A nuclear power plant generates 3000 MW of heat energy from nuclear reactions in

Question

A nuclear power plant generates 3000 MW of heat energy from nuclear reactions in the reactor's core. This energy is used to boil water and produce high-pressure steam at 310degree C. The steam spins a turbine, which produces 1100 MW of electric power, then the steam is condensed and the water is cooled to 25degree C before starting the cycle again. What is the maximum possible thermal efficiency of the power plant? Express your answer using two significant figures. What is the plant's actual efficiency? Express your answer using two significant figures. Cooling water from a river flows through the condenser (the low-temperature heat exchanger) at the rate of 1.2 times 10^8 L/h (30 million gallons per hour). If the river water enters the condenser at 18degree C. what is its exit temperature? Express your answer using two significant figures.

Explanation / Answer

a) max. possible thermal efficiency = 1- ( 25+273)/( 310+ 273) = 1- ( 298/ 583) = 0.488 apprx= 48.8 %

b) paln's actual efficiency = heat output/ heat input = 1100/ 3000 = 0.366 apprx= 36.6 %

c) The heat released should be used to calculate teh exit temp

Heat released = 3000 - 1100 = 1,9 x 10^9 J/sec

water flowing = 1.2 x 10^ 8 L/hr

Water flowing = 33333. 33 L/ sec= 33333. 3 kg /sec

Q = mCT

1,9 x 10^9 = 33333. 3 ( 4186)( T-18)

13. 62= T-18

exit tem-p = 31.62 C apprx

C = 4186 J/kg

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