The Rankine cycle or Rankine Vapor Cycle is the process widely used by power plants such as coal-fired power plants or nuclear reactors. In this mechanism, a fuel is used to produce heat within a boiler, converting water into steam which then expands through a turbine producing useful work.
What is the most efficient cycle for a steam power plant?
The Rankine cycle is the ideal cycle for vapor power plants; it includes the following four reversible processes: 1-2: Isentropic compression Water enters the pump as state 1 as saturated liquid and is compressed isentropically to the operating pressure of the boiler.
What is the maximum pressure of steam?
Steam Heating Boilers Operating Pressure Settings
Residential steam heating systems are almost always designed to operate at very low pressures, typically around 0.2 psi to a maximum of 0.5 psi – that’ s 1/2 of one psi.
What is the highest steam pressure?
On 3 June 2014, the Australian government’s research organization CSIRO announced that they had generated ‘supercritical steam’ at a pressure of 23.5 MPa (3,410 psi) and 570 °C (1,060 °F) in what it claims is a world record for solar thermal energy.
What is the principle of steam power generator?
A steam power station basically works on the Rankine cycle. Steam is produced in the boiler by utilising the heat of coal combustion. The steam is then expanded in the prime mover (i.e.., steam turbine) and is condensed in a condenser to be fed into the boiler again.
Why is steam used for power generation?
This steam is an important part in electrical generation since it can be used to spin a turbine (which is connected to a generator to create power). … When high pressure steam passes through the turbines it expands and emerges at an increased speed but lower pressure.
How is steam rate calculated?
The feedwater flow rate can be calculated from steam mass flow and blowdown rate:
- Blowdown Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow * Blowdown Rate.
- Steam Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow – Blowdown Mass Flow.
- Steam Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow – Feedwater Mass Flow * Blowdown Rate.
Which cycle is more efficient for electricity generation plant?
The Brayton (gas turbine) cycle, which makes one-half of the electricity in the IFCC, is inherently more efficient than a Rankine (steam) cycle, because there is no loss of the heat of vaporization of the water to make steam in the Brayton cycle.
Which power plant has lowest running cost?
Explanation: Hydroelectric power plant has lowest running cost because it does not needs any fuel and can be operated by few number of persons. Nuclear gas and thermal power plant requires fuels also the handling cost of fuels is added with the total cost.