The disclosed concept relates to a novel modified and simplified Rankine steam-
turbine cycle without rejection of heat in the cycle, which is driven by a thermocompressor (ejector) operating in the wet-vapor region, to the end of achieving of the maximum possible (˜100%)
thermal efficiency of the thus modified
Rankine cycle. Wet-vapor mixture circulating within the thermocompressor is being separated in a cylindrical separation tank, so that the saturated water is pumped to a
water heater where it receives the cycle heat input, while the saturated vapor is expanded in a backpressure
steam turbine producing useful mechanical work and is then recirculated back to the thermocompressor, where it is being re-pressurized by the primary fluid (pumped and heated saturated water). The concept can be applied to steam-
turbine-cycle power-plants fueled by:
coal or
solid / liquid / waste fuel,
nuclear fuel (using boiling water reactors, pressurized water reactors, pressurized heavy-water reactors, gas-cooled reactors,
molten salt reactors or liquid-
metal-cooled fast reactors) or
renewable energy sources (
Solar energy,
biomass, geothermal), The concept can also be used in the form of the bottoming steam-
turbine-cycle part of a combined gas-turbine / steam-turbine cycle power
plant.