Section-1: Basic and Modified Rankine Cycles
9-1-1 Water is the working fluid in a Carnot vapor power cycle. Saturated liquid enters the boiler
at a pressure of 10 MPa, and enters the turbine as saturated vapor. The condenser pressure is 9 kPa.
Determine (a) the thermal efficiency, (b) the back work ratio, (c) the heat transfer to the working
fluid per unit mass passing through the boiler in kJ/kg, and (d) the heat transfer from the working
fluid per unit mass passing through the condenser in kJ/kg. (e) What-if-scenario: How would the
answer in (a) change if the steam entered the turbine at 5 MPa and the condenser pressure was 90
kPa ? [ Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 45.7%, (b) 0.37, (c) 1317 kJ/kg, (d) 714.5 kJ/kg, (e) 31.1%
Ani
m. 9-
1-1
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9-1-2 Water enters the boiler of a steady flow Carnot engine as a saturated liquid at 800 kPa,
and leaves with a quality of 0.95. Steam leaves the turbine at a pressure of 100 kPa. Determine
(a) the thermal efficiency and (b) the net work output. [ Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 15.9%, (b) 310.5 kW
9-1-3 Water is the working fluid in a Carnot vapor power cycle. Saturated liquid enters the boiler
at a pressure of 10 MPa, and saturated vapor enters the turbine. The condenser pressure is 8 kPa.
The effects of irreversibilities in the adiabatic expansion and the compression processes are taken
into consideration, and the turbine and pump efficiency is 80% and 75% respectively. Determine (a)
the thermal efficiency, (b) the back work ratio, (c) the heat transfer to the working fluid per unit
mass passing through the boiler in kJ/kg and (d) the heat transfer from the working fluid per unit
mass passing through the condenser in kJ/kg. [ Manual Solution] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 24.4%, (b) 0.62, (c) 1196 kJ/kg, (d) 903 kJ/kg
9-1-4 Consider a steam power plant operating on the simple ideal Rankine cycle. The steam
enters the turbine at 4 MPa and 400oC and is condensed in the condenser at a pressure of 100
kPa. Determine (a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle. (b) What-if-scenario: How would the
answer change if the steam entered the turbine at 5 MPa and the condenser pressure was 90
kPa? [ Manual Solution] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 27%, (b) 28.6%
Ani
m. 9-
1-4
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9-1-9 Steam is the working fluid in an ideal Rankine cycle. Saturated vapor enters the turbine at
10 MPa and saturated liquid exits the condenser at a pressure of 0.01 MPa. The net power output of
the cycle is 150 MW. The turbine and the pump each have an isentropic efficiency of 85%. Determine
(a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, (b) the mass flow rate of steam, (c) the heat transfer into the
working fluid as it passes through the boiler and (d) the heat transfer from the condenser to the
steam as it passes the condenser. [ Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 31.5%, (b) 189 kg/s, (c) 476.4 MW, (d) 326.2 MW
Ani
m. 9-
1-9
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9-1-11 Water is the working fluid in an ideal Rankine cycle. Superheated vapor enters the
turbine at 12 MPa, 500oC. The condenser pressure is 8 kPa. The turbine and the pump each has an
isentropic efficiency of 85% and 75% respectively. Determine (a) the thermal efficiency of the
cycle, (b) the net power output, (c) the heat transfer into the working fluid as it passes through
the boiler and (d) the heat transfer from the condenser to the steam as it passes the condenser.
(e) What-if-scenario: How would the answer in (b) change if the mass flow rate of the working
fluid was 100 kg/s ? [ Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 35%, (b) 1.1 MW, (c) 3.1 MW, (d) 2.5 MW, (e) 110 MW
9-1-18 Consider a steam power plant operating on the reheat Rankine cycle. Steam enters the
high pressure turbine at 16 MPa and 550oC, is condensed in the condenser at 10 kPa. If the moisture
content of the steam at the exit of the low pressure turbine is not to exceed 5%, determine (a) the
pressure at which the steam should be reheated, and (b) the thermal efficiency of the cycle. Assume
the steam is reheated to the inlet temperature of the high pressure turbine.(c) What-if-scenario:
How would the answer in (b) change if the moisture tolerance of the turbine were increased to 10%?
[ Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 1.29 MPa, (b) 43.9 %, (c) 44.3 %
Anim.
9-1-18
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9-1-20 Consider a steam power plant operating on the ideal Rankine cycle that has reheat at a
pressure 0.2 times the pressure entering the high pressure turbine. Steam enters the high pressure
turbine at 17 MPa and 500oC. The steam is reheated to 500oC before entering the low pressure
turbine, and is condensed in a condenser at 10 kPa. Determine (a) the thermal efficiency and (b)
the steam quality at the exit of the second turbine stage. [ Manual Solution] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 43%, (d) 0.869
9-1-24 In a steam power plant operating on the ideal regenerative
Rankine cycle with one open feedwater heater, steam enters the turbine at
9 MPa and 480oC and is condensed in the condenser at a pressure of 7 kPa.
Bleeding from the turbine to the FWH occurs at 0.7 MPa. The net power
output of the cycle is 100 MW. Determine (a) the thermal efficiency of the
cycle, (b) the mass flow rate entering the turbine, (c) the rate of heat
transfer to the working fluid passing through the steam generator. (d)
What-if-scenario: What would the net power developed be, if the bleeding
pressure were increased to 1.2 MPa? [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 43.3, (b) 87.7 kg/s, (c) 230 MW, (d) 96 MW
Anim. 9-1-24
(click)
9-1-26 A power plant operates on a regenerative vapor power cycle
with one open feedwater heater. Steam enters the first turbine stage at 11
MPa and 600oC and expands to 1 MPa, where some of the steam is
extracted and diverted to the open feed water heater operating at 1 MPa.
The remaining steam expands through the second turbine stage to
condenser pressure of 6 kPa. Saturated liquid exits the open feedwater
heater at 1 MPa. The net power output is 264 MW. Determine (a) the
thermal efficiency of the cycle. (b) the mass flow rate into the first turbine
stage and (c) the fraction of flow extracted where bleeding occurs. (d)
What-if-scenario: What would the net power developed be, if the bleeding
pressure were increased to 1.2 MPa? [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 46.3%, (b) 200 kg/s, (c) 0.2215, (d) 96 MW
9-1-29 A regenerative vapor power cycle has two turbine stages with
steam entering the first turbine stage at 8 MPa and 550oC and expanding to
700 kPa, where some of the steam is extracted and diverted to the open
feed water heater operating at 700 kPa. The remaining steam expands
through the second turbine stage to condenser pressure of 7 kPa. Saturated
liquid exits the open feedwater heater at 700 kPa. Each turbine stage has
an isentropic efficiency of 88% and each pump has an isentropic efficiency
of 80%. Determine (a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, (b) the net
power developed and (c) the fraction of flow extracted where bleeding
occurs. (d) What-if-scenario: How would the answer in (b) change if the
mass flow rate of steam entering the first stage of turbine was 170 kg/s?
[Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 39.4 %, (b) 1.1 MW, (c) 0.1932 kg/s, (d) 188.6 MW
Figure 9-1-
29
9-1-30 A regenerative vapor power cycle has two turbine stages with
steam entering the first turbine stage at 12 MPa and 600oC and expands to
1 MPa, where some of the steam is extracted and diverted to the open feed
water heater operating at 1 MPa. The remaining steam expands through
the second turbine stage to a condenser pressure of 6 kPa. Saturated liquid
exits the open feedwater heater at 6 kPa. Each turbine stage and pump has
an isentropic efficiency of 80%. The mass flow rate into the first turbine
stage is 100 kg/s. Determine (a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, (b) the
net power developed and (c) the heat transfer to the steam in the steam
generator. (d) What-if-scenario: How would the answer in (b) change if
the feed water pressure is 1.4 MPa? [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 38.8%, (b) 109.8 MW, (c) 282.9 kW, (d) 107 MW
9-1-31 A power plant operates on a regenerative vapor power cycle
with one closed feedwater heater. Steam enters the first turbine stage at
10 MPa and 500oC and expands to 1 MPa, where some of the steam is
extracted and diverted to a closed feed water heater. Condensate exiting
the feedwater heater as saturated liquid at 1 MPa passes through a trap
into the condenser. The feedwater exits the heater at 10 MPa with a
temperature of 175oC. The condenser pressure is 6 kPa. The mass flow rate
into the first stage turbine is 270 kg/s. For isentropic processes in each
turbine stage and the pump, determine (a) the mass flow rate of steam
extracted from the turbine, (b) the thermal efficiency of the cycle and (c)
the net power developed. [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 78.83 kg/s, (b) 42.44%, (b) 300.5 MW
Figure 9-1-
31
9-1-32 Repeat problem 9-1-31 above by replacing the trap with a
pump and a mixing chamber as shown in the schematic below. [Manual
Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 61.01 kg/s, (b) 44.42%, (c) 313.9 MW
Figure 9-1-
32
9-1-33 A power plant operates on a regenerative vapor power cycle
with one closed feedwater heater. Steam enters the first turbine stage at 7
MPa and 550oC and expands to 700 kPa, where some of the steam is
extracted and diverted to a closed feed water heater. Condensate exiting
the feedwater heater as saturated liquid at 700 kPa passes through a trap
into the condenser. The feedwater exits the heater at 7 MPa with a
temperature of 175oC. The condenser pressure is 8 kPa. If the power
developed is 100 MW, determine (a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle and
(b) the mass flow rate into the first stage turbine. (c) What-if-scenario:
How would the answer in (b) change if the extraction pressure was 600
kPa? [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 41.9%, (b) 86 kg/s, (c) 42.2%
9-1-34 A power plant operates on a regenerative vapor power cycle
with one closed feedwater heater. Steam enters the first turbine stage at
12 MPa and 520oC and expands to 1200 kPa, where some of the steam is
extracted and diverted to a closed feed water heater. Condensate exiting
the feedwater heater as saturated liquid at 120 kPa passes through a trap
into the condenser. The feedwater exits the heater at 7 MPa with a
temperature of 170oC. The condenser pressure is 12 kPa. If the mass flow
rate into first stage of turbine is 300 kg/s and each turbine stage has an
isentropic efficiency of 80%, determine (a) the thermal efficiency of the
cycle and (b) the net power developed. (c) What-if-scenario: How would
the answer in (b) change if the condenser pressure was 9 kPa? [Manual
Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 34.5%, (b) 276.3 MW, (c) 272.9 MW
9-1-35 A power plant operates on an ideal reheat-regenerative Rankine
cycle and has a net power output of 100 MW. Steam enters the high
pressure turbine stage at 12 MPa and 550oC and leaves at 0.9 MPa. Some
steam is extracted at this pressure to heat the feedwater in an open feed
water heater. The rest of the steam is reheated to 500oC and is expanded
in the low pressure turbine to the condenser pressure of 8 kPa. Determine
(a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle and (b) the mass flow rate of steam
through the boiler. (c) What-if-scenario: How would the answer in (a)
change if the steam entered the turbine at 15 MPa? [Manual Solution*] [TEST
Solution]
Answers: (a) 45.6%, (b) 67.2 kg/s, (c) 44.9 %
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9-1-36 Repeat problem 9-1-35 , but replace the open feedwater
heater with closed feedwater heater. Assume that the feedwater leaves the
heater at the condensation temperature of the extracted steam (T4) and
that the extracted steam leaves the heater at state-10 as a saturated liquid
before it is pumped to the line carrying the feedwater. Determine (a) the
thermal efficiency of the cycle and (b) the mass flow rate of steam through
the boiler. [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 45.93%, (b) 67.02 kg/s
Figure 9-1-
36
9-1-37 A steam power plant operates on the reheat-regenerative
Rankine cycle with a closed feedwater heater. Steam enters the turbine at
12 MPa, 500oC at a rate of 25 kg/s and is condensed in the condenser at a
pressure of 20 kPa. Steam is reheated at 5 MPa to 500oC. Steam at a rate
of 5 kg/s is extracted from the low pressure turbine at 1.2 MPa, and is
completely condensed in the closed feedwater heater, and pumped to 12
MPa before it mixes with the feedwater at the same pressure. Assuming an
isentropic efficiency of 88% for both the turbine and the pump, determine
(a) the temperature at the inlet of the closed feedwater heater, (b) the
thermal efficiency of the cycle and (c) the net power output. [Manual Solution*]
[TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 38.2 %, (b) 27 MW, (c) 309oC
Figure 9-1-
37
9-1-38 A steam power plant operates on an ideal reheat-regenerative
Rankine with one reheat and two open feedwater heaters. Steam enters the
high pressure turbine at 10 MPa, 600oC and leaves the low pressure turbine
at 7 kPa. The steam is extracted from the turbine at 2 MPa and 275 kPa,
and it is reheated to 540oC at a pressure of 1 MPa. Water leaves both
feedwater heaters as a saturated liquid. Heat is transferred to the steam in
the boiler at a rate of 6 MW. Determine (a) the mass flow rate of steam
through the boiler, (b) the net power output and (c) the thermal efficiency
of the cycle. [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 1.9 kg/s, (b) 2.9 MW, (c) 47.6 %
Figure 9-1-38
9-1-39 Consider a reheat-regenerative vapor power cycle with two feedwater heaters, a closed
feedwater heater and an open feedwater heater. Steam enters the first turbine at 10 MPa, 500oC
and expands to 0.8 MPa. The steam is reheated to 440oC before entering the second turbine, where
it expands to the condenser pressure of 0.007 MPa. Steam is extracted from the first turbine at 2
MPa and fed to the closed feedwater heater. Feedwater leaves the closed heater at 205 oC and 10
MPa, and condensate exits as saturated liquid at 2 MPa. The condensate is trapped into the open
feedwater heater. Steam extracted from second turbine at 0.3 MPa is also fed into the open
feedwater heater, which operates at 0.3 MPa. The steam exiting the open feedwater heater is
saturated liquid at 0.3 MPa. The net power output of the cycle is 100 MW. There is no stray heat
transfer from any component to its surroundings. If the working fluid experiences no irreversibilities
as it passes through the turbines, pumps, steam generator, reheater, and condenser, determine (a)
the thermal efficiency of the cycle, (b) the mass flow rate of the steam entering the first turbine.
[Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 44.6 %, (b) 75 kg/s
Anim. 9-1-39
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Section-2: Cogeneration, Combined and Binary Cycles
9-2-1 Water is the working fluid in a cogeneration cycle that generates electricity
and provides heat for campus buildings. Steam at 2.5 MPa, 320oC, with a mass flow
rate of 1 kg/s, expands through a two-stage turbine. Steam at 0.2 MPa and flow rate
of 0.3 kg/s is extracted between the two stages and provided for heating, and the
remaining steam expands through the second stage to the condenser pressure of 6
kPa. The condensate returns from the campus buildings at 0.1 MPa, 60oC and passes
through a trap into the condenser. Each turbine stage has an isentropic efficiency of
80%. Determine (a) the net heat transfer rate to the working fluid passing through
the steam generator, (b) the net power developed and (c) the rate of heat transfer
for building heating. (d) What-if-scenario: How would the answer in (c) change if
the inlet conditions at the turbine where 3 MPa and 400oC? [Manual Solution] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 2902 kW, (b) 684 kW, (c) 719 kW, (d) 748.6 kW
Ani
m. 9-
2-1
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9-2-2 Water is the working fluid in a cogeneration cycle. Steam generator
provides 280 kg/s of steam at 9 MPa, 500oC, of which 110 kg/s is extracted
between the first and second stages at 1.5 MPa and diverted to a process heating
load. Condensate returns from the process heating load at 1 MPa, 120oC and is
mixed with the liquid exiting the lower pressure pump at 1 MPa. The entire flow is
then pumped to the steam generator pressure. Saturated liquid at 8 kPa leaves
the condenser. The turbine stages and pumps operate with isentropic efficiencies
of 90 and 80%, respectively. Determine (a) the net heat transfer rate to the
working fluid passing through the steam generator, (b) the net power developed
and (c) the heating load. [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 859.9 MW, (b) 247.6 MW, (c) 268.6 MW
Ani
m. 9-
2-2
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9-2-3 A large food processing plant requires 3.5 kg/s of saturated or
slightly superheated steam at 550 kPa, which is extracted from the turbine
of a cogeneration plant. The boiler generates steam at 7 MPa and 540 oC at
a rate of 9 kg/s, and the condenser pressure is 14 kPa. Steam leaves the
process heater as a saturated liquid. It is then mixed with the feedwater at
the same pressure and this mixture is pumped to the boiler pressure.
Assuming both the pumps and the turbine have adiabatic efficiencies of
86%. Determine (a) the net heat transfer rate to the working fluid passing
through the steam generator and (b) the power output of the cogeneration
plant. (c) What-if-scenario: How would the answer in (b) change if the
efficiencies of both the pumps and the turbine were 100%? [Manual Solution*]
[TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 27.9 MW, (b) 8.18 MW, (c) 9.3 MW
9-2-4 Consider a cogeneration plant. Steam enters the turbine at 8
MPa, 600oC. 20% of the steam is extracted before it enters the turbine and
60% of the steam is extracted from the turbine at 500 kPa for process
heating . The remaining steam continues to expand to 6 kPa. Steam is then
condensed at constant pressure and pumped to the boiler pressure of 8
MPa. The steam leaves the process heater as a saturated liquid at 500 kPa.
The mass flow rate of steam through the boiler is 20 kg/s. Determine (a)
the rate of process heat supply and (b) the net power developed. (c)
What-if-scenario: How would the answer in (b) change if no process heat
was to be supplied? [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 33.1 MW, (b) 17.02 MW, (c) 29.4 MW
Ani
m. 9-2-
4
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9-2-5 Repeat problem 9-2-4 to determine (a) the maximum rate at
which process heat can be supplied [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 59.8 MW
9-2-6 Steam is generated in the boiler of a cogeneration plant at 4 MPa
and 480oC at a rate of 7 kg/s. The plant is to produce power while meeting
of the process steam requirements for a certain industrial application. One-
third of the steam leaving the boiler is throttled to a pressure of 820 kPa
and is routed to the process heater. The rest of the steam is expanded in
an isentropic turbine to a pressure of 820 kPa and is also routed to the
process heater. Steam leaves the process heater as saturated liquid.
Determine (a) the net power produced and (b) the rate of process heat
supply. (c) What-if-scenario: How would the answer in (a) change if one-
half instead of one-third of the steam leaving the boiler was throttled?
[Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 2.06 MW, (b) 16.6 MW, (c) 17.1 MW
Anim.
9-2-6
(click)
9-2-7 Consider a cogeneration power plant modified with regeneration.
Steam enters the turbine at 5 MPa, 450oC and expands to a pressure of 0.6
MPa. At this pressure 65% of the steam is extracted from the turbine, and
the remainder expands to 10 kPa. Part of the extracted steam is used to heat
the feedwater in an open feedwater heater. The rest of the extracted steam
is used for process heating and leaves the process heater as a saturated
liquid at 0.6 MPa. It is subsequently mixed with the feedwater leaving the
feedwater heater, and the mixture is pumped to the boiler pressure.
Assuming the turbines and the pumps to be isentropic, (a) determine the
mass flow rate of the steam through the boiler for a net power output of 15
MW. (b) What-if-scenario: How would the answer in change if only 50% of
steam was extracted from the turbine? [Manual Solution*] [TEST Solution]
Answers: (a) 20.1 kg/s, (b) 17.87 kg/s
Ani
m. 9-
2-7
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Answers: (a) 6.673, (b) 1107 kg/s, (c) 53.1%
