Question

Maximizing thermal efficiency is of paramount importance in the operation of any power producing system. The Carnot Cycle has the highest efficiency based on the second law of Thermodynamics. It’s not not however the ideal vapor power cycle. With the aid of a T-s diagram discuss why this is the case and how as engineers we would rectify the problem.

Answer 1

So, from above discussion we can conclude that Carnot cycle can't be used in vapour power cycle.

Our aim is to increase the efficiency of the plant, so as an engineer we can rectify or we can do some changes in Rankine cycle only.

Efficiency can be increased either by increasing mean temperature of heat addition or by decreasing mean temperature of heat rejection and it can be obtained in numbers of ways, they are :-

1. By decreasing Condenser pressure

2. By increasing Boiler pressure

3. By Superheating steam in the boiler

4. By Regeneration.