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Rankine Cycle Efficiency

Ideal Rankine cycle thermal efficiency from the four cycle enthalpies - the steam-plant / WHR / ORC benchmark.

SteamRankine
Rankine efficiency
31.03%
Net cycle work
990.0kJ/kg
Boiler heat input
3,190.0kJ/kg

Formula, assumptions, and limits

Shipboard steam-plant Rankine cycles typically 28–34 %. WHR Rankine systems 14–22 % (lower pressure). ORC (R245fa, R1233zd) cycles 8–14 % on exhaust-gas heat.

Symbol legend

SymbolMeaningUnitSource
Turbine inlet (sup-heated steam)kJ/kgIAPWS
Turbine exit (wet steam)kJ/kgIAPWS
Condensate at pump suctionkJ/kgIAPWS
Compressed feedwaterkJ/kgIAPWS