Design a condenser of a steam power plant

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on designing a condenser for a steam power plant with a thermal efficiency of 40% and a net electric power output of 10 MW. The condenser operates with steam entering as saturated vapor at 10 kPa, utilizing cooling water from a river with a maximum temperature rise of 8°C and a flow velocity limited to 6 m/s. Key calculations involve determining the steam flow rate, total surface area of the pipes based on a heat flux of 12,000 W/m², and optimizing pipe diameter and length to minimize condenser volume.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic principles, specifically related to steam properties.
  • Familiarity with heat transfer concepts, including heat flux calculations.
  • Knowledge of fluid dynamics, particularly flow velocity and pressure drop considerations.
  • Experience with engineering design calculations for thermal systems.
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the steam flow rate using the given thermal efficiency and power output.
  • Determine the total surface area required for the condenser based on heat transfer equations.
  • Explore methods for optimizing pipe diameter and length to achieve desired flow characteristics.
  • Investigate design configurations for horizontal tube arrangements in condensers.
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, thermal system designers, and students studying thermodynamics who are involved in the design and optimization of steam power plant components.

AliSadiq
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This question is from my textbook: Thermodynamics an Engineering Approach 7ed SI Units, cengel. It is problem 10-129 and I can't seem to figure it out.

Design the condenser of a steam power plant that has a thermal efficiency of 40 percent and generates 10 MW of net electric power. Steam enters the condenser as saturated vapour at 10kPa, and it is to be condensed outside horizontal tubes through which cooling water from a nearby river flows. The temperature rise of the cooling water is limited 8 degC, and the velocity of the cooling water in the pipes is limited to 6 m/s to keep the pressure drop at an acceptable level. From prior experience, the average heat flux based on the outer surface of the tubes can be taken to be 12,000 W/m^2. Specify the pipe diameter, total pipe length and the arrangement of the pipes to minimize the condenser volume.

I found h4 and h1 from the steam property tables and I know that the surface area will be dependent on the heat flow out of the system divide by the heat flux per m^2 but can't seem to put it all together any help is appreciated.
 
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What are h4 and h1?
Based on your numbers, you can calculate the steam flow (in m^3/s) and the total surface of the pipes.

For a pipe with diameter d and length l, you can calculate the surface of this pipe and the power - and find a constraint for the length (or diameter) based on the flow velocity and maximal temperature difference.

This just leaves the question how exactly you want to design the whole thing.
 

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