Rankine Cycle Efficiency Calculator
Calculate thermal efficiency of Rankine cycle using boiler, condenser, and turbine parameters. Step-by-step solutions for steam power plants and turbines.
Rankine cycle efficiency calculator:
This Rankine Cycle Efficiency Calculator is used to find the thermal efficiency of steam power cycles. Input boiler and condenser pressures, turbine inlet temperature, and optional superheat to calculate work output, heat input and cycle efficiency in step-by-step calculation.
Rankine cycle efficiency Tool Formula:
First Law of Thermodynamics:
\[ \textrm{Efficiency } (\eta) = 1 - \frac{Tc}{Th} \]
Rankine Cycle Efficiency Calculator is a tool used by engineers, students and researchers to calculate thermal efficiency of power plant steam power cycles. Rankine cycle is common in steam turbines and is the ideal cycle of boiler, turbine, condenser and pump.
The user is able to key in boiler pressure, condenser pressure, turbine inlet temperature and optionally superheat or reheat settings. Through the calculator, the thermal efficiency η, work output of turbine, work of pump, heat input and net work is calculated, using standard Rankine cycle formulas. The conversion of energy in each of the components is described in step-by-step solutions, and it is therefore easy to analyze ideal and real-world processes in steam power plants, industrial turbines, and thermal engineering applications.
SI units are accepted: kPa, MPa, o C, K, kJ/kg, MW. Mechanical engineers, thermal engineers, power plant engineers, and students will find this tool appropriate because it will provide the right way of energy analysis and performance evaluation of Rankine cycles and steam turbines.
⚡ Work & Installation Input to Output:
Input:
- Boiler pressure (P_boiler)
- Condenser pressure (P_condenser)
- Turbine inlet temperature (T_in)
- Optional: superheat or reheat parameters
- Units: kPa, MPa, °C, K, kJ/kg
Processing:
- Compute turbine work output using enthalpy drop: W_turbine = h1 – h2
- Compute pump work: W_pump = h4 – h3
- Compute heat added in boiler: Q_in = h1 – h4
- Compute thermal efficiency: η = (W_turbine – W_pump) / Q_in
- Validate input values and unit consistency
Output:
- Thermal efficiency (η)
- Turbine work output (W_turbine)
- Pump work (W_pump)
- Heat added in boiler (Q_in)
- Net work output
- Step-by-step formulas and calculations
Testing and Final Adjustments
Test common scenarios:
- P_boiler = 10 MPa, P_condenser = 10 kPa, T_in = 500°C → compute η
- Include superheat effect: T_superheat = 550°C → recalculate W_turbine and η
- Edge cases: low condenser pressure, high superheat, large temperature differences
- Units validation: °C ↔ K, kPa ↔ MPa, kJ/kg ↔ MJ/kg
- Step-by-step clarity for students and engineers
- Mobile/desktop UX: numeric keypad, labels, dropdowns for units
- Include examples: industrial steam turbine, thermal power plant analysis
- SEO metadata: "Rankine Cycle Efficiency Calculator," "Steam Power Plant Tool," "Turbine Work & Efficiency Calculator," schema markup
Frequently Asked Questions - Rankine Cycle Efficiency Calculator:
What is the Rankine cycle?
The Rankine cycle is an ideal thermodynamic cycle for steam power plants, consisting of boiler, turbine, condenser, and pump.
How do I calculate Rankine cycle efficiency?
η = (W_turbine – W_pump) / Q_in, where W_turbine is turbine work, W_pump is pump work, and Q_in is heat added in the boiler.
Which parameters are needed?
Boiler pressure, condenser pressure, turbine inlet temperature, and optional superheat or reheat data.
Can I include superheat or reheat effects?
Yes, the calculator allows superheated or reheated steam to improve turbine work and efficiency.
Which units are supported?
Pressure in kPa or MPa, temperature in °C or K, energy in kJ/kg or MW.
Who should use this calculator?
Mechanical and thermal engineers, power plant engineers, and students analyzing steam cycles.
Does it compute turbine and pump work?
Yes, step-by-step calculations for turbine work and pump work are provided.
Can it calculate net work output?
Yes, net work output = W_turbine – W_pump.
Why is Rankine cycle efficiency important?
It determines how effectively a steam power plant converts heat into mechanical work.
Does it show step-by-step calculations?
Yes, all formulas and intermediate steps are displayed for clarity and verification.
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