The majority of the power or energy producing devices operate in cycles. Power cycles basically convert a heat input into a mechanical output. In case of a power plant, its thermal efficiency defines its performance. And for a better efficiency, the power plants are required to utilise efficient thermal or power cycles. Let’s find out more about power cycles :

1. To generate electricity, two thermodynamic cycles namely Rankine and Brayton’s cycles are widely used. These cycles can also be referred as power cycles as they too perform the task of converting heat input into mechanical output.
2. The Brayton’s cycle is a conventional cycle (a gas turbine open cycle) in which the air is first compressed and then burned in a combustor. The hot gas thus produced is then expanded in a turbine attached to an electric generator. On the other hand, in a closed cycle the working fluid is first compressed. This is followed by a heating process and then the fluid is further expanded in a turbine. Afterwards, the hot gases are then cooled down before they are compressed and the recycled. This power cycle can be further improved by introducing a reheat via a second combustion chamber, intercooler, and then introducing a recuperator to heat up the liquid which is entering the combustor, thus, reducing fuel consumption.
3. The Rankine cycle is generally used in steam power plants. This cycle produces high temperature and high pressure steam by utilising a steam generator. The steam generating from a boiler is first expanded by using high and low pressure turbines which then convert the energy into mechanical shaft work which drives the electric generator and produce electricity. During the final turbine step, the steam is further send to a condenser from where it is again driven back into the boiler, thus repeating the cycle. Efficiency in this cycle is achieved by introducing reheats and regeneration steps.
4. A combined cycle comprises of a gas turbine (Brayton Cycle) for generating electricity. The waste heat is further used in a recovery boiler in order to produce steam (Rankine Cycle) for generating electricity using a steam turbine. This improves the overall efficiency of electricity generation.

Hopefully, these points will help you gain a fair idea about the power cycles. If you are looking for good power quality analyzer, get in touch with us at https://www.mbcontrol.com/contact/