In the Carnot cycle, isothermal heating at constant pressure cannot occur in the superheated region because the working fluid does not change phase, leading to an increase in temperature instead of maintaining it. In contrast, the Rankine cycle allows for operation in the superheated region, where adding heat does not change the phase but can still be managed effectively. The limitations of equipment and practical applications necessitate the use of the Rankine cycle over the idealized Carnot cycle. Thus, while both cycles involve heating, their operational principles differ significantly in superheated conditions. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for thermodynamic applications.
