Abstract
Ranges of 5 values for 4 different process parameters in a rankine cycle (heater outlet temperature, turbine outlet pressure, pump outlet pressure, and turbine efficiency) were simulatively experimented with in DWSIM software (an open-source process simulation environment used to model and simulate chemical engineering processes under steady-state and dynamic conditions). These values were changed and three dependent variables were measured for each change: net power output, vapor molar fraction and thermal efficiency. Additionally, sensitivity coefficients to measure deviations for each variable were compared according to a set baseline. It was found that the changes in turbine efficiency directly correlated to most of the dependent variables in a linear relationship, while pump outlet pressure and turbine outlet pressure displayed quadratic relationships with the dependent variables. Heater outlet temperature displayed low sensitivity with thermal efficiency, and all such trends are noted in the article. The results provide insight into key operating parameters in Rankine cycles and how theoretical models display the changes in process efficiency. The results were simulated theoretically using a software, which does not necessarily provide output to realistic situations of Rankine cycles. The explicit values of theoretical calculations may not be present in realistic settings, however the general trends and sensitivity coefficients of each parameter and its dependent variable may help provide insight into changes in Rankine operating parameters.