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Generally the working fluids in a power generating system is either water (steam) or air. This I imagine is because they are widely available fluids. The specific heats of these ranging from some 1 - 2 kJ/kg-K.
For the sake of argument, let's assume that hydrogen or xenon are equally available and comparably priced to water and air. Let us also say that the explosive nature of hydrogen not a matter of concern.
Specific Heat Hydrogen = 14 kJ/kg-K
Specific Heat Xenon = 0.16 kJ/kg-K
It would seem to me that a hydrogen system has the potential to generate the power of 7 steam plants at the same temperature due to the larger heat capacity.
The xenon seems like it would have a higher efficiency due to being able to reach higher temperatures faster.
Is this line of thinking correct? It would seem to me in binary power cycles the working fluids with the lower specific heat would be a better choice.
For the sake of argument, let's assume that hydrogen or xenon are equally available and comparably priced to water and air. Let us also say that the explosive nature of hydrogen not a matter of concern.
Specific Heat Hydrogen = 14 kJ/kg-K
Specific Heat Xenon = 0.16 kJ/kg-K
It would seem to me that a hydrogen system has the potential to generate the power of 7 steam plants at the same temperature due to the larger heat capacity.
The xenon seems like it would have a higher efficiency due to being able to reach higher temperatures faster.
Is this line of thinking correct? It would seem to me in binary power cycles the working fluids with the lower specific heat would be a better choice.