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Vapor Power Cycle Analysis and Calculations

This document presents 8 problems related to analyzing vapor power cycles. The problems involve calculating parameters like net power output, thermal efficiency, heat transfer rates, mass flow rates, and steam properties at different points in Rankine, regenerative Rankine, and binary vapor power cycles using concepts like the first and second laws of thermodynamics.

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Anagha Chimankar
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69 views3 pages

Vapor Power Cycle Analysis and Calculations

This document presents 8 problems related to analyzing vapor power cycles. The problems involve calculating parameters like net power output, thermal efficiency, heat transfer rates, mass flow rates, and steam properties at different points in Rankine, regenerative Rankine, and binary vapor power cycles using concepts like the first and second laws of thermodynamics.

Uploaded by

Anagha Chimankar
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ME 306 Applied Thermodynamics

Problem Set 1: Vapor Power Cycles

1. Superheated steam at 10 MPa and 440°C leaves the steam generator of a vapor power
plant. Heat transfer and frictional effects in the line connecting the steam generator
and the turbine reduce the pressure and temperature at the turbine inlet to 9.5 MPa
and 440°C, respectively. The pressure at the exit of the turbine is 20 kPa, and the
turbine operates adiabatically. Liquid leaves the condenser at 15 kPa, 35°C. The
pressure is increased to 10.5 MPa across the pump. The turbine and pump isentropic
efficiencies are 85%. The mass flow rate of steam is 80 kg/s. Determine
(a) the net power output, in kW.
(b) the thermal efficiency.
(c) the rate of heat transfer from the line connecting the steam generator and the
turbine, in kW.
(d) the mass flow rate of condenser cooling water, in kg/s, if the cooling water enters
at 14°C and exits at 34°C with negligible pressure change.

2. Superheated steam at 16 MPa, 520°C enters the turbine of a vapor power plant. The
pressure at the exit of the turbine is 0.05 bar, and liquid leaves the condenser at 0.04 bar,
25°C. The pressure is increased to 16.2 MPa across the pump. The turbine and pump have
isentropic efficiencies of 80 and 75%, respectively. For the cycle, determine
(a) the net work per unit mass of steam flow, in kJ/kg.
(b) the heat transfer to steam passing through the boiler, in kJ per kg of steam
flowing.
(c) the thermal efficiency.
(d) the heat transfer to cooling water passing through the condenser, in kJ per kg of
steam condensed.

3. An ideal Rankine cycle with reheat uses water as the working fluid. The conditions at
the inlet to the first-stage turbine are p1 = 16 MPa, T1 = 520°C. The steam is reheated
at constant pressure p between the turbine stages to 520°C. The condenser pressure is
6 kPa.
(a) If p/p1 = 0.4, determine the cycle thermal efficiency and the steam quality at the
exit of the second-stage turbine.
(b) Plot the quantities of part (a) versus the pressure ratio p/p1 ranging from 0.04 to
1.0.
4. In a steam power station working on Rankine cycle with reheat, steam enters the first
stage turbine at 160 bar, 440°C. The steam leaving the reheat section of the boiler is
at 40 bar, 440°C. The pressure at the condenser is 0.2 bar. The isentropic efficiency
of the pump and turbine is 85%. Determine the cycle efficiency.

5. Water is the working fluid in an ideal regenerative Rankine cycle with one open feed
water heater. Superheated vapor enters the first-stage turbine at 14 MPa, 520°C, and
the condenser pressure is 6 kPa. The mass flow rate of steam entering the first-stage
turbine is 90 kg/s. Steam expands through the first-stage turbine to 0.9 MPa where
some of the steam is extracted and diverted to an open feed water heater operating at
0.9 MPa. The remainder expands through the second-stage turbine to the condenser
pressure of 6 kPa. Saturated liquid exits the feed water heater at 0.9 MPa.
Determine
(a) the net power developed, in kW.
(b) the rate of heat transfer to the steam passing through the boiler, in kW.
(c) the thermal efficiency.
(d) the mass flow rate of condenser cooling water, in kg/s, if the cooling water
undergoes a temperature increase of 16°C with negligible pressure change in
passing through the condenser.

6. A power plant operates on a regenerative vapor power cycle with two feed water
heaters. Steam enters the first turbine stage as 12 MPa, 520°C and expands in three
stages to the condenser pressure of 6 kPa. Between the first and second stages, some
steam is diverted to a closed feed water heater at 1 MPa; with saturated liquid
condensate being pumped ahead into the boiler feed water line. The feed water leaves
the closed heater at 12 MPa, 170°C. Steam is extracted between the second and third
turbine stages at 0.15 MPa and fed into an open feed water heater operating at that
pressure. Saturated liquid at 0.15 MPa leaves the open feed water heater. For
isentropic processes in the pumps and turbines, determine for the cycle (a) the thermal
efficiency and (b) the mass flow rate into the first-stage turbine, in kg/h, if the net
power developed is 320 MW.

7. A binary vapor power cycle consists of two ideal Rankine cycles with steam and
ammonia as the working fluids. In the steam cycle, superheated vapor enters the
turbine at 8 MPa, 600°C, and saturated liquid exits the condenser at 65°C. The heat
rejected from the steam cycle is provided to the ammonia cycle, producing saturated
vapor at 50°C, which enters the ammonia turbine. Saturated liquid leaves the
ammonia condenser at 1.2 MPa. For a net power output of 22 MW from the binary
cycle, determine
(a) the power output of the steam and ammonia turbines, respectively, in MW.
(b) the rate of heat addition to the binary cycle, in MW.
(c) the thermal efficiency.

8. Water is the working fluid in a cogeneration cycle that generates electricity and
provides heat for campus buildings. Steam at 2 MPa, 320°C enters a two-stage
turbine with a mass flow rate of 0.82 kg/s. A fraction of the total flow, 0.141, is
extracted between the two stages at 0.15 MPa to provide for building heating, and
the remainder expands through the second stage to the condenser pressure of 0.06
bar. Condensate returns from the campus buildings at 0.1 MPa, 60°C and passes
through a trap into the condenser, where it is reunited with the main feed water flow.
Saturated liquid leaves the condenser at 0.06 bar. Each turbine stage has an
isentropic efficiency of 80%, and the pumping process can be considered isentropic.
Determine
(a) the rate of heat transfer to the working fluid passing through the steam generator,
in kJ/h.
(b) the net power developed, in kJ/h.
(c) the rate of heat transfer for building heating, in kJ/h.
(d) the rate of heat transfer to the cooling water passing through the condenser, in
kJ/h.

Common questions

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Different cycle pressures significantly impact the thermal efficiency of vapor power plants. Higher boiler pressures increase the steam's temperature and decrease its specific volume, resulting in higher energy absorption and conversion to work, thereby improving efficiency. On the other hand, lower condenser pressures lead to reduced exhaust steam temperature, increasing the temperature difference during heat rejection, which enhances efficiency. Balancing these pressures is critical for maximizing efficiency, as too high or too low pressures can lead to increased irreversibility and mechanical constraints .

The isentropic efficiency of turbines and pumps directly impacts the thermal efficiency of a regenerative Rankine cycle. Higher isentropic efficiencies indicate that the turbines and pumps operate closer to ideal reversible processes, resulting in less entropy generation and energy losses. This leads to a higher thermal efficiency. Conversely, lower isentropic efficiencies translate to more irreversibilities and energy losses, thus decreasing the overall cycle efficiency .

An ideal Rankine cycle with reheat typically exhibits higher thermal efficiency compared to one without reheat when operating under the same maximum and minimum cycle temperatures. The reheat process reduces moisture content at the turbine's later stages, allowing for further expansion and higher output work. The average temperature of heat addition increases, improving the Carnot efficiency approximation, therefore enhancing the cycle's thermal efficiency compared to a non-reheat cycle .

Considering the isentropic efficiencies of turbines and pumps is crucial because they represent real-world deviations from ideal processes, affecting power output calculations. These efficiencies account for energy losses due to irreversibilities, friction, and heat transfer, which impact the actual work output and required input. Accurately accounting for these inefficiencies is essential for predicting a power plant's performance and ensuring reliable and cost-effective design and operation .

The reheat process improves the thermal efficiency of a Rankine cycle by increasing the average temperature at which heat is added. By reheating the steam after partial expansion and then expanding it further, the cycle reduces moisture content at turbine exhaust, enhancing the turbine's efficiency and minimizing blade erosion. This process increases the net work output for the same heat input, thus improving the cycle's thermal efficiency .

Reducing pressure and temperature before the steam enters a turbine can decrease the enthalpy drop across the turbine, leading to lower power output and efficiency. A decrease in turbine inlet conditions results in less work extracted from the steam, thus negatively impacting the cycle's performance. Such conditions also lead to a decrease in the thermal efficiency of the vapor power plant as less energy is converted into useful work .

In a Rankine cycle, the pressure of the steam exiting the turbine affects the temperature and rate at which heat can be transferred to the condenser cooling water. Lower condenser pressure results in a lower condensing temperature, which allows for more effective heat transfer. The mass flow rate of the cooling water needs to be sufficient to absorb this heat transfer while achieving the desired temperature change, thereby influencing the overall cycle efficiency .

Open and closed feedwater heaters in a regenerative vapor power cycle preheat the feedwater before it enters the boiler. This preheating process uses steam extracted from the turbines, which reduces the fuel required to achieve final steam conditions. As a result, these heaters improve the cycle's thermal efficiency by reducing the amount of heat needed from the boiler, while also increasing the average temperature of heat addition, thus enhancing overall performance .

Extracting steam for building heating in a cogeneration cycle reduces the available enthalpy for power generation, thereby decreasing the power output. However, by utilizing steam for heating alongside power production, the cycle achieves higher overall energy use efficiency. The thermal efficiency, in terms of electricity generation alone, may decrease, but the effective use of waste heat for heating purposes results in better overall energy utilization across both electricity and heating outputs, aligning with cogeneration's objectives .

The main advantages of using a binary vapor power cycle with steam and ammonia are increased efficiency and improved energy utilization. By recovering heat rejected from the steam cycle to power the ammonia cycle, the binary cycle effectively utilizes more thermal energy, thus enhancing the overall efficiency. The use of ammonia, which condenses at lower temperatures, allows the cycle to operate effectively with lower temperature heat sources, broadening the operational range .

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