Understanding Condensation in a Rankine Cycle

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the formation of a partial vacuum in condensers within a Rankine cycle. It is established that as steam from the turbine exhaust enters the condenser, it undergoes condensation, leading to a decrease in specific volume. This process occurs at constant pressure (isobaric) and temperature (isothermal), as depicted in the T-S diagram. The formation of a vacuum is attributed to the significant difference in specific volumes between steam and condensed water, which allows for a reduction in pressure without violating the principles of the Rankine cycle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Rankine cycle
  • Knowledge of thermodynamic properties, specifically specific volume
  • Familiarity with T-S diagrams
  • Basic principles of heat transfer and phase changes
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the thermodynamic properties of steam and water in the Rankine cycle
  • Study the principles of isobaric and isothermal processes in thermodynamics
  • Explore detailed explanations of T-S diagrams and their applications
  • Investigate the design and operation of condensers in thermal power plants
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineering students, thermodynamics enthusiasts, and professionals involved in power plant design and operation will benefit from this discussion.

ashutoshd
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I am a 2nd year mech engg student. I have a basic doubt in condensers. The steam from turbine exhaust enters the condenser & gets condensed during which its specific volume decreases resulting in formation of partial vacuum. Now according to rankine cycle the process in a condenser is a isobaric & isothermal one(shown by a horizontal straight line coinciding with lower isobar in T-S diag) so if pressure remains constant how is vacuum formed during condensation? I mean shouldn't the pressure decrease too?
This could be a silly question but i have scouted the web but couldn't find any page dealing with this in detail apart from cursory explanation. Any urls explaining this in detail are welcome.
 
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I read it in some books and many places on the net that a partial vacuum is created by virtue of great difference in specific volumes of steam & the condensed water. Is it wrong?
 

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