Improvement of Steam Rankine Power Cycle:

Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

Objectives:
By the end of this topic, students will have the ability to:
1. Distinguish between open and closed feedwater heaters.
2. Explain the operational principles of regenerative power plants.
3. Create and assess thermodynamic models for both ideal and practical
regenerative power plants, including schematic drawings and
accompanying T-s diagrams.
4. Analyze property data at key points in the cycle using steam tables and
software.
5. Apply mass and energy balances to ideal and practical regenerative
power cycle processes.
6. Calculate power cycle performance parameters (thermal efficiency, back
work ratio, heat rate), net power output, and mass flow rates.

27/03/2023

[Engr. Angelo Acenas, MEE]

 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

Introduction
The quest for higher thermal efficiency led to several improvements to the simple
Rankine Power Plant. Based on the previous lessons, we learned that the cycle
efficiency can be increased in three ways: increasing the boiler pressure, increasing the
superheating temperature, and decreasing the condenser pressure. In this lesson, we
will explore the effect of raising the temperature of the liquid leaving the pump (called
the feedwater) before it enters the boiler.

What is Feedwater?
Feedwater is water that undergoes purification or
preheating and is then supplied to boilers for hot
water and steam production. It is typically found in
steam power plants where it is stored and
conditioned in tanks, known as boiler feedwater. A
careful examination of the T-s diagram of the
Rankine cycle reveals that heat is transferred to
the working fluid during process 2 - 2′ at a
relatively low temperature. We learned from
previous analysis that increasing the average
temperature during heat addition increases the
thermal efficiency. To remedy this shortcoming,
we look for ways to raise the temperature of the liquid leaving the pump (called the
feedwater) before it enters the boiler.

What are the different ways to increase the average temperature of feedwater?
1. Regeneration using counterflow heat exchanger
To increase the average temperature of the feedwater,
heat is transferred to the feedwater from the expanding
steam in a counterflow heat exchanger built into the
turbine. This solution is impractical because it is difficult
to design such a heat exchanger and because it would
increase the moisture content of the steam at the final
stages of the turbine.

P a g e 2 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

2. Regeneration using feedwater heater

A practical regeneration process in steam power
plants is accomplished by extracting, or “bleeding”,
steam from the turbine at various points and using
this steam to heat the feedwater.
The device where the feedwater is heated by
regeneration is called feedwater heater (FWH).

Regeneration using the two types of feedwater heater

1. Open FWH

An open (also called direct-contact) feedwater heater is basically a mixing chamber,

where the steam extracted from the turbine mixes with the feedwater exiting the pump.
The pressure of the extracted steam and the feedwater exiting the pump needs to be at
the same pressure in order to achieve mixing. Ideally, the mixture leaves the heater as
a saturated liquid at the heater pressure. The thermal efficiency of the Rankine cycle
increases as a result. This is because regeneration raises the average temperature at
which heat is transferred to the steam in the boiler by raising the temperature of the

P a g e 3 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

water before it enters the boiler. The cycle efficiency increases further as the number of
feedwater heaters is increased. Many large plants in operation today use as many as
eight feedwater heaters. The optimum number of feedwater heaters is determined from
economic considerations. The use of an additional feedwater heater cannot be justified
unless it saves more in fuel costs than its own cost.

2. Closed FWH

In closed feedwater heater, heat is transferred from the extracted steam to the
feedwater without any mixing taking place. The two streams now can be at different
pressures, since they do not mix. In an ideal closed feedwater heater, the feedwater is
heated to the exit temperature of the extracted steam, which ideally leaves the heater
as a saturated liquid at the extraction pressure.
There are two different schemes for removing the liquid
condensate from the closed feedwater heater. The first
method is by means of a pump whose function is to
pump the condensate forward to a higher-pressure point
in the cycle. The schematic diagram is shown.

P a g e 4 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

The second method is by means of expanding the

liquid condensate through a trap into a feedwater
heater operating at a lower pressure or into the
condenser. A trap is a type of valve that permits only
liquid to pass through to a region of lower pressure.

Difference between open and closed feedwater heaters

Open feedwater heaters Closed feedwater heaters
Simple More Complex
Inexpensive More expensive
Good heat transfer Less effective heat transfer since
characteristics there is no mixing
Bring feedwater to saturation
state
For each heater, a pump is Does not require a pump for
required to handle the feedwater each heater

P a g e 5 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

Cycle analysis using one FWH

The analysis of regenerative Rankine cycle varies depending on the number and types
of heater. In this analysis, we shall focus our attention on single feedwater heaters only.
1. Ideal regenerative Rankine cycle with 1 OPEN FWH

Processes:
1. Steam enters the turbine at the boiler pressure (state 5) and expands isentropically to an
intermediate pressure (state 6).
2. Some steam is extracted at state 6 and routed to the open feedwater heater.
3. The remaining steam continues to expand isentropically to the condenser pressure
(state 7).
4. The team leaves the condenser as a saturated liquid at the condenser pressure (state
1).
5. The condensed water, which is also called the feedwater, then enters an isentropic
pump, where it is compressed to the feedwater heater pressure (state 2).
6. The feedwater is routed to the feedwater heater, where it mixes with the steam extracted
from the turbine from state 6.
7. The fraction of the steam extracted is such that the mixture leaves the heater as a
saturated liquid at the heater pressure (state 3).
8. A second pump raises the pressure of the water to the boiler pressure (state 4).
9. The cycle is completed by heating the water in the boiler to the turbine inlet state (state
5).

P a g e 6 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

Cycle analysis
For each 1 kg of steam leaving the boiler, y kg expands partially in the turbine and is extracted
at state 6. The remaining (1 – y) kg expands completely to the condenser pressure. Therefore,
the mass flow rates are different in different components. If the mass flow rate through the boiler
is m, for example, it is (1 – y) m through the condenser.

a. Mass and energy analysis in the open FWH

The mass and energy entering the OFWH are at state 6 and state 2, while the mass and energy
leaving is at state 3.
By mass balance in the open feedwater heater:

∑ min = ∑ mout

m6 + m2 = m3

By energy balance in the open feedwater heater:

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m6 h6 + m2 h2 = m3 h3
myh6 + m(1 − y)h2 = mh3
yh6 + (1 − y)h2 = h3
yh6 + h2 − yh2 = h3
𝐡𝟑 − 𝐡𝟐
𝐲=
𝐡𝟔 − 𝐡𝟐
y represents the fraction of steam extracted from the turbine

b. Mass and energy analysis in the pumps

By energy balance in the inlet and outlet of pump
1, taking pump work as energy input.

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m1 h1 + Wpump,1 = m2 h2

The mass flow through pump I

m1 = m2 = m(1 − y)

P a g e 7 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

m(1 − y)h1 + Wpump,1 = m(1 − y) h2

Wpump,1 = m(1 − y) h2 − m(1 − y)h1

𝐖𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩,𝟏 = 𝐦(𝟏 − 𝐲) (𝐡𝟐 − 𝐡𝟏 )

Alternative formula:
𝑊𝑝𝑢𝑚𝑝,1 = 𝑚(1 − 𝑦)𝑣1 (𝑃2 − 𝑃1 )

By energy balance in the inlet and outlet of pump

2, taking pump work as energy input.

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m3 h3 + Wpump,2 = m4 h4

The mass flow through pump II

m3 = m4 = m
mh3 + Wpump,2 = m h4

Wpump,2 = mh4 − mh3

𝐖𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩,𝟐 = 𝐦(𝐡𝟒 − 𝐡𝟑 )
Alternative formula:
𝑊𝑝𝑢𝑚𝑝,2 = 𝑚𝑣3 (𝑃4 − 𝑃3 )

Thus, the total pump work input required becomes

Wpump = Wpump,1 + Wpump,2

𝐖𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩 = 𝐦(𝟏 − 𝐲) (𝐡𝟐 − 𝐡𝟏 ) + 𝐦(𝐡𝟒 − 𝐡𝟑 )

This represents the energy or power required by the pump using one open FWH.

c. Mass and energy analysis in the turbine

By energy balance in the inlet and outlet of the
turbine, taking turbine work as energy output.

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m5 h5 = Wturbine + m6 h6 + m7 h7
The mass flow through the turbine

P a g e 8 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

m5 = m, m6 = my, m7 = m(1 − y)
mh5 = Wturbine + myh6 + m(1 − y)h7
Wturbine = mh5 − myh6 − m(1 − y)h7
𝐖𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞 = 𝐦𝐡𝟓 − 𝐦𝐲𝐡𝟔 − 𝐦(𝟏 − 𝐲)𝐡𝟕
This represents the energy or power output in the turbine using one open FWH.

d. Mass and energy analysis in the boiler

By energy balance in the inlet and outlet of the
boiler, taking heat addition as energy input:

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m4 h4 + Q in = m5 h5
The mass flow through the boiler
m4 = m5 = m
mh4 + Q in = mh5
𝐐𝐢𝐧 = 𝐦(𝐡𝟓 − 𝐡𝟒 )
This represents the energy added in the boiler using one open FWH.

e. Mass and energy analysis in the

condenser
By energy balance in the inlet and outlet of the
condenser, taking heat rejection as energy out:

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m7 h7 = Q out + m1 h1
The mass flow through the condenser
m7 = m1 = m(1 − y)
m(1 − y)h7 = Q out + m(1 − y)h1
𝐐𝐨𝐮𝐭 = 𝐦(𝟏 − 𝐲)(𝐡𝟕 − 𝐡𝟏 )
This represents the energy rejected in the condenser using one open FWH.

P a g e 9 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

f. Mass and energy analysis in the entire

power cycle
The four main energies associated in the cycle are
the turbine work, total pump work, heat added,
and heat rejected.

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

Q in + Wpump = Q out + Wturbine

𝐐𝐢𝐧 − 𝐐𝐨𝐮𝐭 = 𝐖𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞 − 𝐖𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩

This represents the net work of the cycle

P a g e 10 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

2. Ideal regenerative Rankine cycle with 1 CLOSED FWH

U SING PUMP II TO REMOVE LIQUID CONDENSATE FROM THE CLOSED FEEDWATER HEATER

U SING TRAP TO REMOVE LIQUID CONDENSATE FROM THE CLOSED FEEDWATER HEATER

P a g e 11 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

Processes (considering the 2nd setup which uses steam trap)

1. Steam enters the turbine at the boiler pressure (state 4) and expands isentropically to an
intermediate pressure (state 5).
2. Some steam is extracted at state 5 and routed to the closed feedwater heater.
3. Since there is no mixing that occurs in the closed FWH, this extracted steam becomes a
saturated liquid condensate at state 7 and is routed to the condenser (state 8) using a
steam trap. This process happens at constant enthalpy.
4. The remaining steam from the turbine continues to expand isentropically to the
condenser pressure (state 6).
5. The liquid condensate from the steam trap (state 8) and the remaining steam from
turbine (state 6) mixes in the condenser.
6. The mixture leaves the condenser as a saturated liquid at the condenser pressure (state
1).
7. The condensed water, which is also called the feedwater, then enters an isentropic
pump, where it is compressed to the boiler pressure (state 2).
8. The feedwater is routed to the closed feedwater heater and heat transfer happens
without mixing with the steam extracted from the turbine from state 5.
9. The feedwater experienced an increase in temperature after leaving the closed
feedwater heater (state 3). The temperature of the feedwater leaving the CFWH and the
saturated liquid condensate is taken to be equal.
10. The cycle is completed by heating the feedwater in the boiler to the turbine inlet state
(state 3).

Note: the process will be different for the 1st setup which uses pump to remove the liquid
condensate leaving the closed feedwater heater.

Cycle analysis (considering the 2nd setup which uses steam trap)
For each 1 kg of steam leaving the boiler, y kg expands partially in the turbine and is
extracted at state 5. The remaining (1 – y) kg expands completely to the condenser
pressure. The mass flow rates are different in different components. If the mass flow
rate through the boiler is m, for example, it is ym through the steam trap.

a. Mass and energy analysis in the closed FWH

The mass and energy entering the CFWH are at state 5 and state 2, while the mass and energy
leaving is at state 3 and state 7.

P a g e 12 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

By mass balance in the closed feedwater heater:

∑ min = ∑ mout

m5 + m2 = m3 + m7
Since there is no mixing in the CFWH:
m5 = m7 = my
m2 = m3 = m
By energy balance in the closed feedwater
heater:

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m5 h5 + m2 h2 = m7 h7 + m3 h3
myh5 + mh2 = myh7 + mh3
yh5 + h2 = yh7 + h3
𝐡𝟑 − 𝐡𝟐
𝐲=
𝐡𝟓 − 𝐡𝟕
y represents the fraction of steam extracted from the turbine

b. Mass and energy analysis in the pump

By energy balance in the inlet and outlet of pump,
taking pump work as energy input.

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m1 h1 + Wpump = m2 h2

The mass flow through the pump

m1 = m2 = m
mh1 + Wpump = mh2

𝐖𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩 = 𝐦(𝐡𝟐 − 𝐡𝟏 )
Alternative formula:
𝑊𝑝𝑢𝑚𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣1 (𝑃2 − 𝑃1 )

P a g e 13 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

c. Mass and energy analysis in the turbine

By energy balance in the inlet and outlet of the turbine,
taking turbine work as energy output.

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m4 h4 = Wturbine + m5 h5 + m6 h6
The mass flow through the turbine
m4 = m, m5 = my, m6 = m(1 − y)
mh4 = Wturbine + myh5 + m(1 − y)h6
Wturbine = mh4 − myh5 − m(1 − y)h6
𝐖𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞 = 𝐦𝐡𝟒 − 𝐦𝐲𝐡𝟓 − 𝐦(𝟏 − 𝐲)𝐡𝟔
This represents the energy or power output in the turbine using one closed FWH and using steam trap

d. Mass and energy analysis in the boiler

By energy balance in the inlet and outlet of the boiler,
taking heat addition as energy input:

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m3 h3 + Q in = m4 h4
The mass flow through the boiler
m3 = m4 = m
mh3 + Q in = mh4
𝐐𝐢𝐧 = 𝐦(𝐡𝟒 − 𝐡𝟑 )
This represents the energy added in the boiler using one closed FWH using steam trap.

P a g e 14 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

e. Mass and energy analysis in the condenser

By energy balance in the inlet and outlet of the
condenser, taking heat rejection as energy out:

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

m6 h6 + m8 h8 = Q out + m1 h1
The mass flow through the condenser
m6 = m(1 − y)
m8 = my
m1 = m
m(1 − y)h6 + myh8 = Q out + mh1
𝐐𝐨𝐮𝐭 = 𝐦(𝟏 − 𝐲)𝐡𝟔 + 𝐦𝐲𝐡𝟖 − 𝐦𝐡𝟏
This represents the energy rejected in the condenser using one closed FWH steam trap.

f. Mass and energy analysis in the entire power

cycle
The four main energies associated in the cycle are the
turbine work, total pump work, heat added, and heat
rejected.

∑ Ein = ∑ Eout

Q in + Wpump = Q out + Wturbine

𝐐𝐢𝐧 − 𝐐𝐨𝐮𝐭 = 𝐖𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞 − 𝐖𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩

This represents the net work of the cycle

P a g e 15 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

3. One Open FWH and One Closed FWH

THE CLOSED FWH USES PUMP III THE CLOSED FWH USES TRAP TO
TO REMOVE LIQUID CONDENSATE REMOVE LIQUID CONDENSATE

4. Two Open FWH

T HE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM AND EQUIVALENT T-S DIAGRAM

P a g e 16 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

5. Multiple Feedwater Heaters

The thermal efficiency of the
regenerative cycle can be increased
by incorporating several feedwater
heaters at suitably chosen pressures.
The number of feedwater heaters
used is based on economic
considerations, since incremental
increases in thermal efficiency
achieved with each additional heater
must justify the added capital costs
(heater, piping, pumps, etc.). Power
plants with multiple feedwater
heaters ordinarily have at least one open feedwater heater operating at a pressure
greater than atmospheric pressure so that oxygen and other dissolved gases can be
vented from the cycle. This procedure, known as deaeration, is needed to maintain the
purity of the working fluid in order to minimize corrosion.

The expressions for the performance parameters remains the same for all kinds of
arrangements of regenerative Rankine power cycle:

1. Thermal efficiency
Wnet Qout
ηth = = 1−
Qin Qin
2. Net work output
Wnet = Wturbine − Wpump
3. Mass flow rate
Wnet
m=
wnet
4. Heat rate
BTU
BTU 3412 ( )
Heat rate ( = kWh
kWh) ηth

P a g e 17 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

5. Back work ratio

Wpump
bwr =
Wturbine

Actual regenerative Rankine Cycle

As previously learned, actual power plants encounter irreversibilities. This is also true
with regenerative Rankine cycle.
The expressions for the isentropic efficiency is useful in determining the actual
enthalpies at the turbine exits:
actual turbine output work wa
ηT = =
isentropic turbine output work ws
The expressions for the isentropic efficiency is useful in determining the actual
enthalpies at the pump exit:
isentropic work input of pump ws
ηP = =
actual work input of pump wa

ACTUAL REGENERATIVE RANKINE WITH ONE CLOSED FWH

(SCHEMATIC AND EQUIVALENT T-S DIAGRAM)

P a g e 18 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

Conclusion
Regeneration not only improves cycle efficiency, but also provides a convenient means
of deaerating the feedwater (removing the air that leaks in at the condenser) to prevent
corrosion in the boiler. It also helps control the large volume flow rate of the steam at
the final stages of the turbine (due to the large specific volumes at low pressures).
Therefore, regeneration has been used in all modern steam power plants since its
introduction in the early 1920s. A feedwater heater is basically a heat exchanger where
heat is transferred from the steam to the feedwater either by mixing the two fluid
streams (open feedwater heaters) or without mixing them (closed feedwater heaters).

P a g e 19 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

Guided Problem Solving

1. Consider a steam power plant operating on the ideal regenerative Rankine cycle with
one open feedwater heater. Steam enters the turbine at 15 MPa and 600 C and is
condensed in the condenser at a pressure of 10 kPa. Some steam leaves the turbine at
a pressure of 1.2 MPa and enters the open feedwater heater. Determine the ff:
a) The fraction of steam extracted from the turbine
b) The pump work (in kJ/kg)
c) The turbine work output (in kJ/kg)
d) The back work ratio (in %)
e) The net work output of the power plant (in kJ/kg)
f) The heat input in the boiler (in kJ/kg)
g) The heat output in the condenser (in kJ/kg)
h) The thermal efficiency (in percent)
i) The heat rate (in BTU/kWh)
2. Reconsider problem #1 but the isentropic efficiency of the turbine is 80 percent, and
that of the pump is 90 percent. Determine the following:
a) The fraction of steam extracted from the turbine
b) The pump work (in kJ/kg)
c) The turbine work output (in kJ/kg)
d) The back work ratio (in %)
e) The net work output of the power plant (in kJ/kg)
f) The heat input in the boiler (in kJ/kg)
g) The heat output in the condenser (in kJ/kg)
h) The thermal efficiency (in percent)
i) The heat rate (in BTU/kWh)
3. Consider a steam power plant that operates on the ideal regenerative Rankine cycle
with a closed feedwater heater. The plant maintains the turbine inlet at 3000 kPa and
350 C; and operates the condenser at 20 kPa. Steam is extracted at 1000 kPa to serve
the closed feedwater heater, which discharges into the condenser after being throttled
to condenser pressure. Determine the following:
a) The fraction of steam extracted from the turbine
b) The pump work (in kJ/kg)
c) The turbine work output (in kJ/kg)
d) The back work ratio (in %)
e) The net work output of the power plant (in kJ/kg)
f) The heat input in the boiler (in kJ/kg)

P a g e 20 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

g) The heat output in the condenser (in kJ/kg)

h) The thermal efficiency (in percent)
i) The heat rate (in BTU/kWh)
3. Consider an ideal steam regenerative Rankine cycle with two feedwater heaters, one
closed and one open. Steam enters the turbine at 10 MPa and 600C and exhausts to
the condenser at 10 kPa. Steam is extracted from the turbine at 1.2 MPa for the closed
feedwater heater and at 0.6 MPa for the open one. The feedwater is heated to the
condensation temperature of the extracted steam in the closed feedwater heater. The
extracted steam leaves the closed feedwater heater as a saturated liquid, which is
subsequently throttled to the open feedwater heater. For a net power output of 400 MW,
determine the following:
a) The fraction of steam extracted from the turbine, y & z
b) The pump work (in kJ/kg)
c) The turbine work output (in kJ/kg)
d) The back work ratio (in %)
e) The net work output of the power plant (in kJ/kg)
f) The mass flow rate through the boiler (in kg/s)
g) The heat input in the boiler (in kJ/kg)
h) The heat output in the condenser (in kJ/kg)
i) The thermal efficiency (in percent)
j) The heat rate (in BTU/kWh)

(You may see the solution to the guided problem solving in the recorded lecture video)

P a g e 21 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

Practice Problem Solving

1. A steam power plant operates on an ideal regenerative Rankine cycle. Steam
enters the turbine at 6 MPa and 450C and is condensed in the condenser at 20
kPa. Steam is extracted from the turbine at 0.4 MPa to heat the feedwater in an
open feedwater heater. Water leaves the feedwater heater as a saturated liquid.
Show the cycle on a T-s diagram, and determine (a) the net work output per
kilogram of steam flowing through the boiler and (b) the thermal efficiency of the
cycle.
kJ
Ans. wnet = 1017 kg , ηth = 37.8%
2. A steam power plant operates on an ideal regenerative Rankine cycle with two
open feedwater heaters. Steam enters the turbine at 8 MPa and 550C and
exhausts to the condenser at 10 kPa. Steam is extracted from the turbine at 0.6
and 0.2 MPa. Water leaves both feedwater heaters as a saturated liquid. The
mass flow rate of steam through the boiler is 16 kg/s. Show the cycle on a T-s
diagram, and determine (a) the net power output of the power plant and (b) the
thermal efficiency of the cycle.
Ans. Wnet = 19.8 MW, ηth = 43.5%
3. A regenerative Rankine cycle, producing 250 MW, has two feedwater heaters, a
closed one for the first turbine extraction and an open one for the second turbine
extraction. Steam enters the turbine at 7.5 MPa and 500C and expands to 1500
kPa, where the first extraction stage occurs. The remaining steam expands to
500 kPa, where the second extraction stage occurs. The remainder expands
through the turbine and exhausts at 7.5 kPa. The closed feedwater heater drains
through a trap to the open heater. Determine (a) the cycle thermal efficiency; (b)
the steam flow rate entering the turbine; (c) the steam flow rate to each of the
heaters.
kg kg
Ans. ηth = 43.5%, ms = 21.08 , m = 35.75
s s
4. Consider a regenerative vapor power cycle with one open feedwater heater.
Steam enters the turbine at 8.0 MPa, 480°C and expands to 0.7 MPa, where
some of the steam is extracted and diverted to the open feedwater heater
operating at 0.7 MPa. The remaining steam expands through the second-stage
turbine to the condenser pressure of 0.008 MPa. Saturated liquid exits the open
feedwater heater at 0.7 MPa. The isentropic efficiency of each turbine stage is
85% and each pump operates isentropically. If the net power output of the cycle
is 100 MW, determine (a) the thermal efficiency and (b) the mass flow rate of
steam entering the first turbine stage, in kg/h.
kg
Ans. ηth = 36.9%, ms = 3.69 x 105 h

P a g e 22 | 23
 ME232 Engineering Thermodynamics 2
Topic 6: Regenerative Power Cycle and Plant

References:
Thermodynamics, An Engineering Approach 9th Edition by Cengel, Boles, and Kanoglu
Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics 9th Edition by Moran, Shapiro,
Boettner, and Bailey

P a g e 23 | 23