Thermodynamics Practice Test: Vapour Power Cycles — Flashcards

Vapour Power Cycles topics include: Rankine cycle, vapour cycle process, feedwater heaters, binary vapour cycles, coupled cycles and steam power plant.

A vapor power cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that uses a working fluid in a vapor state to drive a turbine. The fluid will undergo a phase change, going from a liquid phase, vapor phase, or both. 

Vapor power cycles are the most common basis for electricity generation in large fixed plant operations. They were one of the first developed for steam engines and have been adapted to many applications. 

There are five steam power cycles:
The Carnot cycle
The simple Rankine cycle
The Rankine superheat cycle
The Rankine reheat cycle
The regenerative cycle 

Thermodynamic analyses such as the Carnot cycle and the Rankine cycle are employed to calculate the power output and efficiency of thermal conversion. 
The Rankine cycle, also called the Rankine vapor cycle, is a thermodynamic cycle that converts heat into mechanical energy. It is the fundamental operating cycle of all power plants. 
The Carnot Vapor Cycle is a theoretical construct used to describe the most efficient heat engine cycle possible. It's composed of two isothermal and two adiabatic processes.