4.

The work ratio is defined as the ratio of

a) positive work output to net work output
b) heat input to work output
c) net work output to positive work output
d) none of the mentioned
Ans: c) net work output to positive work output

5. Work output of turbine is ____ the work input to the pump.

a) much larger
b) much smaller
c) equal to
d) none of the mentioned
Ans; a) much larger

Short answer type questions

1. Write down the expression of thermal efficiency for the carnot cycle.
Ans:

where Tcold is the temperature of the cold reservoir and Thot is the
temperature of the hot reservoir. Both temperatures must be in an absolute
scale (Kelvin).
2. Define back work ratio.
Ans: The back work ratio is the ratio of the work input to the pump to the
work output from the turbine in a Rankine cycle. It is defined as:
3. Define steam rate.

 Ans:  Steam rate is defined as the amount of steam required to produce

a given amount of power. It is typically expressed as kilograms of steam
per kilowatt-hour (kg/kWh) and is a measure of the efficiency of a steam
power plant.

4. Define isentropic efficiency of turbine.

Ans: The isentropic efficiency of a turbine is the ratio of the actual work
output of the turbine to the work output of the turbine in an ideal, isentropic
process (where no entropy is generated):

It measures how closely the actual turbine performance approaches the ideal,
frictionless performance.
5. Define isentropic efficiency of pump.
Ans; The isentropic efficiency of a pump is the ratio of the actual work input to
the pump to the work input of the pump in an ideal, isentropic process (where
no entropy is generated):

It is a measure of how closely the actual pump performance approaches the

ideal pump behavior, where there are no energy losses due to friction and other
factors.

Long Answer type questions

1. Draw the schematic for an ideal Rankine cycle and derive the expression
for thermal efficiency.

Ans: deal Rankine Cycle Schematic

The Rankine cycle is a thermodynamic cycle used in steam power plants. It
consists of four primary processes that involve the phase change of water,
typically in a closed-loop setup. Below is the idealized process for the Rankine
cycle and its schematic.

Schematic of the Ideal Rankine Cycle:

1. Process 1-2 (Isentropic compression in pump):

o Water is compressed from a saturated liquid (at low pressure) to a
high pressure in the pump. The pump work is done on the fluid.
2. Process 2-3 (Isobaric heat addition in boiler):
o The high-pressure liquid water enters the boiler, where heat is
added at constant pressure. This heat converts the water into steam
(superheated or saturated).
3. Process 3-4 (Isentropic expansion in turbine):
o The steam expands in the turbine, producing work. The pressure
and temperature decrease as steam expands isentropically.
4. Process 4-1 (Isobaric heat rejection in condenser):
o The steam enters the condenser, where heat is rejected at constant
pressure. The steam condenses back into liquid water, completing
the cycle.

The Rankine cycle can be represented as a T-s (Temperature-Entropy) diagram

as well as a P-v (Pressure-Volume) diagram, but here, we will focus on the
process and the thermal efficiency formula.

Schematic Representation:
2. Explain the working and analysis of the regenerative rankine cycle with
one feed water heater.

Ans: Regenerative Rankine Cycle with One Feed Water Heater

Working Principle of the Regenerative Rankine Cycle with One Feed

Water Heater:

The Regenerative Rankine Cycle (RRC) is an enhancement of the traditional

Rankine cycle that improves the thermal efficiency of steam power plants by
using a feedwater heater. The idea is to preheat the water entering the boiler by
extracting some steam from the turbine, thus reducing the amount of fuel
needed to generate steam at the same temperature and pressure.

The cycle includes the following main components:

 1. Boiler: It heats the water to produce steam, using heat energy (usually
from combustion of fuel) to transform water into high-pressure steam.
2. Turbine: The high-pressure steam expands in the turbine, doing
mechanical work (usually driving a generator).
3. Condenser: The low-pressure steam exiting the turbine is condensed
back into liquid water in the condenser.
4. Pump: The condenser water is pumped to a high pressure, ready to
return to the boiler.
5. Feedwater Heater: This component extracts a portion of the steam from
the turbine and uses it to heat the feedwater before it enters the boiler.

Working of the cycle with one feedwater heater:

1. Extraction of steam: Steam from the turbine is extracted at an

intermediate pressure, typically between the high-pressure steam leaving
the boiler and the low-pressure steam at the turbine exhaust.
2. Feedwater Heater: The extracted steam is routed to the feedwater heater,
where it heats the incoming feedwater from the pump. The steam from
the turbine condenses in the heater and transfers its heat to the feedwater.
This reduces the amount of steam required in the boiler for the same
amount of power output.
3. Main Steam Cycle: The remaining steam from the turbine continues its
expansion to the condenser, where it loses heat and condenses into water.
This water is pumped back into the feedwater system.

Process Flow (with one feedwater heater):

1. State 1: Water enters the pump as saturated liquid at low pressure

(from the condenser).
2. State 2: Water is pumped to high pressure, but it is still at relatively low
temperature.
3. State 3: The water enters the boiler, where it is heated to produce
steam at high pressure and high temperature.
4. State 4: Steam exits the boiler and enters the turbine. It begins to
expand and lose temperature and pressure as it moves through the
turbine.
5. State 5: Part of the steam is extracted from the turbine at an
intermediate pressure and is routed to the feedwater heater.
6. State 6: The extracted steam condenses in the feedwater heater,
transferring its heat to the feedwater. The remaining steam continues to
expand in the turbine.
7. State 7: The steam exiting the turbine at low pressure is condensed back
into liquid in the condenser.
8. State 8: The liquid water is pumped back into the system to repeat the
cycle.
Efficient

By using a feedwater heater, the amount of heat required from the boiler is
reduced. This is because the water entering the boiler is preheated by the steam
extracted from the turbine, which lowers the required energy input into the
boiler. The effectiveness of the feedwater heater in improving the thermal
efficiency depends on the fraction of steam extracted and the temperature
difference between the extracted steam and the feedwater.

 Thermal efficiency: The thermal efficiency increases because less fuel is

required to reach the same steam temperature, resulting in reduced fuel
consumption for the same work output.
 Regenerative Rankine Cycle Efficiency: The cycle with one feedwater
heater will have a higher efficiency than a basic Rankine cycle due to the
reduced heat input to the boiler, thus improving the overall performance.
3. What are the methods which can lead to increase in thermal efficiency of
Rankine cycle?

Ans: The thermal efficiency of the Rankine cycle can be increased through
several methods, which primarily focus on optimizing heat input, improving
turbine work output, and reducing losses. Here are key methods that can
enhance the thermal efficiency of the Rankine cycle:

A. Superheating the Steam:

 Method: By increasing the temperature of the steam before it enters

the turbine (i.e., superheating), the steam expands more efficiently in
the turbine, leading to a higher average temperature in the cycle.
 Impact on Efficiency: Superheating increases the work output from the
turbine while reducing moisture content at the turbine exit, improving
the cycle's overall efficiency.

B. Regenerative Feedwater Heating:

 Method: This involves using steam extracted from various points of the
turbine to heat the feedwater before it enters the boiler. Typically, this is
achieved through a series of feedwater heaters (usually one or more).
 Impact on Efficiency: By preheating the feedwater, the cycle requires
less fuel input to achieve the same boiler temperature, thereby
improving thermal efficiency. It reduces the fuel consumption required
to heat the water.

C. Increasing the Pressure (High Pressure in Boiler):

 Method: Raising the boiler pressure increases the average temperature

of the cycle, which results in higher thermodynamic efficiency. This is
typically done by using higher pressure steam in the boiler.
 Impact on Efficiency: Higher pressure leads to a higher thermal
efficiency because the heat added to the working fluid is more
effectively converted into mechanical work. However, this method may
require more robust materials for the components.

D. Increasing the Condenser Pressure (Lowering Condenser

Temperature):
  Method: Lowering the pressure at the condenser (by cooling the steam
more effectively) can improve the efficiency. This can be achieved by
using a more effective cooling system (such as cooling towers or
seawater).
 Impact on Efficiency: By reducing the condenser temperature, the
temperature difference between the heat source and the heat sink is
increased, which improves the efficiency of the cycle.

E. Reheat Cycle:

 Method: In this modification, the steam is expanded in two stages, with

reheating occurring between the stages. The steam is partially expanded
in the turbine, then returned to the boiler or a heat exchanger to be
reheated before entering the turbine again.
 Impact on Efficiency: The reheat process prevents excessive moisture
from forming during the second expansion stage, increasing the work
output and improving the overall efficiency of the Rankine cycle.

F. Using a Regenerative Rankine Cycle (with Multiple Reheats and

Feedwater Heaters):

 Method: A combination of reheating and regeneration can significantly

improve the cycle’s efficiency. This involves using multiple heaters and
reheats at different stages of the cycle.
 Impact on Efficiency: This method enhances both the heat recovery and
the steam expansion process, reducing the heat loss and making better
use of the heat energy input into the system.

G. Closed Loop Rankine Cycle:

 Method: In a closed-loop Rankine cycle, an organic working fluid is used

instead of water. The fluid operates at lower temperatures and
pressures, which makes it more efficient in certain applications like
waste heat recovery or geothermal power plants.
 Impact on Efficiency: Organic fluids such as refrigerants can have higher
efficiency at lower temperatures compared to water, making closed-
loop systems more effective in waste heat recovery scenarios.

H. Use of High-Efficiency Turbines:

  Method: Employing advanced turbine designs with higher isentropic
efficiencies can increase the work output from the turbine for a given
steam input.
 Impact on Efficiency: Higher turbine efficiency means that more of the
energy from the steam is converted into useful work, improving the
overall thermal efficiency of the cycle.

I. Optimal Operation of Cycle Components:

 Method: Optimizing the operation of the boiler, turbine, and condenser

(e.g., minimizing irreversibilities and maintaining the optimal pressure
and temperature at various stages).
 Impact on Efficiency: Ensuring that the system operates under ideal
conditions reduces losses and inefficiencies, leading to an overall
increase in thermal efficiency.

J. Advanced Control Systems:

 Method: Using modern control techniques, such as adaptive and

predictive control systems, to maintain optimal operational conditions
for the Rankine cycle.
 Impact on Efficiency: Control systems can dynamically adjust the
parameters of the cycle to account for variations in load, temperature,
and pressure, ensuring the system operates at maximum efficiency at all
times.

4. With the help of a neat diagram explain the working of mercury-water

binary vapour cycle.

Ans: Working of Mercury-Water Binary Vapour Cycle

The Mercury-Water Binary Vapour Cycle is a type of thermodynamic cycle

that uses a combination of mercury and water as working fluids. It is primarily
used for power generation in situations where low-temperature heat sources
(such as geothermal or solar thermal) are available. The main advantage of
using mercury and water together is that mercury can function as a high-
efficiency working fluid at high temperatures, while water is more efficient at
lower temperatures.

The cycle consists of two separate Rankine cycles operating at different

temperature and pressure ranges, one using mercury as the working fluid and
the other using water. These two cycles are combined in a way that allows for
heat exchange between them, leading to improved overall efficiency.

Bags

1. Heating of Mercury:
o Mercury is heated by an external heat source (such as solar or
geothermal energy). The heat increases the temperature of
mercury until it becomes a vapour.
o This is achieved in a boiler or heat exchanger where mercury
absorbs heat.
2. Turbine Expansion (Mercury Cycle):
o The mercury vapour is sent to a turbine where it expands,
producing mechanical work.
o The high-pressure, high-temperature mercury vapour exits the
turbine as lower pressure and temperature vapour.
3. Heat Exchange with Water:
o The lower temperature mercury vapour enters a heat exchanger
where it transfers heat to water in a secondary cycle (the water
cycle).
o The heat transferred from mercury to water causes the water to
evaporate and form steam.
4. Water Expansion (Water Cycle):
o The water steam is sent to a turbine where it expands and does
mechanical work.
o After expansion, the water steam is condensed back into liquid
water in a condenser.
5. Condensation (Mercury Cycle):
o The cooled mercury vapour is condensed in a condenser and
pumped back to the boiler to repeat the cycle.
6. Pump (Mercury and Water Cycle):
o Both mercury and water are pumped back to their respective
boilers. The mercury pump is used to move the condensed
mercury back to the heat exchanger, while the water pump moves
the liquid water back to the boiler.

The entire process operates with two separate cycles (one for mercury and one
for water) but is linked by the heat exchanger where the two fluids exchange
heat, making it an effective way to convert heat from a low-temperature source
into useful work.

Basic Diagram of the Mercury-Water Binary Vapour Cycle:

Key Points:

 Mercury Cycle operates at high temperatures, where mercury’s boiling

point is much higher than water, making it an efficient working fluid at
these high temperatures.
 Water Cycle operates at lower temperatures and pressures, where
water is commonly used in Rankine cycles.
 Heat Exchanger is the critical component in the cycle where heat is
transferred from mercury to water, enabling efficient energy use.
5. A steam power plant works between pressure of 40 bar and 0.05 bar. If the
steam supplied is dry saturated and cycle of operation is Rankine cycle, find

Ans: In a steam power plant operating on the Rankine cycle, the steam supplied
is dry saturated, and the plant works between pressures of 40 bar and 0.05 bar.
To analyze the system, we need to determine a few key properties related to the
steam at these pressures.

Let’s break down the steps to solve this problem.

Step 1: Define the Known Values

 High Pressure (P1) = 40 bar = 4,000 kPa

 Low Pressure (P2) = 0.05 bar = 5 kPa
 Type of steam = Dry saturated steam (i.e., steam with a quality of 1 at
the given pressure)
 Cycle type = Rankine cycle

Step 2: Use steam tables

We will use steam tables to find the properties of the steam at the two different
pressures (40 bar and 0.05 bar).

At P1 = 40 bar (High Pressure):

For dry saturated steam, we look up the properties of steam at 40 bar in the
steam tables.

 Saturated temperature (T1): This is the temperature at which water

boils at 40 bar.
 Specific Enthalpy of saturated steam (h1): This is the enthalpy of steam
at the saturated state.
 Specific Entropy (s1): This is the entropy of the steam at the saturated
state.

At P2 = 0.05 bar (Low Pressure):

At the condenser pressure (0.05 bar), we will also look up the properties for dry
saturated steam.

 Saturated temperature (T2): The temperature at 0.05 bar.

 Specific Enthalpy of saturated liquid (h2): The enthalpy of the liquid
water at this pressure.
  Specific Entropy (s2): The entropy of the saturated liquid at this
pressure.

Step 3: Key Equations for the Rankine Cycle

The Rankine cycle involves the following stages:

1. Isentropic compression from the condenser pressure to the boiler

pressure (from P2 to P1).
2. Heat addition in the boiler (from saturated liquid to saturated steam).
3. Isentropic expansion in the turbine (from P1 to P2).
4. Heat rejection in the condenser (from saturated steam to saturated
liquid).