Question

Heat Engine cycle represents the devices Boiler (B), Condenser (C), Pump (P) and Turbine (T) arranged in the sequence of:

• A. B - C - T - P
• B. B - P - T - C
• C. B - T - C - P
• D. T - B - C - P

Hint:

Visualize the flow of the working fluid in a steam power plant to remember the sequence of the Rankine cycle components: Heat addition (Boiler), Work output (Turbine), Heat rejection (Condenser), Work input (Pump).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understand the basic Rankine cycle for a steam power plant.
A typical steam power plant operates on the Rankine cycle, which involves the following processes in a sequence:
1. Boiler (B): Water is heated at high pressure and converted into high-pressure steam. Heat is added to the system.
2. Turbine (T): The high-pressure, high-temperature steam expands through a turbine, producing work. The pressure and temperature of the steam decrease.
3. Condenser (C): The low-pressure, low-temperature steam is condensed back into water by rejecting heat to a cooling medium.
4. Pump (P): The low-pressure water is pumped to a high pressure, ready to be fed back into the boiler. Work is input to the system.
Step 2: Trace the flow through the components in the Rankine cycle.
Starting with water entering the boiler, the sequence of components through which the working fluid (water/steam) passes in a heat engine cycle (specifically the Rankine cycle for a steam power plant) is:
Boiler \( \rightarrow \) Turbine \( \rightarrow \) Condenser \( \rightarrow \) Pump \( \rightarrow \) Boiler (and the cycle repeats). Step 3: Match the sequence with the given options.
The sequence of the devices is Boiler (B), Turbine (T), Condenser (C), and Pump (P). This matches option 3: B - T - C - P. Step 4: Evaluate the other options.
Option 1 (B - C - T - P): This sequence is incorrect as steam from the boiler goes to the turbine first, not the condenser.
Option 2 (B - P - T - C): This sequence is incorrect as water goes to the pump after being condensed, not before the turbine.
Option 4 (T - B - C - P): This sequence is incorrect as the cycle starts with heat addition in the boiler.
Step 5: Select the correct answer.
The correct sequence of devices in a heat engine cycle (Rankine cycle) is Boiler (B), Turbine (T), Condenser (C), and Pump (P), which is represented by option 3.