METU Department of Mechanical Engineering – ME 204 Thermodynamics II
Answers to Selected Study Problems from Chapter 8
Study Suggestions for This Chapter (in addition to the previous document for Chapter 7):
Try to sketch the system (component) layout of the power cycles in problems.
Always sketch the T-s diagram of the cycles. You may try the p-v diagram as well and think about the areas there
and the related work terms.
In terms of assumptions and the model (basis for the equations), make sure you understand an “ideal Rankine
cycle”, a “simple/basic Rankine cycle”, and various improvements/modifications made, as well as possible
irreversibilities and losses. Remember that a lot of variations may be done for improving the performance of a
simple cycle, but the cycle can still be an ideal cycle. Similarly, you may have a simple cycle, but with many
nonidealities. Thus, understanding the statement of a problem becomes a crucial skill.
Even if it is not asked, you may analyze the components of the power cycle from an exergy point of view and
devise/evaluate their exergetic efficiencies, as well as for the whole cycle.
Think about the answers and comment on them, especially related to the thermal efficiencies and how they are
improved with modifications or impaired with nonidealities.
After a while, you should be comfortable with analyzing any power cycle, even if it may have non-standard
components (such as a flash chamber). As long as you know the working principle of such a component (for
example, from its description), you should be able to analyze it thermodynamically and integrate it into a cycle.
There is a series of problems below, all based on the same simple cycle, starting with 8.9, which was solved in
class. I’ve indicated those with a *. In each problem of the series, a variation to the simple+ideal cycle is done.
Some problems from the series are solved in class, the rest is exercise. Make sure you keep at least 3-4 significant
figures during all calculations when solving the problems, the changes in the results are small.
Note that, if you’re using an online software for properties (for example, [Link] there
might be slight differences in the answers.
8.3 46.8%, 0.344, 1440 kJ/kg, 766 kJ/kg
8.9* (in class) 257 MW, 42.6%, 2.71x10^7 kg/h
8.15 (revision of 8.3) 31.9%, 0.506, 1350 kJ/kg, 920 kJ/kg
8.19* 8.2x108 kJ/h, 2.18x109 kJ/h, 37.7%, 490.6 m3/min
8.23* (in class) 243 MW, 40%, 9000 kJ/kWh, 2.7x10^7 kg/h
8.28* 1.2x109 kJ/h, 5.2x108 kJ/h, 43.8% (corrected)
8.39* 8.44x108 kJ/h, 45.9%, 2.13x107 kg/h
8.40* 7.57x108 kJ/h, 41.2%, 2.32x107 kg/h
8.48* (in class) 228 MW, 44.7%, 2.2x10^7 kg/h
8.49* 7.41x108 kJ/h, 40.3%, 2.36x107 kg/h
8.53* mass fractions are yCFWH = 0.1322, yOFWH = 0.1144. Answers: 7.38x108 kJ/h, 42.4%, 2.15x107 kg/h
8.58* 47.4%
8.59* 43.1%
8.61 msteam = 15.6 kg/s, mammonia = 28.3 kg/s, Wsteam = 20.3 MW, Wammonia = 1.9 MW, Qin = 52.6 MW, 41.9%
8.62 Mistake in problem sketch: State 10 is saturated liquid. 5.2x106 kg/h, 34.5%, 10x109 kJ/h
8.66* (in class) 2.9x10^8 kJ/h, 1.1x10^8 kJ/h, 7.34x10^5 kJ/h, 7.77x10^7 kJ/h, 2.12x10^7 kJ/h
8.68 58 MW