Carnot Efficiency vs Rankine Efficiency

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SUMMARY

The Ideal Carnot Cycle is more efficient than the Rankine Cycle due to its theoretical foundation, which assumes 100% isentropic efficiency. However, the Rankine Cycle is preferred in practical applications because it effectively manages the challenges of wet steam and the complexities of pump operation with a mixture of steam and water. The limitations of the Carnot Cycle, particularly its reliance on ideal conditions, make the Rankine Cycle a more viable option for real-world energy systems.

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  • Knowledge of steam properties, including wet steam and its effects on turbine performance.
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mm391
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Hi,

Given value of top and bottom temperatures can anyone explain why the Ideal Carnot Cycle is more efficient than the Rankine cycle but why the Rankine is the preferred model? I know that in the Carnot the pump would have to be able to deal with a mixture of steam and water and the turbine would have to be able to deal with wet steam (which is obviously not good).

Thanks
 
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The Rankine cycle is practicable for the same reasons you stated.

Carnot cycle also assumes a 100% isentropic turbine, which is not achievable in reality.
 

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