School of Engineering and Sciences

Thermodynamics
Dr. Jorge Francisco Estela

Solution to Workshop 6-212

Power cycles

1. Consider an ideal steam reheat cycle where steam enters the high-pressure turbine at 3.5
MPa, 400°C, and expands to 0.8 MPa. It is then reheated to 400°C and expands to 10 kPa in
the low-pressure section of the turbine. Calculate the cycle thermal efficiency and the
moisture contents of the steam leaving the low-pressure turbine. (S/B/VW 11.16)
R: 0.358; 0.077.

Solution:
The schematic of the problem is:

3500 kPa, 400°C

3
Turbine
Boiler
800 kPa 4
6 10 kPa

5 800 kPa, 400°C Condenser

5

1
2
Sat. Liq.

Pump

The known states are:

State h (kJ/kg) s (kJ/kg.K)

3 (superheated) 3222.22 6.8404
5 (superheated) 3267.07 7.5715
4 (saturated liquid) 721.10 2.0461
4 (saturated vapour) 2769.13 6.6627
6 (saturated liquid) 191.81 0.6492
6 (saturated vapour) 2584.63 8.1501

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 School of Engineering and Sciences
Thermodynamics
Dr. Jorge Francisco Estela

Isentropic analysis of the high-pressure turbine: the isentropic efficiency is 1 because the
statement says that the cycle is ideal.

𝑠4𝑠 = 𝑠3 (800 kPa) ⇒ 𝑇4𝑠 = 205.5°C ⇒ ℎ4𝑠 = 2851.47 kJ/kg = ℎ4 (1.1)

The last equality in Eq. 1.1 occurs because the isentropic efficiency is 1.

Isentropic analysis of the low-pressure pump:

𝑠6𝑠 = 𝑠5 (10 kPa) ⇒ 𝑥6𝑠 = 0.923 ⇒ ℎ6𝑠 = 2400.38 kJ/kg = ℎ6 (1.2)

From Eq. 1.2, as the fraction of saturated vapour is 92.3 percent, then the fraction of
saturated liquid is 7.7 percent.

Energy balance of the turbine:

𝑚ℎ3 + 𝑚ℎ5 = 𝑊𝑡 + 𝑚ℎ4 + 𝑚ℎ6 ⇒ 𝑊𝑡 = 1237.46𝑚 (1.3)

The next step is to calculate the power consumed by the pump with Eq. 6.35 (Chapter 5):

𝑊𝑝 = −𝑚𝑣1 (𝑝2 − 𝑝1 ) = −3.52𝑚 (1.4)

Energy balance of the pump:

ℎ1 = 𝑤𝑝 + ℎ2 ⇒ ℎ2 = 195.33 kJ/kg (1.5)

Energy balance of the boiler:

𝑄𝐻 + 𝑚ℎ2 + 𝑚ℎ4 = 𝑚ℎ3 + 𝑚ℎ5 ⇒ 𝑄𝐻 = 3442.51𝑚 (1.6)

Net power: 𝑊𝑁 = 𝑊𝑡 − 𝑊𝑝 = 1233.94𝑚.

WN 1233.94m
Thermal efficiency: = = = 0.358
QH 3442.51m

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Thermodynamics
Dr. Jorge Francisco Estela

2. Consider an ideal air-standard Brayton cycle in which the air into the compressor is at 100
kPa, 20°C and flowing at 0.35 kmol/s. The pressure ratio across the compressor is 12:1. The
maximum temperature of the cycle is 1100°C. Assume that cp= 7R/2. Calculate the power
needed to drive the compressor, the turbine power output and the thermal efficiency of
the cycle: (JFE 7-122)
R: -3085 kW; 7110 kW; 0.508

Solution:
The schematic of the problem is:

Combustion 1100°C
chamber
2 3

1 100 kPa, 20°C 4

100 kPa
The pressure ratio across the compressor is 12:1, which indicates that the pressure at the
exit of the compressor is 12 times the pressure at the inlet. Therefore, p2 = 1200 kPa.

Eq. 7.5, Chapter 7, gives the thermal efficiency of the Brayton cycle depending only on the
pressure ratio of the cycle and the ratio of specific heats. Regarding the ratio of specific
heats:
7𝑅 5𝑅 𝑐𝑝 7
𝑐𝑝 = 2 ⇒ 𝑐𝑉 2 ⇒ 𝛾 = 𝑐 = 5 = 1.4 (2.1)
𝑉

The thermal efficiency is:

T1 1 1
 = 1− = 1− ( −1) / 
= 1− = 0.508. (2.2)
T2 ( p 2 / p1 ) (12) 0.4 / 1.4

Thus, the thermal efficiency of this cycle is 50.8 percent. It is interesting to arrive at this
result performing the energy balances and second law analysis of the cycle.

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Isentropic analysis of the compressor: as the statement says that the cycle is ideal, the
isentropic efficiency is 1. Eq. 3.40, Chapter 3, gives the isentropic relationship between
temperature and pressure:

𝑇2 𝑝 (𝛾−1)/𝛾
= (𝑝2 ) ⇒ 𝑇2 = 𝑇1 (12)0.4/1.4 = 596 K (2.3)
𝑇1 1

Energy balance of the compressor:

𝑊̇ = 𝑛(ℎ1 − ℎ2 ) = 𝑛𝑐𝑝 (𝑇1 − 𝑇2 ) (2.4)

After replacing in Eq. 2.4, 𝑛 = 0.35 kmol/s and 𝑐𝑝 = 3.5𝑅, with 𝑅 = 8.31451 kJ/kmol.K,
the result is 𝑊𝑐 = −3085 kW.

Energy balance of the combustion chamber:

𝑄𝐻 = 𝑛(ℎ3 − ℎ2 ) = 𝑛𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 ) = 7915 kW (2.5)

Isentropic analysis of the turbine:

𝑇4 𝑝 (𝛾−1)/𝛾
= ( 4) ⇒ 𝑇4 = 𝑇3 (1/12)0.4/1.4 = 675 K (2.6)
𝑇3 𝑝3

Energy balance of the turbine:

𝑊̇ = 𝑛(ℎ3 − ℎ4 ) = 𝑛𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇4 ) = 7109 kW (2.7)

The net power is: 𝑊𝑁 = 𝑊𝑡 − 𝑊𝑐 = 4024 kW.

4024 kW
The thermal efficiency is:  = 7915 kW = 0.508

This is the same result as Eq. 2.2.

3. A steam power plant operates with a boiler output of 20 kg/s steam at 2 MPa, 600°C. The
condenser operates at 50°C, dumping energy to a river that has an average temperature of
20°C. There is one open feedwater heater with extraction from the turbine at 600 kPa and
its exit is saturated liquid. Find the mass flow rate of the extraction flow. If the river water
should not be heated more than 5°C, how much water should be pumped from the river to
the condenser? R: 3.00 kg/s; 1934 kg/s. (S/B/VW 11.23)
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 School of Engineering and Sciences
Thermodynamics
Dr. Jorge Francisco Estela

Solution:
The schematic of the problem is:

2000 kPa, 600ºC

5
Turbine

Boiler
7 50°C 20°C
8
Condenser Condenser
6 600 kPa
4 9 25°C
3 FH 2 1 Sat. Liq.

Sat. Liq.
Pump 2 Pump 1

The known states are:

State h (kJ/kg) s (kJ/kg.K)

1 (saturated liquid) 209.31 0.7037
3 (saturated liquid) 670.54 1.9311
5 (superheated) 3690.14 7.7023
6 (saturated liquid) 67054 1.9311
6 (saturated vapour) 2756.80 6.7600
7 (saturated vapour) 2592.06 8.0762
8 (saturated liquid) 83.94 0.2966
9 (saturated liquid) 104.87 0.3673

As there is no mention to the isentropic efficiency of the turbine, it is assumed to be

isentropic.

Isentropic analysis of the turbine:

𝑠6𝑠 = 𝑠5 (600 kPa) ⇒ 𝑇6𝑠 = 398.3°C ⇒ ℎ6𝑠 = 3266.69 kJ/kg = ℎ6 (3.1)

As the condenser operates at 50°C, the pressure is the saturation pressure at 50°C, i.e.
𝑝1 = 𝑝7 = 12.35 kPa.
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Energy balance of the low-pressure pump:

𝑤𝑝1 = −𝑣1 (𝑝2 − 𝑝1 ) = −0.595 kJ/kg ⇒ ℎ2 = ℎ1 − 𝑤𝑝1 = 209.91 kJ/kg (3.2)

Energy balance of the high-pressure pump:

𝑤𝑝2 = −𝑣3 (𝑝4 − 𝑝3 ) = −1.54 kJ/kg ⇒ ℎ4 = ℎ3 − 𝑤𝑝2 = 672.08 kJ/kg (3.3)

Energy balance of the feedwater heater:

𝑚6 ℎ6 + 𝑚2 ℎ2 = 𝑚3 ℎ3 (3.4)

The mass balance of the feedwater heater is:

𝑚6 + 𝑚2 = 𝑚3 ; 𝑚3 = 𝑚5 = 𝑚 = 20 kg/s (3.5)

Introducing the auxiliary variable 𝑦 = 𝑚6 /𝑚 and replacing into Eq. 3.4:

𝑦𝑚ℎ6 + (1 − 𝑦)𝑚ℎ2 = 𝑚ℎ3 ⇒ 𝑦 = 0.151 (3.6)

Therefore, the mass flow of the extraction is 𝑚6 = 3.00 kg/s, and the mass flow exiting
the turbine is 𝑚7 = 17 kg/s.

Energy balance of the condenser:

𝑚7 ℎ7 + 𝑚8 ℎ8 = 𝑚1 ℎ1 + 𝑚9 ℎ9 (3.7)

Thus the flow taken from the river is 𝑚8 = 1934 kg/s.

4. An ideal steam power plant operates with a combined reheat and regenerative cycle. The
net power output is 10 MW. Steam enters the high-pressure turbine at 8000 kPa and 550°C
and expands to 600 kPa, at which point a fraction of the steam is fed to an open feedwater
heater and the remainder is reheated to 550°C. The reheated steam is expanded in the
low-pressure turbine to 10 kPa. In the boiler, heat is supplied at 1000 K and the heat
rejected at the condenser is received by the ambient at 30°C. Determine the thermal
efficiency of this power cycle and the rate of entropy change. (JFE 7-161)
R: 0.442, 19.1 kW/K.

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Thermodynamics
Dr. Jorge Francisco Estela

Solution:
The schematic is:
8000 kPa, 550°C

5
Turbine
Boiler
600 kPa 6
8 10 kPa

5 550°C 7 Condenser
6 600 kPa
4
3 FH 2 1
Sat. Liq. Sat. Liq.
Pump 2 Pump 1

The known states are:

State h (kJ/kg) s (kJ/kg.K)

1 (saturated liquid) 191.81 0.6492
3 (saturated liquid) 670.54 1.9311
6 (saturated liquid) 67054 1.9311
6 (saturated vapour) 2756.80 6.7600
5 (superheated) 3521.01 6.8778
7 (superheated) 3591.83 8.1346
8 (saturated liquid) 191.81 0.6492
8 (saturated vapour) 2584.63 8.1501

Isentropic analysis of the high-pressure turbine:

𝑠6𝑠 = 𝑠5 (600 kPa) ⇒ 𝑇6𝑠 = 182.32°C ⇒ ℎ6𝑠 = 2792.91 kJ/kg = ℎ6 (4.1)

Isentropic analysis of the low-pressure turbine:

𝑠8𝑠 = 𝑠7 (10 kPa) ⇒ 𝑥8𝑠 = 0.998 ⇒ ℎ8𝑠 = 2579.84 kJ/kg = ℎ8 (4.2)

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Energy balance of the low-pressure pump:

𝑤𝑝1 = −𝑣1 (𝑝2 − 𝑝1 ) = −0.596 kJ/kg ⇒ ℎ2 = ℎ1 − 𝑤𝑝1 = 192.41 kJ/kg (4.3)

Energy balance of the high-pressure pump:

𝑤𝑝2 = −𝑣3 (𝑝4 − 𝑝3 ) = −8.15 kJ/kg ⇒ ℎ4 = ℎ3 − 𝑤𝑝2 = 678.69 kJ/kg (4.4)

Energy balance of the feedwater heater:

𝑚6 ℎ6 + 𝑚2 ℎ2 = 𝑚3 ℎ3 ⇒ 𝑦ℎ6 + (1 − 𝑦)ℎ2 = ℎ3 ⇒ 𝑦 = 0.184 (4.5)

Energy balance of the turbine:

𝑊𝑡 = 𝑚(ℎ5 − ℎ6 ) + (1 − 𝑦)𝑚(ℎ7 − ℎ8 ) = 1551.86𝑚 (4.6)

Net power:

𝑊𝑁 = 𝑊𝑡 − 𝑚𝑤𝑝2 − (1 − 𝑦)𝑚𝑤𝑝1 = 10000 kJ/s ⇒ 𝑚 = 6.48 kg/s (4.7)

Energy balance of the boiler:

𝑄𝐻 = 𝑚(ℎ5 − ℎ4 ) + (1 − 𝑦)𝑚(ℎ7 − ℎ6 ) = 22608 kW (4.8)

Energy balance of the condenser:

𝑄𝐿 = (1 − 𝑦)𝑚(ℎ1 − ℎ18 ) = −12628 kW (4.9)

10000 kW
The thermal efficiency is:  = 22608 kW = 0.442

The rate of entropy change is:

−22608 kJ 12628 kW
∆𝑆𝑇 = + = 19.1 kW/K (4.10)
1000 K 303 K

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5. The figure shows a binary power cycle. In the primary circuit, steam is generated by heat
produced by a nuclear reactor at 1000°C. This steam transfers heat to the secondary cycle
in the heat exchanger and returns to the reactor as saturated liquid. In the secondary
circuit, the turbine has isentropic efficiency of 80 per cent and produces a power output of
50 MW. The condenser takes water from a river at 20°C and returns it at 30°C. Calculate
the thermal efficiency of the system and the rate of entropy change. (JFE 7-112)
R: 0.294; 267.97 kW/K.

600 kPa, 850°C 4000 kPa, 500°C

5 3

Reactor, 20°C 7
Secondary circuit
1000°C 4

Primary circuit
Steam generator
6
2
Sat. liq., 600 kPa 1 8
30°C
Sat. liq., 10 kPa
Solution:

The known states are:

State h (kJ/kg) s (kJ/kg.K)

1 (saturated liquid) 191.81 0.6492
3 (superheated) 3445.21 7.0900
4 (saturated liquid) 191.81 0.6492
4 (saturated vapour) 2584.63 8.1501
5 (superheated) 4275.44 8.8426
6 (saturated liquid) 670.54 1.9311
7 (saturated liquid) 83.94 0.2966
8 (saturated liquid) 125.77 0.4369

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Isentropic analysis of the turbine:

𝑠4𝑠 = 𝑠3 (10 kPa) ⇒ 𝑥4𝑠 = 0.859 ⇒ ℎ4𝑠 = 2246.52 kJ/kg (5.1)

h3 − h4
S = = 0.80  h4 = 2486.26 kJ/kg (5.2)
h3 − h4 S

Energy balance of the pump:

𝑤𝑝 = −𝑣1 (𝑝2 − 𝑝1 ) = −4.03 kJ/kg ⇒ ℎ2 = ℎ1 − 𝑤𝑝 = 195.84 kJ/kg (5.3)

Energy balance of the turbine:

𝑊𝑡 = 𝑚𝑠 (ℎ3 − ℎ4 ) = 50000 kJ/s ⇒ 𝑚𝑠 = 52.1 kg/s (5.4)

Energy balance of the condenser:

𝑚𝑠 ℎ7 + 𝑚𝑎 ℎ8 = 𝑚𝑠 ℎ1 + 𝑚𝑎 ℎ9 ⇒ 𝑚𝑎 = 2857.8 kg/s (5.5)

Energy balance of the steam generator:

𝑚𝑠 ℎ2 + 𝑚𝑝 ℎ5 = 𝑚𝑠 ℎ3 + 𝑚𝑝 ℎ6 ⇒ 𝑚𝑝 = 47.0 kg/s (5.6)

Energy balance of the reactor:

𝑄𝐻 = 𝑚𝑝 (ℎ5 − ℎ6 ) = 169286 kW (5.7)

Net power:

𝑊𝑁 = 𝑊𝑡 − 𝑚𝑠 𝑤𝑝 = 49790 kW (5.8)

49790 kW
The thermal efficiency is:  = 169286 kW = 0.294 (5.9)

Total entropy change:

𝑄
∆𝑆𝑇 = 𝑚𝑎 (𝑠8 − 𝑠7 ) − 𝑇 𝐻 = 267.97 kW/K (5.10)
𝐻

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6. The figure shows a combined gas turbine and steam turbine cycle. The gas turbine cycle is
operated with air, cp= 7R/2. The combustion chamber serves as a heat source at 1800 K.
The condenser of the steam cycle discharges heat to the surroundings at 300 K. The
exhaust gases of the gas turbine transfer heat to the steam in the steam generator. The
isentropic efficiency of both turbines and the compressor is 90 per cent. The pump of the
steam cycle is isentropic Determine the thermal efficiency for a power output of 100 MW.
R: R: 0.464.

1000 kPa Combustion 1600 K

chamber
2 3

1 100 kPa, 300 K Steam generator 4

5

100 kPa, 670 K 3000 kPa, 500°C

6 7

9 8
Sat. liq. Condenser 10 kPa

Solution:

The known states are:

State h (kJ/kg) s (kJ/kg.K)

7 (superheated) 3458.48 7.2337
9 (Saturated liquid) 191.81 0.6492
8 (saturated liquid) 191.81 0.6492
8 (saturated vapour) 2584.63 8.1501

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Isentropic analysis of the steam turbine:

𝑠8𝑠 = 𝑠7 (10 kPa) ⇒ 𝑥8𝑠 = 0.878 ⇒ ℎ8𝑠 = 2292.23 kJ/kg (6.1)

h7 − h8
S = = 0.90  h8 = 2408.66 kJ/kg (6.2)
h7 − h8 S
Energy balance of the pump:

𝑤𝑝 = −𝑣9 (𝑝6 − 𝑝9 ) = −3.02 kJ/kg ⇒ ℎ6 = ℎ9 − 𝑤𝑝 = 194.82 kJ/kg (6.3)

Isentropic analysis of the compressor:

𝑇2𝑠 𝑝 (𝛾−1)/𝛾
= (𝑝2 ) ⇒ 𝑇2𝑠 = 𝑇1 (10)0.4/1.4 = 579 K (6.4)
𝑇1 1

h2 s − h1 T2 s − T1
S = = = 0.90  T2 = 610 K (6.5)
h2 − h1 T2 − T1

Isentropic analysis of the gas turbine:

𝑇4𝑠 𝑝 (𝛾−1)/𝛾
= (𝑝4 ) ⇒ 𝑇4𝑠 = 𝑇3 (1/10)0.4/1.4 = 829 K (6.6)
𝑇3 3

h3 − h4 T − T4
S = = 3 = 0.90  T4 = 906 K (6.7)
h3 − h4 s T3 − T4 s

Energy balance of the compressor:

𝑊𝑐 = 𝑛(ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) = 𝑛𝑐𝑝 (𝑇1 − 𝑇2 ) = −9027𝑛 (6.8)

In Eq. 6.8, n is the molar flow of air in the gas cycle.

Energy balance of the gas turbine:

𝑊𝑔𝑡 = 𝑛(ℎ3 − ℎ4 ) = 𝑛𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇4 ) = 20201𝑛 (6.9)

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Energy balance of the steam turbine:

𝑊𝑠𝑡 = 𝑚(ℎ7 − ℎ8 ) = 1047.82𝑚 (6.10)

In Eq. 6.10, m is the mass flow of steam.

Power of the pump: 𝑊𝑝 = −3.02𝑚 (6.11)

Energy balance of the steam generator:

𝑚ℎ6 + 𝑛ℎ4 = 𝑚ℎ7 + 𝑛ℎ5 ⇒ 𝑚(ℎ7 − ℎ6 ) = 𝑛𝑐𝑝 (𝑇4 − 𝑇5 ) ⇒ 𝑚 = 2.1𝑛 (6.12)

Net power:

𝑊𝑁 = 20201𝑛 − 9027𝑛 + 1047.82𝑚 − 3.02𝑚 = 100000 kW (6.13)

Solving for n gives: n = 7.48 kmol/s; therefore, m = 15.7 kg/s.

Energy balance of the combustion chamber:

𝑄𝐻 = 𝑛(ℎ3 − ℎ2 ) = 𝑛𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 ) = 215454 kW (6.14)

100000 kW
The thermal efficiency is:  = 215454 kW = 0.464 (6.15)

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