A steam power plant is proposed to operate between the pressures of 8psia and 450psia with a max temperature of 900degF.
a.) What is the max thermal efficiency from the steam power plant?
b.) What is the maximum thermal efficiency possible for a heat engine in this environment.
c.) Increasing the boiler pressure to 600psia while maintaining the maximum temperature and maximum pressure. Calculate the thermal efficiency for this higher pressure power cycle and the percentage change in thermal efficiency.