Steam Power Plant Experiment

OBJECTIVE
1. To gain exposure to actual steam power plant systems and operation by touring the
campus power plant.
2. To explore the effect of operating conditions and configuration on steam power
plant performance by conducting a computer simulation.
BACKGROUND
All steam power systems are based upon the simple ideal Rankine cycle which is
shown below.
boiler
Q

ProcessSteam
ProcessSteam

5P
5

turb
W

Turbine

Boiler

8
4

3
2

Pump

pump
W

Condenser

cond
Q

Makeup
Water

To improve the operation and efficiency of these systems a number of other

components are added which include reheaters, additional turbines, open feedwater
heaters, and closed feedwater heaters. During the tour of the T.B. Simon Power Plant
at MSU, the student will note the power plant layout and operating conditions. With
this information, the student will use the software package RANKINE V3.0 to model
the power plant and investigate additional optimization of operating conditions. A
copy of the RANKINE V3.0 Users Guide is included with this handout. The program
itself is available on the Heat Transfer Lab computers.

PROCEDURE
1. Tour the power plant and complete Worksheet I.
individual basis.

This is to be done on an

2. During your regular lab session your TA will introduce you to the RANKINE
program. Complete Worksheet II. This is to be done with your regular sub-group.