The Rankine cycle is a cycle that converts heat into work. The heat is supplied externally to a closed loop, which usually uses water. This cycle generates about 90% of all electric power used throughout the world, including virtually all solar thermal, biomass, coal and nuclear power plants. It is named after William John Macquorn Rankine, a Scottish polymath and Glasgow University professor. The Rankine cycle is the fundamental thermodynamic underpinning of the steam engine.
Read more about Rankine Cycle: Description, The Four Processes in The Rankine Cycle, Variables, Equations, Real Rankine Cycle (non-ideal), Variations of The Basic Rankine Cycle, Organic Rankine Cycle
Famous quotes containing the word cycle:
“The lifelong process of caregiving, is the ultimate link between caregivers of all ages. You and I are not just in a phase we will outgrow. This is lifebirth, death, and everything in between.... The care continuum is the cycle of life turning full circle in each of our lives. And what we learn when we spoon-feed our babies will echo in our ears as we feed our parents. The point is not to be done. The point is to be ready to do again.”
—Paula C. Lowe (20th century)