Assertion (A): The purpose of employing reheat in a steam power plant ...
Introduction:
The given assertion and reason are related to the use of reheat and regeneration in a steam power plant and their impact on thermal efficiency. The purpose of employing reheat in a steam power plant is to improve its thermal efficiency by utilizing the remaining heat in the steam after it has passed through the high-pressure turbine. Similarly, the use of regeneration in a steam power plant also improves the efficiency by preheating the feedwater using the waste heat from the steam leaving the high-pressure turbine.
Explanation:
A) The purpose of employing reheat in a steam power plant is mainly to improve its thermal efficiency.
Reheating is a process in which the steam leaving the high-pressure turbine is passed through a reheater. The purpose of employing reheat in a steam power plant is to improve its thermal efficiency. This is achieved by utilizing the remaining heat in the steam after it has passed through the high-pressure turbine. By reheating the steam and then passing it through the intermediate-pressure and low-pressure turbines, the overall thermal efficiency of the plant is increased. This is because reheating reduces the moisture content in the steam and increases its temperature, resulting in higher work output from the turbines.
R) The use of regeneration in a steam power plant improves the efficiency.
Regeneration is a process in which the waste heat from the steam leaving the high-pressure turbine is used to preheat the feedwater before it enters the boiler. The purpose of using regeneration in a steam power plant is to improve its efficiency. By preheating the feedwater, the amount of heat required to raise its temperature to the boiling point is reduced, resulting in fuel savings. This also reduces the temperature difference between the steam leaving the boiler and the feedwater entering the boiler, leading to a smaller temperature drop in the steam generator. As a result, the overall thermal efficiency of the plant is increased.
Explanation of the Correct Answer:
The correct answer is option D, which states that A is false but R is true. The purpose of employing reheat in a steam power plant is mainly to improve its thermal efficiency, but the use of regeneration also contributes to improving the efficiency. While reheat improves the efficiency by utilizing the remaining heat in the steam, regeneration improves the efficiency by preheating the feedwater. Both reheat and regeneration are independent methods used in steam power plants to enhance the overall thermal efficiency.
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