1. Steam enters the turbine of a Rankine cycle power plant at 200. psia and 500.°F. How much will the isentropic Rankine cycle thermal efficiency increase if the condenser pressure is lowered from 14.7 psia to 1.00 psia? Neglect the pump work.
2. A small portable nuclear-powered Rankine cycle steam power plant has a turbine inlet state of 200. psia, 600.°F, and a condenser temperature of 80.0°F. The steam mass flow rate is 0.500 lbm/s. Assuming that the condenser exit state is a saturated liquid, that the pump and turbine isentropic efficiencies are 55.0% and 75.0%, respectively, and that there are no pressure losses across the boiler or condenser, determine
a. The actual power required to drive the pump.
b. The actual power output of the plant.
c. The actual thermal efficiency of the plant.