Steam and Organic Rankine Cycles

In this chapter, steam turbine cycles for power production processes and applications are introduced with details ranging from basics to advanced topics. Along with the key concepts the Rankine cycle is specifically described with fundamental and conceptual background information. The thermodynamic analyses and performance assessments are conducted through energy and exergy approaches. Both energy and exergy assessment models are presented and a comprehensive comparison is conducted. The historical and technological evolution of steam turbine systems and organic Rankine cycles are presented, while the recent technologies are briefly explained. Furthermore, sample problems and case studies are included to illustrate how to perform the key analysis and performance assessment studies of the considered cycles and investigate what operating parameters and conditions affect their performances and hence efficiencies.