2 depends on the condenser

pressure; 𝑃2

The superheated vapor at state 1 enters the turbine, Process 2– 3 Constant Pressure Heat Rejection in
where it expands isentropically and produces work by Condenser
rotating the shaft connected to an electric generator. 𝑃2 = 𝑃3
The pressure and the temperature of steam drop Heat Rejected: 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 = ℎ2 − ℎ3
during this process to the values at state 2, where Where ℎ3 = ℎ𝑓@𝑃2 𝑜𝑟 𝑃3 (See TS diagram)
steam enters the condenser.
Process 3 -4 Isentropic compression in a Pump
Steam leaves the condenser as saturated liquid and
enters the pump at state 3. Pump Work; 𝑊𝑝 = ℎ4 − ℎ3
Where ℎ3 = ℎ𝑓@𝑃2 𝑜𝑟 𝑃3 (See TS diagram)
Water enters the boiler as a compressed liquid at state Pump Work can also be expressed as;
4 and leaves as a superheated vapor at state 1.
𝑊𝑝 = 𝑣𝑓3 (𝑃1 − 𝑃2 )
The T-S Diagram of an ideal Rankine Cycle Equating these two relationships for Pump work, we can
get ℎ4 .

Process 4 -1 Constant Pressure Heat Addition in Boiler

𝑃4 = 𝑃1 ; 𝑄𝑖𝑛 = ℎ1 − ℎ4

By Energy Balance in the System,

𝐸𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑄𝑖𝑛 + 𝑊𝑝 = 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 + 𝑊𝑡
Therefore; 𝑄𝑖𝑛 − 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑊𝑡 − 𝑊𝑝 =Work Net
Thermal Efficiency
Image Reference: Thermodynamics: An Eng’g Approach 8th Edition by Cengel an Boles
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑄𝑖𝑛 − 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑊𝑡 − 𝑊𝑝
𝜂𝑡ℎ = = =1− =
𝑄𝑖𝑛 𝑄𝑖𝑛 𝑄𝑖𝑛 𝑄𝑖𝑛