Use your EES program to solve for the thermal efficiency in Problem 9.31 when the condenser pressure is varied from 5 kPa to 50 kPa. Plot the thermal efficiency as a function of pressure in this range. Use at least five values for the compressor pressure, so as to generate a smooth curve. Discuss your results.

Problem 9.31

The exit pressure of the high-pressure turbine is 2.2MPa. The steam exiting the high-pressure turbine is reheated back to 700 K before it enters the low pressure turbine. Calculate the thermal efficiency for this ideal cycle with reheat and compare it with that of the base cycle without reheat. Discuss your results.