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MEC 451
CHAPTER
Thermodynamics

6
Lecture Notes:
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450
Shah Alam, Selangor Thermal Power Plants
Prepared By:
Dr Idris Saad
Part#2
Reviewed by
Dr. Alhassan Salami Tijani
Dr. Nor Afifah Yahaya Steam Turbine Engine
(Vapor Power Cycle)
February – July 2020

For students EM 220 and EM 221 only

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UiTM Idris Saad

Chapter 6 Part#2 – Thermal Power Plants

The Steam Turbine Engine
1. Rankine Cycle: The Ideal Cycle for Vapor Power Cycle.
2. Deviation of Actual Rankine Cycles from Idealized Ones.
3. Increase the Efficiency of the Rankine Cycle
4. Reheating Rankine Cycle
5. Regenerative Rankine Cycle; Open Feedwater Heaters
and Closed Feedwater Heaters

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Steam Power Plant

• A steam power plant or known as thermal power station is a power plant in which the prime mover is steam driven.
• Water is heated, turns into steam and spins a steam turbine which drives an electrical generator.
• A thermal power station is a power plant in which heat energy is converted to electric power.

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Carnot Cycle
• Based on the Carnot cycle, the steam turbine engine (heat
engine) may be composed of the following components. 700
Carnot Vapor Cycle Using Steam

600

500

6000 kPa
400

T [C]
300 2 100 kPa
3
200

100 1 4
0
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

s [kJ/kg-K]

The thermal efficiency of this cycle is

given as;
Wnet Q
 th , Carnot = = 1 − out
1 – 2 ; isentropic compression in a compressor Qin Qin
2 – 3 ; isothermal heat addition in a boiler TL
3 – 4 ; isentropic expansion in a turbine = 1−
4 – 1 ; isothermal heat rejection in a condenser TH
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Carnot Cycle
• The Carnot cycle is the most efficient cycle operating between two
specified temperature limits but it is not a suitable model for power
cycles. Because:
• Process 1-2 Limiting the heat transfer processes to two-phase systems
severely limits the maximum temperature that can be used in the cycle
(374°C for water)
• Process 2-3 The turbine cannot handle steam with a high moisture
content because of the impingement of liquid droplets on the turbine
blades causing erosion and wear.
• Process 4-1 It is not practical to design a pump that handles two phases.
• The cycle in (b) is not suitable since it requires isentropic compression to
extremely high pressures and isothermal heat transfer at variable
pressures.

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Rankine Cycle: The Ideal Cycle For Vapor Power Cycles

• Many of the impracticalities associated with the Carnot cycle can be eliminated by superheating the steam in the boiler
and condensing it completely in the condenser.
• The cycle that results is the Rankine cycle, which is the ideal cycle for vapor power plants.

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Energy Analysis of the Ideal Rankine Cycle

Process 1-2: Isentropic Compression in Pump
The pump work can be determined by:

m 1h1 + W pump = m 2 h2
W pump = m (h2 − h1 )
W pump = m 1 (P2 − P1 )

Process 2-3: Constant Pressure Heat Addition in Boiler

The energy balance for boiler:
m 2 h2 + Q in = m 3h3
Q in = m (h3 − h2 )
Q = Q
in Boiler
Q Boiler =  Boiler  m fuel  CHV

m f = Fuel mass flow rate kg 

 s
CHV = Calorificvalueof fuel  kJ 
 kg 
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Energy Analysis of the Ideal Rankine Cycle

Process 3-4: Isentropic Expansion in Turbine
The energy balance for turbine:

m 3h3 = Wout + m
 4h4
W = m
out  (h − h )
3 4

Process 4-1: Constant Pressure Heat Rejection in

a Condenser
The energy balance for condenser:

m 4h4 = Qout + m 1h1 Q = Q
out condenser

Q out = m (h4 − h1 ) Q condenser = m cw  Ccw  (Tout − Tin )

Based on the Second Law, the thermal efficiency becomes:

wnet (h3 − h4 ) − (h2 − h1 )
th = =
qin (h3 − h2 )
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Ideal Rankine Cycle

Sample Problem 6.5
Consider a steam power plant operating on the simple ideal Rankine cycle. Steam enters the turbine at 3 MPa and 350°C and is
condensed in the condenser at a pressure of 75 kPa. Determine the thermal efficiency of this cycle.

3 MPa
3 MPa 350°C

75 kPa 75 kPa

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Sample Problem 6.5 Ideal Rankine Cycle

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Sample Problem 6.5 Ideal Rankine Cycle

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Sample Problem 6.5 Ideal Rankine Cycle

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Deviation of Actual Vapor Power Cycles from Idealized Ones

• The actual vapor power cycle differs from the ideal Rankine cycle as a result of irreversibilities in various
components.
• Fluid friction and heat loss to the surroundings are the two common sources of irreversibilities.

Isentropic efficiencies

(a) Deviation of actual vapor power cycle (b) The effect of pump and turbine
from the ideal Rankine cycle irreversibilities on the ideal Rankine cycle.

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Actual Vapor Power Cycles

Sample Problem 6.6
Consider a steam power plant that operates on a simple Rankine cycle and has a net power output of 45 MW. Steam enters the
turbine at 7 MPa and 500°C and is cooled in the condenser at a pressure of 10 kPa by running cooling water from a lake through
the tubes of the condenser at a rate of 2000 kg/s with specific heat for cooling water is 4.184 kJ/kg.°C. The isentropic efficiency for
both turbine and pump are 87 percent. Draw the schematic diagram of this cycle and show the cycle on a T-s diagram with respect
to saturation lines. Also determine;
a) The thermal efficiency of the cycle, (33.8%)
b) The mass flow rate of the steam, and (41.4 kg/s)
c) The temperature rise of the cooling water. (10.5°C)

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Sample Problem 6.6 Actual Vapor Power Cycles

The schematic diagram of the cycle. The T – s diagram of the cycle.

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Sample Problem 6.6 Actual Vapor Power Cycles

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Sample Problem 6.6 Actual Vapor Power Cycles

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Sample Problem 6.6 Actual Vapor Power Cycles

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Practice Problem 6.5

1. A steam power plant operates on a simple ideal Rankine cycle between the pressure limits of 3 MPa and 50 kPa. The temperature of
the steam at the turbine inlet is 300°C, and the mass flow rate of steam through the cycle is 35 kg/s. Show the cycle on a T-s
diagram with respect to saturation lines, and determine (a) the thermal efficeincy of the cycle and (b) the net power output of the
power plant.
[(a) 27.1%; (b) 25.2 MW ]

2. Refrigerant-134a is used as the working fluid in a simple ideal Rankine cycle which operates the boiler at 2000 kPa and the
condenser at 24°C. The mixture at the exit of the turbine has a quality of 93 percent. Determine the turbine inlet temperature, the
cycle thermal efficiency, and the back-work ratio of this cycle.
[67.5°C; 10.7%; 0.0530 ]

3. Consider a 210-MW steam power plant that operates on a simple ideal Rankine cycle. Steam enters the turbine at 10 MPa and
500°C and is cooled in the condenser at a pressure of 10 kPa. Show the cycle on a T-s diagram with respect to saturation lines, and
determine (a) the quality of the steam at the turbine exit, (b) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, and (c) the mass flow rate of the
steam.
[(a) 0.793; (b) 40.2 %; (c) 165 kg/s ]

4. Repeat Q3 assuming an isentropic efficiency of 85 percent for both the turbine and the pump.
[(a) 0.874; (b) 34.1 %; (c) 194 kg/s ]

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Practice Problem 6.5

5. A simple Rankine cycle uses water as the working fluid. The boiler operates at 6000 kPa and the condenser
at 50 kPa. At the entrance to the turbine, the temperature is 450°C. The isentropic efficiency of the turbine is
94 percent, pressure and pump losses are negligible, and the water leaving the condenser is subcooled by
6.3°C. The boiler is sized for a mass flow rate of 20 kg/s. Determine the rate at which heat is added in the
boiler, the power required to operate the pumps, the net power produced by the cycle, and the thermal
efficiency.
[ 59660 kW; 122 kW; 18050 kW, 30.3% ]

6. Consider a coal-fired steam power plant that produces 175 MW of electric power. The power plant operates
on a simple ideal Rankine cycle with turbine inlet conditions of 7 MPa and 550°C and a condenser pressure of
15 kPa. The coal has a heating value (energy released when the fuel is burned) of 29300 kJ/kg. Assuming
that 85 percent of this energy is transferred to the steam in the boiler and that the electrical generator has an
efficiency of 96 percent, determine (a) the overall plant efficiency (the ratio of net electric power output to the
energy input as fuel) and (b) the required rate of coal supply.
[ (a) 31.5 %; (b) 68.3 tone/h ]

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How Can We Increase The Efficiency of The Rankine Cycle?

The basic idea behind all the modifications to increase the thermal efficiency of a power cycle is the same: Increase the
average temperature at which heat is transferred to the working fluid in the boiler, or decrease the average temperature at
which heat is rejected from the working fluid in the condenser.

Lowering the Condenser Pressure

(Lowers Tlow,avg)

To take advantage of the increased efficiencies at low pressures,

the condensers of steam power plants usually operate well below
the atmospheric pressure. There is a lower limit to this pressure
depending on the temperature of the cooling medium
Side effect: Lowering the condenser pressure increases the
moisture content of the steam at the final stages of the turbine.

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Superheating the Steam to High Temperatures

(Increases Thigh,avg)

Both the net work and heat input increase as a

result of superheating the steam to a higher
temperature. The overall effect is an increase
in thermal efficiency since the average
temperature at which heat is added increases.
Superheating to higher temperatures
decreases the moisture content of the steam
at the turbine exit, which is desirable.
The temperature is limited by metallurgical
considerations. Presently the highest steam
temperature allowed at the turbine inlet is
about 620°C.

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Increasing the Boiler Pressure

Today many modern steam power
(Increases Thigh,avg) plants operate at supercritical
pressures (P > 22.06 MPa) and have
For a fixed turbine inlet temperature, the cycle shifts to the left and the thermal efficiencies of about 40% for
moisture content of steam at the turbine exit increases. This side fossil-fuel plants and 34% for nuclear
effect can be corrected by reheating the steam. plants.

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Cycle Improvement: Ideal Reheat Rankine Cycle

How can we take
advantage of the
increased efficiencies
at higher boiler
pressures without
facing the problem of
excessive moisture at
the final stages of the
turbine?
1. Superheat the
steam to very high
temperatures. It is
limited metallurgically.
2. Expand the steam
in the turbine in two
stages, and reheat it in
between (reheat)

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Ideal Reheat Rankine Cycle

• The single reheat in a modern power plant improves the cycle
efficiency by 4 to 5% by increasing the average temperature at
which heat is transferred to the steam.
• The average temperature during the reheat process can be
increased by increasing the number of expansion and reheat
stages. As the number of stages is increased, the expansion
and reheat processes approach an isothermal process at the
maximum temperature. The use of more than two reheat
stages is not practical. The theoretical improvement in
efficiency from the second reheat is about half of that which
results from a single reheat.
• The reheat temperatures are very close or equal to the turbine
inlet temperature.
• The optimum reheat pressure is about one-fourth of the
maximum cycle pressure.

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Ideal Reheat Rankine Cycle

Sample Problem 6.7
Consider a steam power plant operating on the ideal reheat Rankine cycle. Steam enters the high-pressure turbine at 15 MPa and 600°C
and is condensed in the condenser at a pressure of 10 kPa. If the moisture content of the steam at the exit of low-pressure turbine is not to
exceed 10.4 percent, 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.

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Sample Problem 6.7 Ideal Reheat Rankine Cycle

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Sample Problem 6.7 Ideal Reheat Rankine Cycle

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Sample Problem 6.7 Ideal Reheat Rankine Cycle

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Sample Problem 6.7 Ideal Reheat Rankine Cycle

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Sample Problem 6.7 Ideal Reheat Rankine Cycle

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Practice Problem 6.6

1. An ideal reheat Rankine cycle with water as the working fluid operates the boiler at 15000 kPa, the reheater at
2000 kPa, and the condenser at 100 kPa. The temperature is 450°C at the entrance of the high-pressure and
low-pressure turbines. The mass flow rate through the cycle is 1.74 kg/s. Determine the power used by pumps,
the power produced by the cycle, the rate of heat transfer in the reheater, and the thermal efficiency of this
system.
[27 kW; 2000 kW; 1140 kW; 34% ]

2. Steam enters the high-pressure turbine of a steam power plant that operates on the ideal reheat Rankine cycle
at 6 Mpa and 500°C and leaves as saturated vapor. Steam is then reheated to 400°C before it expands to a
pressure of 10 kPa. Heat is transferred to the steam in the boiler at a rate of 6X104 kW. Steam is cooled in the
condenser by the cooling water from a nearby river, which enters the condenser at 7°C. Show the cycle on a T-
s diagram with respect to saturation lines, and determine (a) the pressure at which reheating takes place, (b)
the thermal efficiency, and (c) the minimum mass flow rate of the cooling water required.
[(a) 415.7 kPa; (b) 38.6% (c) 227.0 kg/s ]

3. A steam power plant operates on the reheat Rankine cycle. Steam enters the high-pressure turbine at 12.5
MPa and 550°C at a rate of 7.7 kg/s and leaves at 2 MPa. Steam is then reheated at constant pressure to
450°C before it expands in the low-pressure turbine. The isentropic efficiencies of the turbine and the pump are
85 percent and 90 percent, respectively. Steam leaves the condenser as a saturated liquid. If the moisture
content of the steam at the exit of the turbine is not to exceed 5 percent, determine (a) the condenser pressure,
(b) the net power output, and (c) the thermal efficiency.
[(a) 9.73 kPa; (b) 10.2 MW; (c) 36.9% ]

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The Ideal Regenerative Rankine Cycle

• Heat is transferred to the working fluid during process 2-2’

at a relatively low temperature. This lowers the average
heat-addition temperature and thus the cycle efficiency.
• In steam power plants, steam is extracted from the turbine
at various points. This steam, which could have produced
more work by expanding further in the turbine, is used to
heat the feedwater instead. The device where the
feedwater is heated by regeneration is called a
regenerator, or a feedwater heater (FWH).
• A feedwater heater is basically a heat exchanger where
heat is transferred from the steam to the feedwater either
by mixing the two fluid streams (open feedwater heaters)
or without mixing them (closed feedwater heaters).

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Open Feedwater Heaters

• An open (or direct-contact) feedwater heater is
basically a mixing chamber, where the steam
extracted from the turbine mixes with the feedwater
exiting the pump. Ideally, the mixture leaves the
heater as a saturated liquid at the heater pressure.

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 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UiTM Idris Saad

Closed Feedwater Heaters

• Another type of feedwater heater frequently used in steam power plants is the closed feedwater heater, in which heat
is transferred from the extracted steam to the feedwater without any mixing taking place. The two streams now can be
at different pressures, since they do not mix.

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Closed Feedwater Heaters

• The closed feedwater heaters are more complex because of the internal tubing network, and thus they are more
expensive. Heat transfer in closed feedwater heaters is less effective since the two streams are not allowed to be in direct
contact. However, closed feedwater heaters do not require a separate pump for each heater since the extracted steam
and the feedwater can be at different pressures.
Open feedwater heaters are
simple and inexpensive and
have good heat transfer
characteristics. For each
heater, however, a pump is
required to handle the
feedwater.

Most steam power plants use

a combination of open and
closed feedwater heaters.

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Thank You Very

Much
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