Power plants use two main thermodynamic cycles: Rankine and Brayton. The , used in steam power plants, involves water changing phases. The , used in , keeps air in gas form throughout.
Both cycles have similar processes but differ in working fluids and heat rejection. Rankine cycles are generally more efficient due to lower heat rejection temperatures. Understanding these cycles is key to analyzing systems.
Rankine Cycle
Components of Rankine cycle
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heats working fluid (water) to produce high-pressure steam
expands steam converting thermal energy to mechanical work (electricity generation)
condenses low-pressure steam back into liquid form (heat rejection to environment)
pressurizes liquid working fluid and returns it to boiler completing the cycle
Processes in Rankine cycle
Isentropic compression in pump pressurizes working fluid
Isobaric heat addition in boiler heats working fluid at constant pressure producing steam
Isentropic expansion in turbine expands steam generating mechanical work
Isobaric heat rejection in condenser condenses steam back into liquid at constant pressure
Applications in power generation include steam power plants (coal, nuclear) using Rankine cycle as fundamental thermodynamic cycle
Brayton Cycle
Components of Brayton cycle
compresses working fluid (air) to high pressure
heats compressed air by burning fuel (natural gas, kerosene)
Turbine expands hot, high-pressure gases converting thermal energy to mechanical work
(optional) cools exhaust gases and preheats compressed air improving efficiency
Processes in Brayton cycle
Isentropic compression in compressor compresses working fluid
Isobaric heat addition in combustion chamber heats working fluid at constant pressure
Isentropic expansion in turbine expands hot gases generating mechanical work
Isobaric heat rejection to atmosphere or via heat exchanger at constant pressure
Applications in gas turbines include jet engines for aircraft propulsion and gas turbine power plants for electricity generation
Rankine vs Brayton cycle efficiency
Rankine cycle uses water undergoing phase changes, Brayton cycle uses gas (air) remaining gaseous
Both have isobaric heat addition, but Rankine has isobaric heat rejection while Brayton has isobaric or heat exchanger rejection
Both involve isentropic compression and expansion processes
Rankine efficiency depends on max/min fluid temperatures, Brayton on compressor pressure ratio and max/min temperatures
Brayton cycles generally have lower efficiencies than Rankine due to higher heat rejection temperature
Calculations for thermodynamic cycles
Rankine cycle
Net work output Wnet=Wt−Wp (turbine work minus pump work)
Heat input Qb added in boiler
ηth=QbWnet=QbWt−Wp
Brayton cycle
Net work output Wnet=Wt−Wc (turbine work minus compressor work)
Heat input Qin added in combustion chamber
Thermal efficiency ηth=QinWnet=QinWt−Wc
Pressure ratio rp (compressor outlet to inlet pressures) affects efficiency
ηth=1−rp(γ−1)/γ1 where γ is specific heat ratio