Sheridan College

School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Technology

MECE27642D: Thermodynamics

Lab #1: Steam Turbine

Group Members: Preston Barrington (991577368), Ata-Ul-Raheem Malik

(991563040), Ali Almoman (991582261)

Date of Experiment: 07/29/22

Instructor: Amin Ghobeity

Class Number: 1221_92189

Declaration: By submitting this report on SLATE, we the group members shall

hereby declare that the work presented in this report is original and not
plagiarised or copied.
Summary

The purpose of this lab was to determine the efficiency of a steam turbine using the
first law of thermodynamics and determining properties using the steam tables. The
findings were as follows: the heat loss of the system to the surroundings during the
experiment was 15.632 kJ, the condenser efficiency was 31.07% and the power
efficiency was 99.96%. The power efficiency in particular seems unusually high
which suggests the presence of errors made during the experiment.

Objective

Use the first law of thermodynamics (conservation of energy) to calculate system

performance values for a steam turbine power generation system. Compare the
actual results with theoretical calculations.

Theory

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy is conserved. This principle
applies to both open and closed systems.

For closed systems, the total energy of the system is given by the following equation:
𝑄𝑛𝑒𝑡, 𝑖𝑛 − 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡, 𝑜𝑢𝑡 = ∆𝐸, where Q is heat, W is work, and ∆𝐸 is the change in
potential, kinetic and internal energy of the system.

For open systems, the mass in the system changes with time, therefore a different
equation is used. In the case of steady state flow, the following equation is used:
2 2
(𝑉1−𝑉2)
0 = 𝑄˙ + 𝑊˙ + 𝑚˙[(ℎ1 − ℎ2) + 2
+ 𝑔(𝑧1 − 𝑧2)], where 𝑄˙ is the rate of heat

transfer, 𝑊˙ is the rate of work (power), and 𝑚˙ is the mass flow rate.

The system being analyzed is an integrated system containing several different

components that require separate analysis. For example, the boiler is considered a
closed system, whereas the turbine and condenser are considered open systems.
Both applications of the first law are required to analyze the system.

Experiments

The experiment that was conducted was the steam turbine electrical generation lab,
due to extra safety precautions needed the lab coordinator assisted with some of the
steps.

1. Pre-lab safety
a. Make sure all operators are capable of running the procedure, be
aware of all potential fire and high pressure hazards.
b. Make sure all operators are aware of the fire exits, extinguishers,
emergency shut offs ect.
 c. If not already running, start the ventilation system.
d. Check to see if caster wheels are locked, if not lock the wheels.
2. Insert the master key but keep it in the off position.
a. Make sure the burner and load switches are also off.
b. Set the load rheostat to the minimum load, fully counterclockwise.
c. Make sure the gas valve is also off.
d. Complete a visual inspection to make sure there are no leaks or
dangers present.
3. Drain the condenser tower using the clear tube and pinch clamp on the rear,
discard of any liquid.
4. Close and latch the front boiler door if not already done.
5. Open the steam admission valve, if this is closed fluid will not flow to the
boiler.
6. Drain the boiler, using the fill/drain valve and the marked beaker and discard
the water.
7. Close the ball valve on the marked beaker then fill it with 5500ml of distilled
water.
a. Place the beaker higher than the boiler fill/drain port, if the condensing
tower is cool then it is a suitable location.
b. Insert the clear tube into the fill/drain port of the boiler, and open the
valve to fill the boiler. Some water may leak.
c. Once the boiler is full, store the beaker somewhere safe.
8. Close the steam admission valve to let the system start and build pressure
safely.
9. Connect the computer DAQ to the left side panel.
a. Make sure the Rankine Cycler system is connected to electrical power.
b. Make sure the fuel line is connected.
10. Start the computer software.
a. Open the fuel source regulator.
b. Turn on the gas valve and allow fuel to flow.
c. Turn the master switch to the on position and wait for the green panel
light.
d. Turn the burner switch to the on position.
11. Purge fuel line by allowing the blower to run for 45s. Then rapidly turn off and
on the burner.
a. Make sure the burner has lit within 45s of turning it on.
b. Monitor boiler pressure for 3 min after lighting, if no pressure gain, shift
off and investigate immediately.
12. Let the system preheat for about 7-10 min.
a. Once the system is preheated some vapour leaks may be present near
the turbine, these are safe.
b. Allow boiler pressure to reach 120 psi or 827 kPa.
c. Steam admission valve should be fully open, counter clock wise.
d. Monitor boiler pressure until its bellow 50 psi or 245kPa.
 e. Close steam valve again.
f. Turn the rheostat back to the original position and the load switch to off.
g. Allow boiler pressure to rise to 120 psi or 827kPa.
13. While maintaining boiler pressure at 120psi or 827kPa, slowly open steam
admission valve.
a. The rate of opening should not change the pressure.
b. Once the turbine begins to rotate it will generate electricity.
c. Continue operation until multimeter reads 9v.
14. The load switch should be on, and the rheostat should be adjusted to maintain
.3A and 8.4V.
15. Wait for steady state.
a. Approximately 0.3A, 8.4V, and 120 psi.
16. Set the sight glass upper level at the current water level.
17. Start the data collection.
a. Allow enough time to run the data collection 10-15min.
b. During the data collection water level must not go below 1” from the
bottom of the sight glass.
c. Note the time at the start and end of the test run.
d. Turn the steam valve to the closed position.
e. Begin the shut down procedure.
f. Set the bottom sight glass level to the new water level.
g. Turn the burner switch to the off position and make sure the light above
is turned off as well.
h. Turn off the gas valve.
i. The rheostat should be turned to the full position.
j. Turn off the load switch and the master key.
k. Fully open steam valve to relieve pressure, but make sure not to
exceed 9V.
l. Turn off the fuel supply.
18. Allow instruments to cool fully and take measurements.
19. Use the marked beaker to collect condensate from the cooling tower.
a. Record the amount and then discard of the water.
20. Ensure there is no boiler pressure, open the steam valve to vent the boiler.
21. Use the beaker to fill the sight glass to the upper level.
a. Empty the beaker.
b. Drain the boiler sight glass to the bottom level. To get the total volume
of water used during the experiment.
Data

Table 1: Constant Values

Atmospheric Pressure (psia) 14.690421

Atmospheric Temperature (°C) 19.77778

Initial Boiler Volume (ml) 4900

Condensate Amount (ml) 870

Boiler Water Used (ml) 2800

Overall Time (s) 585.128

Table 2: Variable Data

Initial Value Fina Value

Fuel Flow (L/min) 5.173 5.217

Boiler Temperature (°C) 189.113 188.183

Boiler Pressure (psig) 123.254 108.529

Turbine Inlet Pressure (psig) 14.982 24.745

Turbine Outlet Pressure 3.013 6.3

(psig)

Turbine Inlet Temperature 130.164 134.917

(°C)

Turbine Outlet Temperature 101.297 112.992

(°C)

Generator (RPM) 1883.95 1614.865

Voltage (V) 7.197 6.187

Current (A) 0.261 0.433

Watts (W) 1.878 2.68

Sample Calculations

1) Since the boiler is a closed rigid tank, work is zero, and so

𝑄 = 𝑚(∆𝑢)
3
1𝐿 1𝑚 3
𝑚 = 2800𝑚𝑙 * 1000 𝑚𝑙
* 1000 𝐿
* 997𝑘𝑔/𝑚 = 2. 7916 𝑘𝑔

At
6.894757 𝑘𝑃𝑎 1 𝑏𝑎𝑟
𝑃1,𝑏𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 123. 254 + 14. 69 = 138. 23 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎 * 1 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎
= 953. 06 𝑘𝑝𝑎 * 100𝑘𝑃𝑎
= 9. 5306 𝑏𝑎𝑟

At Tsat=189.113°C, we need to interpolate to find Psat

𝑃@190°𝐶−𝑃@180°𝐶
𝑃@189.113°𝐶 = 𝑃@180°𝐶 + (189. 113 − 180)( 190−180
)

12.54−10.02
𝑃@189.113°𝐶 = (10. 02) + (189. 113 − 180)( 190−180
) = 12. 316 𝑏𝑎𝑟

Since P@189.113 > P1,boil, therefore it is superheated, meaning that we need to interpolate to find
u@189.113°C

𝑢@189.113°𝐶, 7𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 2615. 75 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔

𝑢@189.113°𝐶, 10𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 2601. 15 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔

𝑢@189.113°𝐶, 9.530𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 2601. 15 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔

𝑃2,𝑏𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 8. 5𝑏𝑎𝑟

𝑃@188.183°𝐶 = 12. 082

P@188.183°C > P2,boil therefore superheated

𝑢188.183,7𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 2614. 12 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔

𝑢188.183,10𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 2599. 37 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔

𝑢188.183,8.5𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 2606. 75 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔

𝑄 = (2. 7916)(2606. 75 − 2601. 15) = 15. 63296 𝑘𝐽

2) Ẇ = ṁ(ℎ𝑖𝑛, 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒 − ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡, 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒)

𝑚 2.7916 𝑘𝑔
ṁ= 𝑡
= 585.128 𝑠
= 0. 004771 𝑘𝑔/𝑠
hin, turbine =h2= 2808.2 kJ/kg

Pout, turbine = 20.99 psia = 1.447 bar

Tout, turbine =112.992°C

Psat @112.992°C =1.598 bar > Pin,turbine

hout, turbine, 1.0bar,112.992°C = 2676.0 kJ/kg

hout, turbine, 1.5bar,112.992°C = 2705.7 kJ/kg

hout, turbine = 2702.6 kJ/kg

Ẇ = (0. 004771)(2808. 2 − 2702. 6) = 0. 5038 𝑘𝑊

𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 (6.187 𝑉)(0.433 𝐴)

Power efficiency = 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
= 2.68 𝑊
* 100% = 99. 96%

3) 𝑄˙ = ṁ(ℎ𝑖𝑛, 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟 − ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡, 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟)

hout, turbine = hin, condenser = 2702.6 kJ/kg

hout, condenser @292.95 = 293.1159 kJ/kg

𝑄˙ = (0. 004771)(293. 1159 − 2702. 6) =− 11. 495 𝑘𝑊

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 870

Condenser efficiency = 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑
= 2800
* 100% = 31. 07%

Discussion and Conclusion

During the Rankine Cycler lab we looked at a steam turbine generator and attempted
to find out its efficiency using thermodynamic properties. Analyzing the integrated
system and applying an energy balance to the system we were able to find the
energy lost as heat, 15.632 kJ, and the power required to run the turbine, 0.503 kW.
With this information we found the power efficiency, 99.96%, and the condenser
efficiency, 31.07%. This led us to question why the system was so efficient at
generating power, while it was losing nearly one third of the heat generated.

One reason our values may be slightly off is due to the amount of interpolation
required to find the correct properties from the steam tables. Another reason is due
to the relatively low accuracy of the water level measurements. The scale on the
beaker had a resolution of 200 ml, the sight glass levels had been set externally and
visually, and some water at the drain/fill port of the boiler would leak during the
process of filling and draining. Some traces of water may have also been left on the
pipes of the boiler. All together this could have a significant impact on the water level
recorded for the boiler usage and could have caused the cooling efficiency to be so
low.