Thermodynamic Simulation of Steam Power Cycles using GUIMatLab Interfaces

Abstract

Steam power cycles are constituted by a series of thermodynamic processes that aim convert the thermal energy of a fluid in mechanical work, which can then be transformed into electrical energy. There are many types of steam power cycles in the world, using various work fluids that may or may not undergo some change in their thermodynamic state. The Rankine Cycle is a steam power cycle that use usually water as work fluid to move turbines and produce work. Nowadays, this steam power cycle is the most used in thermoelectric plants to produce electricity. This work aims the creation of a program in MatLab software with an interface (Graphical Unit Interface, GUI) to simulate many configurations of Rankine cycles, providing to the user the values of the main parameters of these processes, that is: required heat in the boiler; work generated in the turbine; required work in the pumps and the thermal efficiency of the cycle. This program provides good results, showing that it can be used to improve the functions of the equipments in these thermodynamic cycles and to support the teaching disciplines of Applied Thermodynamic.