Rankine Cycle Calculator
Calculate thermal efficiency, heat rate, net work output, and steam consumption for ideal and real Rankine cycles.
Cycle Parameters
ηth = (Wturbine − Wpump) / Qboiler
State Points
| State | T (°C) | P (bar) | h (kJ/kg) | s (kJ/kg·K) |
|---|
Performance Results
Thermal Efficiency
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Heat Rate
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Net Work
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Steam Rate
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Q Boiler
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Q Condenser
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T-s Diagram
How this was calculated
This calculator uses a simplified steam property model with interpolated saturation data. State 1: saturated liquid at condenser pressure. State 2: compressed liquid after pump. State 3: superheated steam at boiler exit. State 4: turbine exit (wet or superheated).
Real component efficiencies are applied: h2_actual = h1 + (h2s - h1)/eta_pump, h4_actual = h3 - eta_turb*(h3 - h4s).
Limitations: Simplified steam tables with interpolation. For detailed design, use IAPWS-IF97 steam properties or NIST data.
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Book a free strategy call →Understanding the Rankine Cycle
The Rankine cycle is the fundamental thermodynamic cycle used in steam power plants worldwide, from coal and nuclear to concentrated solar and geothermal facilities. It consists of four processes: isentropic compression (pump), constant-pressure heat addition (boiler), isentropic expansion (turbine), and constant-pressure heat rejection (condenser).
Superheating the steam above the saturation temperature increases efficiency and reduces moisture content at the turbine exit, protecting turbine blades. Modern supercritical and ultra-supercritical plants operate at pressures above 220 bar and temperatures above 600°C, achieving thermal efficiencies above 45%.
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