VAPOR POWER CYCLES

Dr. Suvanjan Bhattacharyya

Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
BITS Pilani, RJ, India.
Objectives

1. Analyze vapor power cycles in which the working fluid is alternately

vaporized and condensed.
2. Analyze power generation coupled with process heating called
cogeneration.
3. Investigate ways to modify the basic Rankine vapor power cycle to increase
the cycle thermal efficiency.
4. Analyze the reheat and regenerative vapor power cycles.
5. Review power cycles that consist of two separate cycles, known as
combined cycles.

2
Thermal Power Plant

3
Sub-Systems in a Vapor Power Plant

4
Introduction
Steam (Water Vapor)
Steam is the most common working fluid used in vapor power cycles because of
its many desirable characteristics, such as: (a) low cost, (b) availability, and (c)
high enthalpy of vaporization#.

Steam power plants are commonly referred to as: (a) coal plants, (b) nuclear
plants, or (c) natural gas plants, depending on the type of fuel used to supply
heat to the steam.
The steam goes through the same basic cycle in all of them. Therefore, all can be
analyzed in the same manner.

5
6
Carnot Vapor Cycle
Carnot cycle is the most efficient power cycle operating between two specified
temperature limits.
We can adopt the Carnot cycle first as a prospective ideal cycle for vapor power
plants.

Sequence of Processes:
1-2 Reversible and isothermal heating (in a
boiler);
2-3 Isentropic expansion (in a turbine);
3-4 Reversible and isothermal
condensation (in a condenser); and
4-2 Isentropic compression (in a
compressor).

7
Is Carnot Cycle Practical?
The Carnot cycle is NOT a suitable model for
actual power cycles because of several
impracticalities associated with it:
Process 1-2
Limiting the heat transfer processes to two-
phase systems severely limits the maximum
temperature that can be used in the cycle
(374°C for water).
Process 2-3
The turbine cannot handle steam with a high
moisture content because of the impingement
of liquid droplets on the turbine blades causing
erosion and wear.
Process 4-1
It is not practical to design a compressor that
handles two phases. 8
Problem
The Simple Rankine Cycle

Consider a 210-MW steam power plant that operates on a simple ideal Rankine
cycle. Steam enters the turbine at 10 MPa and 500°C and is cooled in the
condenser at a pressure of 10 kPa. Show the cycle on a T-s diagram with
respect to saturation lines, and determine:
(a) the quality of the steam at the turbine exit,
(b) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, and
(c) the mass flow rate of the steam.
Answers: (a) 0.793, (b) 40.2 percent, (c) 165 kg/s

9
The Rankine Cycle

Many of the impracticalities associated

with the Carnot cycle can be eliminated
by: (a) superheating the steam in the
boiler, and (b) condensing the steam
completely in the condenser.

The modified Carnot cycle is called the

Rankine cycle, which is the ideal and
practical cycle for vapor power plants
(Figure 10-2).
This ideal cycle does not involve any
internal irreversibilities.

10
Sequence of Processes

The ideal Rankine cycle consists of

four processes:
1-2 Isentropic compression in a
water pump;
2-3 Constant pressure heat addition
in a boiler;
3-4 Isentropic expansion in a turbine;
4-1 Constant pressure heat rejection
in a condenser.

11
Energy Analysis of Ideal Rankine Cycle
The pump, boiler, turbine, and condenser are steady-flow devices. Thus all four
processes that make up the ideal Rankine cycle can be analyzed as steady-flow
processes.
The kinetic and potential energy changes of the steam are usually small. Thus the
Steady-flow Energy Equation per unit mass of steam reduces to:

Energy Interactions
The boiler and condenser do not
involve any work but both involve
with heat interactions.
The pump and the turbine are
assumed to be isentropic and both
involve work interactions.
12
Energy Interactions in Each Device
Pump: The work needed to operate the water pump,
where,

Boiler: The amount of heat supplied

in the steam boiler,

Turbine: The amount of work produced

by the turbine,

Condenser: The amount of heat

rejected to cooling medium in the
condenser,
13
Performance of Ideal Rankine Cycle
Thermal Efficiency
The thermal efficiency of the Rankine cycle is determined
from,

where the net work output,

Thermal efficiency of Rankine cycle can

also be interpreted as the ratio of the
area enclosed by the cycle on a T-s
diagram to the area under the heat-
addition process. 14
Actual Vapor Power Cycles
The actual vapor power cycle differs from the ideal Rankine cycle as a result of
irreversibilities in various components. Two common sources of irreversibilities are:
(a) fluid friction, and (b) heat loss to the surroundings.

Fluid friction causes pressure drops in the

boiler, condenser, and the piping between
various components. Water must be
pumped to a higher pressure - requires a
larger pump and larger work input.

More heat needs to be transferred to the

steam in the boiler to compensate for the
undesired heat losses from the steam to the
surroundings.
As a result, the cycle thermal efficiency
decreases.

15
Isentropic Efficiencies
A pump requires a greater work input, and a turbine produces a smaller work
output as a result of irreversibilities.
The deviation of actual pumps and turbines from the isentropic ones can be
accounted for by utilizing isentropic efficiencies, defined as,

Pump:

Turbine:

In actual condensers, the liquid is usually sub-

cooled to prevent the onset of cavitation, which
may damage the water pump. Additional losses
occur at the bearings between the moving parts as
a result of friction. Two other factors are the
steam that leaks out during the cycle and air that
16
leaks into the condenser.
Problem
The Simple Rankine Cycle

Consider a steam power plant that operates on a simple ideal Rankine cycle
and has a net power output of 45 MW. Steam enters the turbine at 7 MPa and
500°C and is cooled in the condenser at a pressure of 10 kPa by running
cooling water from a lake through the tubes of the condenser at a rate of 2000
kg/s. Show the cycle on a T-s diagram with respect to saturation lines, and
determine:
(a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle,
(b) the mass flow rate of the steam, and
(c) the temperature rise of the cooling water.
Answers: (a) 38.9 percent, (b) 36 kg/s, (c) 8.4°C

17
Increasing Efficiency of Rankine Cycle
Thermal efficiency of the ideal Rankine cycle can be increased by: (a) Increasing the
average temperature at which heat is transferred to the working fluid in the boiler, or
(b) decreasing the average temperature at which heat is rejected from the working
fluid in the condenser.
Lowering the Condenser Pressure
The condensers of steam power plants usually
operate well below the atmospheric pressure.
There is a lower limit to this pressure depending
on the temperature of the cooling medium.
Side effect: Lowering the condenser pressure
increases the moisture content of the steam at
the final stages of the turbine – can cause blade
damage, decreasing isentropic efficiency.

18
Superheating the Steam to High Temperatures

Superheating the steam increases both the

net work output and heat input to the
cycle. The overall effect is an increase in
thermal efficiency of the cycle.
Superheating to higher temperatures will
decrease the moisture content of the steam
at the turbine exit, which is desirable – avoid
erosion of turbine blades.
The superheating temperature is limited by
metallurgical considerations. Presently the
highest steam temperature allowed at the
turbine inlet is about 620°C.

19
Increasing the Boiler Pressure

Increasing the boiler pressure raises the

average temperature at which heat is
transferred to the steam. This, in turns
increases the thermal efficiency of the
cycle.
Note:
For a fixed turbine inlet temperature, the
cycle shifts to the left and the moisture
content of steam at the turbine exit
increases.
This side effect can be corrected by
reheating the steam.

20
Problem
The Reheat Rankine Cycle

10–34
Consider a steam power plant that operates on a reheat Rankine cycle and has
a net power output of 80 MW. Steam enters the high-pressure turbine at 10 MPa
and 500°C and the low-pressure turbine at 1 MPa and 500°C. Steam leaves the
condenser as a saturated liquid at a pressure of 10 kPa. The isentropic
efficiency of the turbine is 80 percent, and that of the pump is 95 percent. Show
the cycle on a T-s diagram with respect to saturation lines, and determine:
(a) the quality of the steam at the turbine exit,
(b) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, and
(c) the mass flow rate of the steam.
Answers: (a) 88.1°C, (b) 34.1 percent, (c) 62.7 kg/s

21
The Ideal Reheat Rankine Cycle
Reheating is a practical solution to the excessive moisture problem in turbines, and
it is commonly used in modern steam power plants. This is done by expanding the
steam in two-stage turbine, and reheat the steam in between the stages.

Note: Incorporation of the single reheat in a modern power plant improves the cycle 22
efficiency by 4 ~ 5 percent.
With a single reheating process, the total heat input and the total turbine work
output for the ideal cycle become,

23
Problem
The Reheat Rankine Cycle

A steam power plant operates on the reheat Rankine cycle. Steam enters the
high-pressure turbine at 12.5 MPa and 550°C at a rate of 7.7 kg/s and leaves at
2 MPa. Steam is then reheated at constant pressure to 450°C before it expands
in the low-pressure turbine. The isentropic efficiencies of the turbine and the
pump are 85 percent and 90 percent, respectively. Steam leaves the condenser
as a saturated liquid. If the moisture content of the steam at the exit of the
turbine is not to exceed 5 percent, determine:
(a) the condenser pressure,
(b) the net power output, and
(c) the thermal efficiency.
Answers: (a) 9.73 kPa, (b) 10.2 MW, (c) 36.9 percent.

24
The Ideal Regenerative Rankine Cycle
• Reheating has the limited ability to improve the thermodynamic
efficiency of Rankine cycle, but is quite useful in the reduction of
moisture in the turbine.

• However it is observed that the largest single loss of energy in a

power plant occurs at the condenser in which the heat is rejected to
the coolant.

• Hence reducing this rejected heat drastically improves efficiency.

• In both ideal and reheat cycle the condensate is returned to the

boiler at the lowest temperature of the cycle.

• The fluid is heated to saturation by direct mixing in the steam drum

of the boiler, by furnace radiation in both tubes or by gas convection
heating by the flue gases in the economizer.
25
The Ideal Regenerative Rankine Cycle
• All these methods involve large temperature differences and are
inherently irreversible.

• Instead of resorting to such a procedure, a method of feed water

heating is considered.

• In the simple Rankine cycle the average temperature of heat

addition is quite low.

• If the amount of heat required for this purpose is supplied

internally, the cycle thermal efficiency would approach to that of
Carnot cycle.

• This could be done in a regenerative cycle in which feed water

is preheated by the expanding steam.
26
• The thermal efficiency of the Rankine cycle increases as a result
of regeneration.
The Ideal Regenerative Rankine Cycle
• This is because regeneration raises the average temperature at which
heat is transferred to the steam in the boiler by raising the temperature
of water before it enters the boiler.

• A practical regeneration process in steam power plants is accomplished

by extracting or “bleeding” steam from the turbine at various points
.
• This steam which could have produced more work by expanding further
in the turbine is used to heat the feed water instead.

• The device where the feed water is heated by regeneration is called

regenerator or a feed water heater (FWH).

• A feed water heater is basically a heat exchanger where heat is

transferred from steam to the feed water.

27
The Ideal Regenerative Rankine Cycle

28
 The Ideal Regenerative Rankine Cycle
Rankine Steam Power Cycle with an Open Feedwater Heater
600
3000 kPa
500
5
500 kPa
400
T [C]

300
10 kPa
6
200 4

2 3
100
7

0
1
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
29
s [kJ/kg-K]
Reheat – Regenerative cycle
A schematic flow diagram and T-s diagram of a reheat-regenerative
plant with two open feed water heaters are shown below.

30
Reheat – Regenerative cycle

31
Power Plant Schematic Diagram

32
2. If in problem (1), the turbine and the pump have
each 85% efficiency, find the % reduction in the
net work and cycle efficiency for Rankine cycle.

Solution: If P = 0.85, T = 0.85

WP 1.737
WP    2.0435kJ / kg
0.85 0.85
WT = T WT = 0.85 (522.47) = 444.09 kJ/kg
Wnet = WT – WP = 442.06 kJ/kg
% reduction in work output =
520.73  442.06
 15.11%
33

520.73
WP = h1S – h4 h1S = 2.0435 + 384.25 = 386.29 kJ/kg
QH – h2 – h1S = 2794.1 – 386.29 = 2407.81 kJ/kg

442.06
 cycle   0.1836
2407.81
% reduction in cycle efficiency
0.2162  0.1836
  15.08%
0.2162

34
 Note: Alternative method for problem 1 using h-s diagram (Mollier
diagram) though the result may not be as accurate as the analytical
solution. The method is as follows
Since steam is dry saturated at state 2, locate this state at the pressure
P2 = 17.5 bar on the saturation line and read the enthalpy at this state.
This will give the value of h2

35
As the expansion process 2-3 is isentropic, draw a vertical line through
the state 2 to meet the pressure line, P = 0.75 bar. The intersection of the
vertical line with the pressure line will fix state 3. From the chart, find the
value of h3.
The value of h4 can be found from the steam tables at pressure, P = 0.75
bar, as h4 = hf4.
After finding the values of h2, h3 and h4, apply the equation used in the
analytical solution for determining the Rankine cycle  and SSC.
3. Steam enters the turbine of a steam power plant, operating on
Rankine cycle, at 10 bar, 3000C. The condenser pressure is 0.1
bar. Steam leaving the turbine is 90% dry. Calculate the
adiabatic efficiency of the turbine and also the cycle ,
neglecting pump work.
Solution:

36
P1 = 10 bar t2 = 3000C
P3 = 0.1 bar , x3 = 0.9,t = ?
cycle = ? Neglect WP
From superheated steam tables,
Page no 18
For P2 = 10 bar and t2 = 3000C,
h2 = 3052.1 kJ/kg, s2 = 7.1251 kJ/kg
From table A – 1, For P3 = 0.1 bar
tS = 45.830C hf = 191.8 hfg = 2392.9
Sf = 0.6493 Sfg = 7.5018
Since x3 = 0.9, h3 = hf4 + x3 hfg3
= 191.8 +0.9 (2392.9)
= 2345.4 kJ/kg
Also, since process 2-3s is (wet steam and) isentropic, S2 = S3S
i.e., 7.1251 = Sfg4 + x3S Sfg3
= 0.6493 + x3S (7.5018)
x3S = 0.863
h3S = 191.8 + 0.863 (2392.9) = 2257.43 kJ/kg 37
 h2  h3 3052.1  2345.4
 Turbine efficiency, t    0.89
h2  h3S 3052.1  2257.43

WT h2  h3
 cycle   but h1  191.8 kJ/kg
QH h2  h1

3052.1  2345.4
  0.25 i.e., 25%
3052.1  191.8

38
4. A 40 MW steam plant working on Rankine cycle operates between
boiler pressure of 4 MPa and condenser pressure of 10 KPa. The
steam leaves the boiler and enters the steam turbine at 4000C. The
isentropic  of the steam turbine is 85%. Determine (i) the cycle 
(ii) the quality of steam from the turbine and (iii) the steam flow
rate in kg per hour. Consider pump work.

39
Solution:
P2 = 4 MPa = 40 bar
P3 = 10 KPa = 0.1 bar
P = 40000kW
t2 = 4000C ,t = 0.85 ,
cycle = ? & x3 = ?
h2  h 40 bar , 4000 C
 3215.7kJ / kg and s2 = 6.7733 kJ/kg-K

h4  h f 0.1bar  191.8kJ / kg
Process 2-3s is isentropic i.e., S2 = S3S
6.7733 = 0.6493 + x3S (7.5018)
x3S = 0.816
h3S = hf3 + x3S hfg3 = 191.8 + 0.816 (2392.9)
= 2145.2 kJ/kg
h2  h3 3215.7  h3
But  t  i.e., 0.85 
h2  h3S 3215.7  2145.2

h3 = 2305.8 kJ/kg

40
WT = h2 – h3 = 3215.7 – 2305.8 = 909.9 kJ/kg
WP = vdP = 0.0010102 (40 – 0.1) 105/102
= 4.031 kJ/kg
= h1 – h4 h1 = 195.8 kJ/kg

Wnet 909.9  4.031

(i)  cycle    29.9%
Q1 3215.7  195.8
(ii) x3 = ?
we have 2305.8 = 191.8 + x3 (2392.9)
x3 = 0.88
(iii) P  m  Wnet
i.e., 40000 = m (905.87)
 = 44.2 kg/s
m
41
= 159120 kg/hr
5. An ideal reheat cycle utilizes steam as the working fluid.
Steam at 100 bar, 4000C is expanded in the HP turbine to
15 bar. After this, it is reheated to 3500C at 15 bar and is
then expanded in the LP turbine to the condenser
pressure of 0.5 bar. Determine the thermal  and steam
rate.
Solution:

42
From steam tables
P = 100 bar t = 4000C = v = 0.026408m3/kg
h = 3099.9 kJ/kg
S = 6.2182 kJ/kg-K
P = 15 bar tS = 192.280C, vf = 0.0011538m3/kg,
vg = 0.13167m3/kg
hf = 844.6 kJ/kg,
hfg = 1845.3 kJ/kg,
hg = 2789.9 kJ/kg
sf = 2.3144kJ/kg-K,
sfg = 4.1262 kJ/kg-K, 43

sg = 6.4406 kJ/kg-K
At P = 0.5 bar & tS = 81.350C,
vf = 0.0010301 m3/kg, vg = 3.2401 m3/kg
hf = 340.6 kJ/kg, hfg = 2305.4 kJ/kg, hg = 2646.0 kJ/kg
sf = 1.0912 kJ/kg-K, sfg = 6.5035 kJ/kg-K, sg = 7.5947 kJ/kg-K

h2 = 3099.9 kJ/kg,
Process 2-3s is isentropic, i.e., S2 = S3S
6.2182 = 2.3144 + x3S (4.1262) x3S = 0.946
h3S = 844.6 + x3S (1845.3) = 2590.44 kJ/kg
Expansion of steam in the HP turbine = h2 – h3S
= 3099.9 – 2590.44
44
= 509.46 kJ/kg
P = 15 bar, t = 3500C = v = 0.18653
h = 3148.7
s = 7.1044
Expansion of steam in the LP cylinder = h4 – h5s
h4 = 3148.7 kJ/kg
To find h5s:
We have S4 = S5s
7.1044 = Sf5 + x5S Sfg5
= 1.0912 + x5S (6.5035)
x5S = 0.925
h5s = 340.6 + 0.925 (2305.4) = 2473.09 kJ/kg
Expansion of steam in the LP turbine = 3148.7 – 2473.09
45

= 675.61 kJ/kg
h6 = hf for P3 =0.5 bar i.e., h6 = 340.6 kJ/kg
Pump work, WP = h1s – h6
= vf5 (P3 – P1) = 0.0010301 (100 – 0.501 x 105)
= 10.249 kJ/kg
h1s = 350.85 kJ/kg
Heat supplied,
QH = (h2 – h1S) + (h4 – h3S)
= (3099.9 – 350.85) + (3148.7 – 2590.44)
= 2749.05 kJ/kg + 558.26
= 3307.31 kJ/kg
Wnet W HP  W LP  WP
  th  
QH QH
509.46  675.61  10.25
  0.355
3307.31
3600 46
Steam rate, SSC   3.064kg / kWh
Wnet
b) When  of the HP turbine, LP turbine and feed pump are
80%, 85% and 90% respectively.

h2  h3 3099.9  h3
 tHP   0.8 
h2  h3s 3099.9  2590.44

h3 = 2692.33 kJ/kg 47

 h4  h5 3148.7  h5
 tLP   0.85  h5 = 2574.43 kJ/kg
h4  h5s 3148.7  2473.09

h15  h6 350.85  340.6

P   0.9  h1 = 351.99 kJ/kg
h1  h6 h1  340.6
h2  h3   h4  h5   h1  h6 
 th 
h2  h1   h4  h3 


3099.9  2692.33  3148.7  2574.43  351.99  340.6
3099.9  351.99  3148.7  2692.33
= 0.303 or 30.3% SSC = 3.71 kg/kWh
Using Mollier-chart: h2 = 3095 kJ/kg, h3s = 2680 kJ/kg,
h4 = 3145 kJ/kg, h5 = 2475 kJ/kg, 48
h6 = 340.6 kJ/kg (from steam tables), WP = 10.249 kJ/kg
6. Steam at 50 bar, 3500C expands to 12 bar in a HP stage, and is dry
saturated at the stage exit. This is now reheated to 2800C without
any pressure drop. The reheat steam expands in an intermediate
stage and again emerges dry and saturated at a low pressure, to be
reheated a second time to 2800C. Finally, the steam expands in a LP
stage to 0.05 bar. Assuming the work output is the same for the
high and intermediate stages, and the efficiencies of the high and
low pressure stages are equal, find: (a)  of the HP stage (b)
Pressure of steam at the exit of the intermediate stage, (c) Total
power output from the three stages for a flow of 1kg/s of steam, (d)
Condition of steam at exit of LP stage and (e) Then  of the reheat
cycle. Also calculate the thermodynamic mean temperature of
energy addition for the cycle.

49
P1 = 50 bar t2 = 3500C P2 = 12 bar t4 = 2800C, t6 =
2800C P3 = ? P4 = 0.05 bar
From Mollier diagram
h2 = 3070kJ/kg h3s = 2755 kJ/kg h3 = 2780
kJ/kg h4 = 3008 kJ/kg
h2  h3 3070  2780 50
(a) t for HP stage   = 0.921
h2  h3s 3070  2755
(b) Since the power output in the intermediate stage equals
that of the HP stage, we have
h2 – h3 = h4 – h5
i.e., 3070 – 2780 = 3008 – h5
h5 = 2718 kJ/kg
Since state 5 is on the saturation line, we find from Mollier chart, P3
= 2.6 bar,
Also from Mollier chart, h5s = 2708 kJ/kg, h6 = 3038 kJ/kg,
h7s = 2368 kJ/kg
Since t is same for HP and LP stages,
h6  h7 3038  h7
t   0.921   h7  2420.93kJ/kg
h6  h7 s 3038  2368
At a pressure 0.05 bar, h7 = hf7 + x7 hfg7
2420.93 = 137.8 + x7 (2423.8) 51
x7 = 0.941
Total power output = (h2 – h3) + (h4 – h5) + (h6 – h7)
= (3070 – 2780) + (3008 – 2718) + (3038 – 2420.93)
= 1197.07 kJ/kg
Total power output /kg of steam = 1197.07 kW
For P4 = 0.05 bar from steam tables, h8 = 137.8 kJ/kg;
WP = 0.0010052 (50 – 0.05) 102 = 5.021 kJ/kg
= h8 – h1s
h1s = 142.82 kJ/kg
Heat supplied, QH = (h2 – h1s) + (h4 – h3) + (h6 – h5)
= (3070 – 142.82) + (3008 – 2780) + (3038 – 2718)
= 3475.18 kJ/kg 52
Wnet = WT – WP = 1197.07 – 5.021 = 1192.05 kJ/kg

Wnet 1192.05
 th    0.343
QH 3475.18

 th  1 
To
 1
273  32.9
 0.343,
Tm Tm
305.9 Tm = 465.6 K
0.657 
Tm
Or
h2  h1s 3070  142.82
Tm    492K
S 2  S1s 6.425  0.4763

3600 53
SSC   3.02kg / kWh
1192.05
7. A steam power station uses the following
cycle: Steam at boiler outlet – 150 bar; reheat at
40 bar, 5500C; condenser at 0.1 bar. Using Mollier
chart and assuming that all processes are ideal,
find (i) quality at turbine exhaust (ii) cycle  (iii)
steam rate.
Solution:

54
 P2 = 150 bar t2 = 5500C P3 = 40 bar t3 = 5500C
P5 = 0.1 bar
From Mollier diagram i.e., h-s diagram
h3 = 3050 kJ/kg
h5 = 2290 kJ/kg
x5 = 0.876 kJ/kg
h6 can not determined from h-s diagram, hence steam tables are used.
h2  h 150 bar ,5500 C  3450kJ / kg

h4  h 40 bar ,5500 C  3562kJ / kg h6  h f 0.1bar  191.8kJ / kg

Process 6-1 is isentropic pump work i.e., WP1 = vdP

= 0.0010102 (40 – 01) 105/103 = 4.031 kJ/kg
= (h1 – h6)
h1 = 195.8 kJ/kg 55
(i) Quality of steam at turbine exhaust = x5 = 0.876
WT  WP
(ii)  cycle 
QH
Turbine work, WT = WT1 + WT2
= (h2 – h3) + (h4 – h5)
= (3450 – 3050) + (3562 – 2290)
= 1672 kJ/kg

QH = Q1 + QR = (h2- h1) + (h4 – h3)

= (3450 – 195.8) + (3562 – 3050)
= 3766.2 kJ/kg
1672  4.031 1667.97
 cycle    0.443
3766.2 3766.2
3600 56
(iii) Steam rate   2.16kg / kWh
1667.97
8. An ideal Rankine cycle with reheat is designed to
operate according to the following specification.
Pressure of steam at high pressure turbine = 20 MPa,
Temperature of steam at high pressure turbine inlet =
5500C, Temperature of steam at the end of reheat =
5500C, Pressure of steam at the turbine exhaust = 15
KPa. Quality of steam at turbine exhaust = 90%.
Determine (i) the pressure of steam in the reheater (ii)
ratio of pump work to turbine work, (iii) ratio of heat
rejection to heat addition, (iv) cycle .

57
Solution:

P2 = 200 bar t2 = 5500C t4 = 5500C P5 = 0.15 bar x5 = 0.9

From Mollier diagram,
h2 = 3370 kJ/kg
h3 = 2800 kJ/kg
h4 = 3580 kJ/kg
h5 = 2410 kJ/kg
x5 = 0.915
58
P3 = P4 = 28 bar
 But given in the data x5 = 0.9
From steam tables h6 = 226 kJ/kg
Pump work WP = vdP
= 0.001014 (200 – 0.15) 105/103
= 20.26 kJ/kg
But WP = h1 – h6 h1 = 246.26 kJ/kg

(i) Pressure of steam in the reheater = 28 bar

(ii) Turbine work WT = (h2 – h3) + (h4 – h5)

= (3370 – 2800) + (3580 – 2410)
= 1740 kJ/kg

Ratio of WP  0.0116 i.e., 1.2%

WT
59
 (iii) QL = (h5 – h6) = (2410 – 226) = 2184 kJ/kg
QH = (h2 – h1) + (h4 – h3)
= (3370 – 226) + (3580 – 2800)
= 3924 kJ/kg

QL
  0.5565 i.e., 55.65%
QH

(iv)  cycle 
Wnet

1740  20.26
 0.4383 i.e., 43.8%
QTotal 3924

60
9. An ideal regenerative cycle operates with dry saturated steam, the
maximum and minimum pressures being 30 bar and 0.04 bar
respectively. The plant is installed with a single mixing type feed
water heater. The bled steam pressure is 2.5 bar. Determine (a) the
mass of the bled steam, (b) the thermal  of the cycle, and (c) SSC in
kg/kWh.

Solution:

61
 P1 = 30 bar P2 = 2.5 bar P3 = 0.04 bar
From steam tables, For P1 = 30 bar, h2 = 2802.3 kJ/kg,
S2 = 6.1838 kJ/kg0k
But S2 = S3s i.e., 6.1838 = 1.6072 + x3 (5.4448)x3 = 0.841
h3 = 535.4 + 0.841 (2281.0) = 2452.68 kJ/kg
Also S2 = S4s i.e., 6.1838 = 0.4225 + x4 (8.053) x4 = 0.715
h4 = 121.4 + 0.715 (2433.1) = 1862.1 kJ/kg
At P3 = 0.04 bar, h5 = 121.4 kJ/kg, v5 = 0.001004 m3/kg
Condensate pump work = (h6 – h5) = v5 (P2 – P3)
= 0.001004 (2.5 – 0.04) (105/103)
= 0.247 kJ/kg 62

h6 = 0.247 + 121.4 = 121.65 kJ/kg

 Similarly, h1 = h7 + v7 (P1 – P2) (105/103)
= 535.4 + 0.0010676 (30 – 2.5) 102
= 538.34 kJ/kg
a) Mass of the bled steam:
Applying the energy balance to the feed water heater
mh3 + (1 – m) h6 = 1 (h7)

m 
h7  h6 

535.4  121.65
 0.177kg / kg
h3  h6  2452.68  121.65 of steam

b) Thermal :
Turbine work, WT = 1 (h2 – h3s) + (1 – m) (h3 – h4s)
(2802.3 – 2452.65) + (1 – 0.177) (2452.68 – 1862.1)
= 835.67 kJ/kg
63
Pump work, WP = (1 – m) (h6s – h5) + 1 (h1s – h7)
= (1 – 0.177) (121.65 – 121.4) + 1 (538.34 – 535.4)
= 3.146 kJ/kg
Wnet = WT – WP = 832.52 kJ/kg
Heat supplied, QH = 1 (h2 – h1s) = 1 (2802.3 – 538.34)
= 2263.96 kJ/kg
Wnet 832.52
 th    0.368 or 36.8%
QH 2263.96

c) SSC: 3600
SSC   4.324kg / kWh 64
Wnet
10.Steam at 20 bar and 3000C is supplied to a turbine in a
cycle and is bled at 4 bar. The bled-steam just comes out
saturated. This steam heats water in an open heater to
its saturation state. The rest of the steam in the turbine
expands to a condenser pressure of 0.1 bar. Assuming

65
the turbine efficiency to be the same before and after
bleeding, find: a) the turbine  and the steam quality
at the exit of the last stage; b) the mass flow rate of bled
steam 1kg of steam flow at the turbine inlet; c) power
output / (kg/s) of steam flow; and d) overall cycle .
Solution:

66
P1 = 20 bar t1 = 3000C P2 = 4 bar P3 = 0.1 bar
From steam tables,
For P1 = 20 bar and t1 = 3000C
v2 = 0.12550 h2 = 3025.0 S2 = 6.7696
For P2 = 4 bar, h3 = 2737.6, ts = 143.63
hf = 604.7, hfg = 2132.9, Sf = 1.7764,
Sfg = 5.1179, Sg = 6.8943
For P2 = 0.1 bar, 45.83, 191.8, 2392.9, 2584.8, 0.6493,
7.5018, 8.1511
We have, S2 = S3s i.e., 6.7696 = 1.7764 + x3 (5.1179)
x3 = 0.976 67
 h3s = 604.7 + 0.976 (2132.9) = 2685.63 kJ/kg

h2  h3 3025  2737.6
 t    0.847
h2  h3s 3025  2685.63

S3 = S4s i.e., 6.8943 = 0.6493 + x4 (7.5018)

x4s = 0.832
h4s = 191.8 + 0.832 (2392.9) = 2183.81kJ/kg
But t is same before and after bleeding i.e.,

h3  h4
t 
h3  h4 s
68
 2737.6  h4
i.e., 0.847
2737.6  2183.81
h4 = 2268.54 kJ/kg
h4 = hf4 + x4 hfg4 x4 = 0.868

b) Applying energy balance to open heater,

mh3 + (1 – m) h6s = 1 (h7)
Condensate pump work, (h6s – h5) = v5 (P3 – P2)
= 0.0010102 (3.9) 102
= 0.394 kJ/kg
h6s = 191.8 + 0.394 = 192.19 kJ/kg
Similarly, h1s = h7 + v7 (P1 – P2)
= 604.7 + -.0010839 (16) 102 = 606.43 kJ/kg
h7  h6 604.7  192.19
m  m   0.162
2737.6  192.19
69
h3  h6
c) Power output or WT = (h2 – h3) + (1 – m) (h3 – h4)
(3025 – 2737.6) + (1 – 0.162) (2737.6 – 2268.54)
= 680.44 kJ/kg
For 1kg/s of steam, WT = 680.44 kW
Wnet
d) Overall thermal efficiency,  0 
QH
WP = (1 – m) (h6s – h5) + 1 (h1s – h7)
= (1 – 0162) (192.19 – 191.8) + 1 (606.43 – 604.7)
= 2.057 kJ/kg
Wnet = 680.44 – 2.057 = 678.38 kJ/kg
QH = 1 (h2 – h1s) = (3025 – 606.43) = 2418.57 kJ/kg
678.38
 0   0.2805
70

2418.57
Using Moiller Diagram

71
11. Steam at 50 bar, 3500C expands to 12 bar in a HP stage, and
is dry saturated at the stage exit. This is now reheated to
2800C without any pressure drop. The reheat steam expands
in an intermediate stage and again emerges dry and
saturated at a low pressure, to be reheated a second time to
2800C. Finally, the steam expands in a LP stage to 0.05 bar.

72
Assuming the work output is the same for the high and
intermediate stages, and the efficiencies of the high and low
pressure stages are equal, find: (a)  of the HP stage (b)
Pressure of steam at the exit of the intermediate stage, (c)
Total power output from the three stages for a flow of 1kg/s
of steam, (d) Condition of steam at exit of LP stage and
(e) Then  of the reheat cycle. Also calculate the
thermodynamic mean temperature of energy addition for the
cycle.
Solution:

P1 = 50 bar t2 = 3500C P2 = 12 bar t4 = 2800C,

t6 = 2800C P3 = ? P4 = 0.05 bar
From Mollier diagram
h2 = 3070kJ/kg h3s = 2755 kJ/kg h3 = 2780 kJ/kg
h4 = 3008 kJ/kg

h2  h3 3070  2780
(a) t for HP stage  
73

h2  h3s 3070  2755 = 0.921

(b) Since the power output in the intermediate stage equals
that of the HP stage, we have
h2 – h3 = h4 – h5
i.e., 3070 – 2780 = 3008 – h5 h5 = 2718 kJ/kg
Since state 5 is on the saturation line, we find from Mollier chart,
P3 = 2.6 bar,
Also from Mollier chart, h5s = 2708 kJ/kg, h6 = 3038 kJ/kg,
h7s = 2368 kJ/kg
Since t is same for HP and LP stages,
h6  h7 3038  h7
t   0.921   h7  2420.93kJ/kg
h6  h7 s 3038  2368
At a pressure 0.05 bar, h7 = hf7 + x7 hfg7
2420.93 = 137.8 + x7 (2423.8) x7 = 0.941
Total power output = (h2 – h3) + (h4 – h5) + (h6 – h7)
= (3070 – 2780) + (3008 – 2718) + (3038 – 2420.93)
74
= 1197.07 kJ/kg
Total power output /kg of steam = 1197.07 kW
 Total power output /kg of steam = 1197.07 kW
For P4 = 0.05 bar from steam tables, h8 = 137.8 kJ/kg;
WP = 0.0010052 (50 – 0.05) 102 = 5.021 kJ/kg = h8 – h1s
h1s = 142.82 kJ/kg
Heat supplied, QH = (h2 – h1s) + (h4 – h3) + (h6 – h5)
= (3070 – 142.82) + (3008 – 2780) +
(3038 – 2718)= 3475.18 kJ/kg
Wnet = WT – WP = 1197.07 – 5.021 = 1192.05 kJ/kg
75
 Wnet 1192.05
 th    0.343
QH 3475.18

 th  1 
To
 1
273  32.9
 0.343,
Tm Tm

305.9
0.657  Tm = 465.6 K
Tm
Or
h2  h1s 3070  142.82
Tm    492K
S 2  S1s 6.425  0.4763
3600
SSC   3.02kg / kWh 76

1192.05
12.Steam at 30 bar and 3500C is supplied to a steam
turbine in a practical regenerative cycle and the steam
is bled at 4 bar. The bled steam comes out as dry
saturated steam and heats the feed water in an open
feed water heater to its saturated liquid state. The rest
of the steam in the turbine expands to condenser

77
pressure of 0.1 bar. Assuming the turbine  to be same
before and after bleeding determine (i) the turbine , (ii)
steam quality at inlet to condenser, (iii) mass flow rate
of bled steam per unit mass rate at turbine inlet and (iv)
the cycle .
Solution:

P2 = 30 bar t2 = 3500C P3 = 4 bar P4 = 0.1 bar

h3 = hg at P3 = 4 bar, = 2737.6 kJ/kg

78
 From superheated steam tables,
h2 = h3  hg P3 4bar  2737.6 kJ / kg

h2  h P2 30 bar & t 2 3500 C

 3117.5 kJ / kg and S2 = 6.7471 kJ/kg-K

h5  h f P5 0.1bar  191.8 kJ / kg

h7  h f P7  4bar  604.7 kJ / kg
Process 2-3s is isentropic, i.e., S2 = S3S
6.7471 = 1.7764 + x3S (5.1179)
x3S = 0.971
h3S = hf3 + x3S hfg3
= 604.7 + 0.971 (2132.9) 79
= 2676.25 kJ/kg
Process 3-4s is isentropic i.e., S3 = S4S
i.e., 6.8943 = 0.6493 + x4S (7.5018)
x4S = 0.832
h4S = 191.8 + 0.832 (2392.9) = 2183.8 kJ/kg
Given, t (before bleeding) = t (after bleeding)
We have, t (before bleeding)  h2  h3  3117.5  2737.6  0.86
h2  h3S 3117.5  2676.25
h3  h4 2737.6  h4
 0.86    h4  2261.33kJ / kg
h3  h4 S 2737.6  2183.8
But h4 = hf4 + x4 hfg4
2261.33 = 191.8 + x4 (2392.9)
x4 = 0.865
i.e., Dryness fraction at entry to condenser = x4 = 0.865 80
 iii) Let m kg of steam is bled. Applying energy balance to FWH,
mh3 + (1 – m) h6 = h7
We have WP1 = (h6 – h5) = vdP
= 0.0010102 (4 – 0.1) 105/103
= 0.394 kJ/kg
h6 = 0.394 + 191.8 = 192.19 kJ/kg
Substituting,
m (2737.6) + (1 – m) 192.19 = 604.7
m = 0.162 kg
Also, WP2 = (h1 – h7) = vdP
= 0.0010839 x (30 – 4) 102
= 2.82 kJ/kg
h1 = 2.82 + 604.7 = 607.52 kJ/kg
WT  WP h2  h3   1  mh3  h4   1  mh6  h5   h1  h2 
 cycle  
QH h2  h1  81

cycle = 0.31
13.In an ideal reheat regenerative cycle, the high pressure turbine
receives steam at 20 bar, 3000C. After expansion to 7 bar, the
steam is reheated to 3000C and expands in an intermediate
pressure turbine to 1 bar. A fraction of steam is now extracted for
feed water heating in an open type FWH. The remaining steam
expands in a low pressure turbine to a final pressure of 0.05 bar.

82
Determine (i) cycle thermal , (ii) specific steam consumption,
(iii) quality of steam entering condenser.
 Solution:
h2  h 20 bar , 3000 C
 3025kJ / kg
and s2 = 6.7696kJ/kg-K
Process 2-3 is isentropic i.e., S2 = S3
6.7696 = 1.9918 + x3 (4.7134) 83

x3 = 1.014
 i.e., state 3 can be approximated as dry saturated.

 h3  h 7 bar , dry sat. = 2762kJ/kg

 h4  h 7 bar , 3000 C  3059.8kJ / kg and s4 = 7.2997 kJ/kg-K

Process 4-5 is isentropic, S4 = S5
i.e., 7.6798 = 0.4763 + x5 (7.9197)
x5 = 0.909
h5 = 137.8 + 0.909 (2423.8) = 2342.41 kJ/kg

h6  h f 0.05 bar  137.8kJ / kg h7 = h6 (since WP1 is neglected)

h8  h f 6.4 bar  681.1kJ / kg

84
h1 = h8 (since WP2 is neglected)
 (ii) Applying energy balance to FWH,
mh3 + (1 – m) h7 = h8
m (2758.1) + (1 – m) 137.8 = 681.1
m = 0.313 kg/kg of steam
(iii) W1 = WHP = (h2 – h3)= (3398.8 – 2758.1 = 640.7 kJ/kg
W2 = WLP = (1 – m) (h4 – h5)
= (1 – 0.313) (3269.96 – 2342.41) = 637.2 kJ/kg
Wnet = W1 + W2 = 1277.9 kJ/kg
Power 80000
Steam flow rate through HP turbine    62.6kg / s
Wnet 1277.9
(iv) cycle = ? QH = (h2 – h1) + (1 – m) (h4 – h3) = 3069.35 kJ/kg
Wnet 1277.9
 cycle    0.42 85
QH 3069.35
15. In a single heater regenerative cycle, the steam enters the
turbine at 30 bar, 4000C and the exhaust pressure is 0.01 bar. The
feed water heater is a direct contact type which operates at 5 bar.
Find (i) thermal  and the steam rate of the cycle, (ii) the increase
in mean temperature of heat addition,  and steam rate as
compared to the Rankine cycle without regeneration. Pump work

86
may neglected.
 Solution:
h2  h 20 bar , 3000 C
 3025kJ / kg and s2 = 6.7696kJ/kg-K
Process 2-3 is isentropic
i.e., S2 = S3
6.7696 = 1.9918 + x3 (4.7134)
x3 = 1.014
i.e., state 3 can be approximated as dry saturated. 87
  h3  h 7 bar , dry sat. = 2762kJ/kg
 h4  h 7 bar , 3000 C  3059.8kJ / kg and s4 = 7.2997 kJ/kg-K

Process 4-5 is isentropic i.e., S4 = S5

7.2997 = 1.3027 + x5 (6.0571) x5 = 0.99

88
h5 = hf5 + x5 hfg5 = 417.5 + 0.99 (2257.9) = 2652.9 kJ/kg
Process 5-6 is isentropic i.e., S5 = S6
7.2997 = 0.4763 + x6 (7.9197) x6 = 0.862
h6 = 137.8 + 0.862 (2423.8) = 2226.1 kJ/kg
h7 = = 137.8 kJ/kg
Neglecting WP1,
h8 = h7, Also neglecting WP2, h9 = h1 = 417.5 kJ/kg
Applying energy balance to FWH
mh5 + (1 – m) h8 = h9
i.e., m (2652.9) + (1 – m) 137.8 = 417.5
m = 0.111 kg/kg of steam

89
h2  h3   h4  h5   1  mh5  h6 
(i) C   0.35
h2  h1   h4  h3 
(iii) Quality of steam entering condenser, x6 = 0.862
3600
(ii) SSC   3.57kg / kWh
Wnet