Recommended Tutorial

A recommended "surfing" procedure is prescribed so that the site will provide the most benefit to the user as an educational tool. The recommended procedure (illustrated in Figure 2) is as follows:

1.    Homepage

2.    Simple Rankine cycle

3.    Introduction

4.    Cavitation

5.    Example of simple Rankine cycle

6.    Simple Rankine cycle with superheat

7.    Example of simple Rankine cycle with superheat

8.    Simple Rankine cycle with reheat

9.    Example of simple Rankine cycle with reheat

10.  Simple Rankine cycle with regeneration

11.  Feedwater heater

12.  Example of simple Rankine cycle with regeneration

It is recommended that the user start with the simple Rankine cycle with no modifications. An introduction of the Rankine cycle provides the user with the history of the Rankine cycle and its importance. A solid understanding of the simple Rankine cycle with no modifications is necessary since it forms the fundamental basis upon which modifications are applied to. Many modifications can be made to the Rankine cycle to increase the efficiency of the cycle and to eliminate the effects of cavitation. By understanding cavitation, one will be able to understand why the corresponding modifications are made.

After fully understanding the simple Rankine cycle with no modifications, the user will be ready to learn about the three main methods of improving the Rankine cycle. Each modification is explained and described in detail. In particular, the user should pay special attention to the explanation of why and how the modification improves the Rankine cycle. The user should attempt to solve the example after the explanation of each modification. To further describe and explain the process of regeneration, a separate web page is used to explain the details of the feedwater heater component.