A certain coal-fired power plant has a rated power capacity of P = 960 MW. The output of this plant is W = 0.39QH, where QH is the energy input as heat from the hot reservoir. a. Write an equation for the efficiency of a heat engine in terms of QH and the heat QC exhausted to a low-temperature reservoir.  b. Which would increase the efficiency more, doubling QH or reducing QC by half?  c. Calculate the maximum thermal efficiency of the power plant.  d.  Calculate the absolute value of the exhausted heat (QC) each second in MJ for the power plant.

College Physics
10th Edition
ISBN:9781285737027
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter12: The Laws Of Thermodynamics
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 42P: A power plant has been proposed that would make use of the temperature gradient in the ocean. The...
icon
Related questions
Question

A certain coal-fired power plant has a rated power capacity of P = 960 MW. The output of this plant is W = 0.39QH, where QH is the energy input as heat from the hot reservoir.

a. Write an equation for the efficiency of a heat engine in terms of QH and the heat QC exhausted to a low-temperature reservoir. 

b. Which would increase the efficiency more, doubling QH or reducing QC by half? 

c. Calculate the maximum thermal efficiency of the power plant. 

d.  Calculate the absolute value of the exhausted heat (QC) each second in MJ for the power plant. 

 

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Second law of thermodynamics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781285737027
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168000
Author:
Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
Publisher:
OpenStax College
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:
9781133104261
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology …
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology …
Physics
ISBN:
9781305116399
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics Volume 2
University Physics Volume 2
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168161
Author:
OpenStax
Publisher:
OpenStax