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Rankine Cycle Improvements

In this lesson, we will consider the following five methods to improve the efficiency of the

The goal of each of these methods is to increase the efficiency of the

while preventing vapor from entering the pump and keeping the quality of the turbine effluent above 90%.

Each of these methods is presented as an improvement on the

. In an

, the pump and turbine are isentropic and the condenser and boiler are isobaric.

In the next lesson, we will learn more about the effect of real, irreversible equipment on the performance of

Lesson 9C: page 1 of 17

This lesson focuses on how we can increase the efficiency of the Rankine Cycle.
These improvements must avoid damaging the pump and the turbine as well.
We will discuss the five popular methods listed here.
Some of these methods can be used in combination with each other, as you will see.
Keep in mind that all of the improvements to the Rankine Cycle that we discuss in this lesson are based upon the IDEAL Rankine Vapor Power Cycle.
I stress that they are ideal because the discussion of non-ideal equipment will have to wait until the next lesson.
We will conclude this lesson with a brief discussion of a technique called Cogeneration.
It is not an improvement on the Rankine Cycle.
Instead, it is a different way to use a power cycle in an industrial setting.
Now, that we know where we are going, let’s begin studying the methods listed here.