While technological progress is very fast, you can often see the situation when installations are used on modern principles that have been opened in the last century.For example, a Rankine cycle, which was invented in the 19th century, is used in the steam turbine and now.
great inventor
Rankine cycle was discovered by Scottish physicist and engineer who lived and worked in the nineteenth century.The invention has been named in honor of this great scholar, who was also one of the founders of technical thermodynamics.
William John Rankin was born in 1820 in Edinburgh, where he studied for three years at the institute.However, this place finish scientist failed because of the difficult financial situation.But this did not prevent gifted physicist carry out a number of useful discoveries.So, in 1849 he received the equations of thermodynamics, which describe the relationship between mechanical energy and heat.Also carried out the construction of the theory of the steam engine and developed the basic principles underlying the operation of this unit.These provisions constitute the process, which was given the name in honor of the scientist - Rankine cycle.
Highlights
This cycle is the theoretical expression of the work of the thermodynamic processes occurring during the steam power plants in repeat mode.There are such basic operations included in this cycle:
- liquid evaporates at high pressure;
- water molecules in the gaseous state are expanding;
- wet steam condenses on the walls of the vessel;
- fluid pressure is increased (returned to the initial value).
may be noted that the thermal efficiency for this cycle is directly proportional to the initial temperature.Also, the efficiency of this process is due to the values of the pressure and the heat index on the state of the initial position and the output.
Steam Turbine
This unit is a heat engine, as a result of which generates electric power.The main components of this installation can be represented in the following list:
- moving part, which consists of a rotor and blades attached to it;
- stationary member having components such as a stator and a nozzle.
operation of the plant can be described that way.The water in the gaseous state at high temperature and pressure is applied to the turbine nozzle.Here at supersonic speed potential energy of steam is converted into kinetic, while driven by steam particles.This, in turn, creates a gas stream which acts on the turbine blades.Rotation of these elements causes the rotor to move, thereby producing electricity.Further vapor condenses, and it settles in a special receiver chilled water from a liquid to a heat exchanger to catch up again.Thus, there is a repetition of operations, that is carried out Rankine cycle.
This principle is used in systems at nuclear power plants, as it is used in stand-alone turbine installations for the production of electricity.This scheme is by far the most efficient and economical.Units operating on the principles of Rankine, distributed worldwide.
