The simple rankine cycle power plant operates on steam between 8kpa and 4mpa

General
1

the simple rankine cycle power plant operates on steam between 8kpa and 4mpa .

2

What is a Simple Rankine Cycle Power Plant and How Does It Operate?

Answer:

The Rankine cycle is a fundamental model used to describe the conversion of heat into work in steam power plants. Here’s a breakdown of how it works, particularly focusing on the pressures you mentioned (8 kPa and 4 MPa).

1. Basic Components:

  1. Boiler: Heats the water to produce steam.
  2. Turbine: The high-pressure steam expands through the turbine, generating work.
  3. Condenser: The steam is cooled here, turning back into liquid water.
  4. Pump: Pressurizes the water to send it back to the boiler.

2. Cycle Process:

The Rankine cycle consists of these main steps:

  1. Pump (1 → 2):

    • Water at low pressure (8 kPa, in this case) is pressurized by the pump to high pressure (4 MPa).
    • This is an adiabatic process, meaning no heat is transferred.

  2. Boiler (2 → 3):

    • The high-pressure water is heated in the boiler using an external heat source.
    • It turns into high-pressure steam (4 MPa).

  3. Turbine (3 → 4):

    • The steam expands through the turbine, producing work as it turns the turbine blades.
    • The pressure drops during this expansion.

  4. Condenser (4 → 1):

    • The steam is condensed back into liquid water at low pressure (8 kPa).
    • The heat extracted during condensation is typically removed to the atmosphere or a cooling body of water.

3. Key Points:

  • Efficiency: The efficiency of the Rankine cycle is influenced by the temperature and pressure differences. Higher pressure and temperature of steam increase efficiency.
  • Pressure Range: Operating between 8 kPa and 4 MPa allows for an efficient cycle, utilizing the steam’s expansive power and its ability to condense at lower temperatures.

4. Applications:

  • Commonly used in thermal power stations, where electricity is generated by driving generators connected to turbines.

Summary:

The Rankine cycle is a crucial concept in thermal engineering, describing how heat energy is converted to mechanical energy in steam power plants. Operating between a low pressure of 8 kPa and a high pressure of 4 MPa allows the cycle to efficiently generate electricity using water and steam.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!