This paper presents an analysis of the multi-stage Rankine cycle aiming at optimizing the power output from low-temperature heat sources such as geothermal or waste heat. A design methodology based on finite-time thermodynamics and the maximum power concept is used in which the shape and the power output of the maximum power cycle are identified and utilized to compare and evaluate different Rankine cycle configurations. The maximum power cycle provides the upper-limit power obtained from any thermodynamic cycle for specified boundary conditions and heat exchanger characteristics. It also provides a useful tool for studying power cycles and forms the basis for making design improvements.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Topics:
Rankine cycle, Thermodynamic power cycles, Boundary-value problems, Design, Design methodology, Geothermal engineering, Heat, Heat exchangers, Low temperature, Shapes, Thermodynamic cycles, Thermodynamics, Waste heat
1.
Bejan, A., 1982, Entropy Generation Through Heat And Fluid Flow, Wiley, New York, NY, pp. 45–46.
2.
Bejan
A.
,
1988
, “
Theory of Heat Transfer-Irreversible Power Plants
,”
International Journal of Heat Transfer
, Vol.
31
, No.
6
, pp.
1211
–
1219
.
3.
Bejan
A.
,
1995
, “
Theory of Heat Transfer-Irreversible Power Plant-II. The Optimum Allocation of Heat Exchange Equipment
,”
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
, Vol.
38
, No.
3
, pp.
433
–
444
.
4.
Curzon
F. L.
, and
Ahlborn
B.
,
1975
, “
Efficiency of a Carnot Engine at Optimum Power Output
,”
American Journal of Physics
, Vol.
43
, pp.
22
–
24
.
5.
EL-Wakil, M. M., 1962, Nuclear Power Engineering, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, NY.
6.
Gordon
J. M.
,
1988
, “
On Optimized Solar-Driven Heat Engines
,”
Solar Energy
, Vol.
40
, No.
5
, pp.
457
–
461
.
7.
Ibrahim
O. M.
,
Klein
S. A.
, and
Mitchell
J. W.
,
1991
, “
Optimum Heat Power Cycles for Specified Boundary Conditions
,”
ASME, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power
, Vol.
113
, pp.
514
–
521
.
8.
Ibrahim, O. M., and Klein, S., “Optimum Power of Carnot and Lorenz Cycles,” Winter Meeting, San Francisco, ASME AES-Vol. 6, pp. 91–96, 1989.
9.
Ibrahim
O. M.
,
Klein
S. A.
, and
Mitchell
J. W.
,
1992
, “
Effects of Irreversibility and Economics on the Performance of a Heat Engine
,”
ASME Journal of Solar Energy Engineering
, Vol.
114
, pp.
267
–
271
.
10.
Klein, S. A., and Alvarado, F. L., 1994, “EES: Engineering Equation Solver, F-Chart Software,” Middelton, WI.
11.
Leff, H. S., 1987a, “Thermal Efficiency at Maximum Work Output: New Results for Old Heat Engines,” American Journal of Physics, Vol. 55, No. 7.
12.
Leff
H. S.
,
1987
b, “
Available Work From a Finite Source and Sink: How Effective is a Maxwell’s Demon?
,”
American Journal of Physics
, Vol.
55
, No.
8
, pp.
701
–
705
.
13.
Novikov
I. I.
,
1958
, “
The Efficiency of Atomic Power Stations
,”
Journal of Nuclear Energy II
, Vol.
7
, pp.
125
–
128
; (transl. from Atomnaya Energiya, Vol. 3, No. 11, 1957, p. 409)
14.
Ondrechen, M. J., Rubin, M. H., and Band, Y. B., 1983, “The Generalized Carnot Cycle: A Working Fluid Operating in Finite Time Between Finite Heat Sources and Sinks,” Journal of Chem. Phys., Vol. 78, No. 7.
15.
Wu
C.
,
1988
, “
Power Optimization of A Finite-Time Carnot Heat Engine
,”
Energy
, Vol.
13
, No.
9
, pp.
681
–
687
.
This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright © 1995
 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.