The Margins of Possible Improvement in the Central–Station Steam Plant

The maximum attainable efficiency of the ideal heat engine is discussed, and the circumstances which limit it, in order to point out the various margins available for improvement along different lines. The arrangement of the circulating systems is considered and, after noting the ideal arrangement, practical layouts are taken up. The advantages of the mercury turbine and the steam-extraction cycle are emphasized, and the great increase in capacity rating which has been made possible by purely thermodynamic improvements is noted.