Modification to Rankine

Cycle
Another way of increasing the thermal
efficiency of the Rankine cycle is by
regeneration.
During a regeneration process, liquid
water (feedwater) leaving the pump is
heated by steam bled off the turbine at
some intermediate pressure in devices
called feedwater heaters.
There are two type of feedwater Heaters :
(a) Open Feedwater Heater
(b) Closed Feedwater Heater

Modification to Rankine
Cycle
Open Feedwater Heater
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.

Modification to Rankine
Cycle

Open Feedwater Heater

Modification to Rankine
Cycle

Open Feedwater Heater

The thermal efficiency of the Rankine
cycle increases as a result of
regeneration.
This is because regeneration raises
the average temperature at which
heat is transferred to the steam in
the boiler by raising the temperature
of the water before it enters the
boiler.

Modification to Rankine
Cycle
Closed Feedwater Heaters
Another type of feedwater heater
used is 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 pressure, since they do not
mix.

Modification to Rankine
Cycle

Closed Feedwater Heaters

Modification to Rankine
Cycle
Difference b/w Open Feedwater Heater
&
Closed Feedwater Heaters
The open feedwater heater mixes the two flows at
the extraction pressure and thus requires two
feedwater pumps.
The closed feedwater heater does not mix the flows
but let them exchange energy (it is a two fluid heat
exchanger). The flows do not have to be at the same
pressure. The condensing source flow is dumped into
the next lower pressure feedwater heater or the
condenser or it is pumped up to line pressure by a
drip pump and added to the feedwater line.

Modification to Rankine
Cycle

Difference b/w Open Feedwater Heater

&
Closed Feedwater Heaters

Numerical problems