Modified Rankine cycle without heat rejection, driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection driven by a thermocompressor (ejector) operating in the wet-vapor region, consisting of the following interconnected equipment/processes: a) a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor/ejector (10), consisting of: a supersonic nozzle (11), for acceleration of the high-pressure high-temperature liquid of a working fluid, comprising subcooled water or a low-quality water-vapor mixture, a conical part (12) of the ejector mixing chamber for admission of exhausted wet vapor from a backpressure steam turbine (1), a long constant-diameter part (14) of the said ejector mixing chamber for mixing and deceleration/acceleration of the water-vapor mixture in the form of one or more normal shock waves, and a subsonic diffuser (15) for subsonic deceleration of the mixed water-vapor mixture; b) a cylindrical separator/separation tank (2) for as-complete-as-possible separation of the wet water-vapor mixture exiting the said diffuser (15) of the said thermocompressor (10), using a dry-pipe steam separator having of a plurality of holes at the top and two holes at the bottom half, whereas the turbulently moving steam-water mixture is directed through the top half holes of the dry pipe and forced to separate between water and steam, whereby the separated steam flows to the said backpressure steam turbine (1) and the separated water drops down to the bulk liquid through bottom holes; c) the said backpressure steam turbine (1) for adiabatic expansion of the saturated vapor (gas fraction) separated in the said cylindrical separator/separation tank (2), exhausting wet vapor to the said conical part (12) of the said ejector mixing chamber of the said thermocompressor (10), driving a load (8) via a connecting shaft; d) a steam compressor (18) preceding the said backpressure steam turbine (1), mounted on the same connecting shaft with the said load (8) and driven by the said backpressure steam turbine (1), which serves for precompression of a secondary ejector fluid, that is, saturated steam/vapor separated in the said cylindrical separator/separation tank (2), prior to its expansion in the said backpressure steam turbine (1), thus artificially increasing the pressure recovery ratio of the said wet-vapor thermocompressor (10) which is obtainable at an ejector entrainment ratio, which is a ratio of mass flow rates of suction and driving fluid and is defined by the vapor quality at the outlet of the said diffuser (15), so that it matches the chosen expansion pressure ratio of the said backpressure steam turbine (1); e) the said load (8), comprising an electric generator, driven by the said backpressure steam turbine (1) via the said connecting shaft, so that it converts mechanical energy of the said steam turbine (1) into the generator's electrical energy supplied to a power grid; f) a condensate pump (3) for pressurizing and circulation of the liquid working fluid, which is saturated water separated in the said cylindrical separator/separation tank (2); g) a stop valve (4) at the discharge side of the said condensate pump (3) for starting up of the said pump (3) and of the entire working-fluid circulation loop; and h) a liquid/water heat exchanger (5) for isobaric heat addition to the liquid working fluid, being subcooled water or a low-quality water-vapor mixture, either directly heated by a fuel or indirectly heated by heat exchange with any source of heat contained in a primary heat-exchange fluid, thereby supplying the heated liquid working fluid to the said nozzle (11) of the said thermocompressor (10), to the end of re-pressurizing of the secondary ejector fluid, which is exhausted wet vapor from the said backpressure steam turbine (1)).

2. The configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor of claim 1, further comprising the use of an additional heat exchanger/superheater (6) for isobaric heat addition to the saturated vapor (gas fraction) separated in the said cylindrical separator/separation tank (2), to the end superheating of the saturated vapor and thus enabling the said backpressure steam turbine (1) to operate with superheated steam at its inlet, resulting in an increased steam-turbine specific work for the same expansion pressure ratio; whereby the said steam compressor (18) precedes the said additional heat exchanger/superheater (6) of the saturated vaporthe gas fraction being separated in the said cylindrical separator/separation tank (2)), which itself precedes the said backpressure steam turbine (1).

3. The configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor of claim 1, whereby the said cylindrical separator/separation tank (2) used for as-complete-as-possible separation of the wet water-vapor mixture exiting the said diffuser (15) of the said thermocompressor (10), using: (i) a baffle-plate steam separator having the said cylindrical separation tank (2) fitted with two (2) to three (3) baffle plates, which serve to change the direction of the incoming steam flow when the steam strikes the baffle plates, prompting heavier water particles contained in the steam-water mixture to fall down to the bottom of the separation tank, while the separated steam is freed from water particles and passed to the said backpressure steam turbine (1); or (ii) a centrifugal/cyclone steam separator for more turbulent flows, having the said cylindrical separation tank (2) fitted with at least one cyclone, which utilizes centrifugal force to separate water and steam from the steam-water mixture, whereby the steam-water mixture is forced to move around the cyclone and make the rotation.

4. The configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor of claim 2, whereby the said cylindrical separator/separation tank (2) used for as-complete-as-possible separation of the wet water-vapor mixture exiting the said diffuser (15) of the said thermocompressor (10), using: (i) a baffle-plate steam separator having the said cylindrical separation tank (2) fitted with two (2) to three (3) baffle plates, which serve to change the direction of the incoming steam flow when the steam strikes the baffle plates, prompting heavier water particles contained in the steam-water mixture to fall down to the bottom of the separation tank, while the separated steam is freed from water particles and passed to the said backpressure steam turbine (1); or (ii) a centrifugal/cyclone steam separator for more turbulent flows, having the said cylindrical separation tank (2) fitted with at least one cyclone, which utilizes centrifugal force to separate water and steam from the steam-water mixture, whereby the steam-water mixture is forced to move around the cyclone and make the rotation.

5. The configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor of claim 1, which uses either of the following heat sources transferring the cycle heat to the said liquid/water heater (5) by an indirect heat exchange: (a) a solid, liquid or gaseous fossil fuel (coal, fuel oil, solid/liquid waste fuel, natural gas, synthesis gas or any other waste gas); (b) renewable energy sources in the form of either Solar energy, biomass or geothermal energy, (c) the waste heat of a natural-gas-fired combined cycle (50), or (d) any of the following types of commercial nuclear reactors: a light-water-moderated pressurized-water thermal nuclear reactor (30), a heavy-water-moderated pressurized-heavy-water thermal nuclear reactor, a light-water-moderated boiling-water thermal nuclear reactor (40), a graphite-moderated molten salt thermal nuclear reactor, a graphite-moderated gas-cooled thermal nuclear reactor using a suitable cooling gas, such as helium, CO.sub.2 or any suitable mixture of gases, or a liquid-metal-cooled fast-neutron nuclear reactor.

6. The configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor of claim 2, which uses either of the following heat sources transferring the cycle heat both to the said liquid/water heater (5) and the said superheater (6) by an indirect heat exchange: (a) a solid, liquid or gaseous fossil fuel (coal, fuel oil, solid/liquid waste fuel, natural gas, synthesis gas or any other waste gas); (b) renewable energy sources in the form of either Solar energy, biomass or geothermal energy, (c) the waste heat of a natural-gas-fired combined cycle (50), or (d) any of the following types of commercial nuclear reactors: a light-water-moderated pressurized-water thermal nuclear reactor (30), a heavy-water-moderated pressurized-heavy-water thermal nuclear reactor, a light-water-moderated boiling-water thermal nuclear reactor (40), a graphite-moderated molten salt thermal nuclear reactor, a graphite-moderated gas-cooled thermal nuclear reactor using a suitable cooling gas, such as helium, CO.sub.2 or any suitable mixture of gases, or a liquid-metal-cooled fast-neutron nuclear reactor.

7. The configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor of claim 3, which uses either of the following heat sources transferring the cycle heat to the said liquid/water heater (5) by an indirect heat exchange: (a) a solid, liquid or gaseous fossil fuel (coal, fuel oil, solid/liquid waste fuel, natural gas, synthesis gas or any other waste gas); (b) renewable energy sources in the form of either Solar energy, biomass or geothermal energy, (c) the waste heat of a natural-gas-fired combined cycle (50), or (d) any of the following types of commercial nuclear reactors: a light-water-moderated pressurized-water thermal nuclear reactor (30), a heavy-water-moderated pressurized-heavy-water thermal nuclear reactor, a light-water-moderated boiling-water thermal nuclear reactor (40), a graphite-moderated molten salt thermal nuclear reactor, a graphite-moderated gas-cooled thermal nuclear reactor using a suitable cooling gas, such as helium, CO.sub.2 or any suitable mixture of gases, or a liquid-metal-cooled fast-neutron nuclear reactor.

8. The configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor of claim 4, which uses either of the following heat sources transferring the cycle heat both to the said liquid/water heater (5) and the said superheater (6) by an indirect heat exchange: (a) a solid, liquid or gaseous fossil fuel (coal, fuel oil, solid/liquid waste fuel, natural gas, synthesis gas or any other waste gas); (b) renewable energy sources in the form of either Solar energy, biomass or geothermal energy, (c) the waste heat of a natural-gas-fired combined cycle (50), or (d) any of the following types of commercial nuclear reactors: a light-water-moderated pressurized-water thermal nuclear reactor (30), a heavy-water-moderated pressurized-heavy-water thermal nuclear reactor, a light-water-moderated boiling-water thermal nuclear reactor (40), a graphite-moderated molten salt thermal nuclear reactor, a graphite-moderated gas-cooled thermal nuclear reactor using a suitable cooling gas, such as helium, CO.sub.2 or any suitable mixture of gases, or a liquid-metal-cooled fast-neutron nuclear reactor.

9. A method for regulation of the cycle output/load of the proposed modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection of claim 1 in working regimes other than the nominal working regime, using either (a) qualitative regulation of the cycle output/load by alteration of the steam-turbine inlet temperature via the cycle heat input or (b) quantitative regulation of the cycle output/load by alteration of the steam-turbine mass flow rate using bypassing of the said backpressure steam turbine (1) via a bypass valve and a subsequent external cooling of the corresponding portion of the steam-turbine bypass mass flow rate using an external water or air cooler (17), up to the steam-turbine (1) outlet temperature existing in the nominal cycle working regime.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a flow diagram of an indirectly-heated modified Rankine-cycle power-plant driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor using a non-superheated (saturated) backpressure steam turbine.

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a temperature/specific-entropy (T-s) diagram corresponding to the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an alternative indirectly-heated modified Rankine-cycle power-plant driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor using a superheated backpressure steam turbine.

(4) FIG. 4 depicts a temperature/specific-entropy (T-s) diagram corresponding to the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of an externally-fired (by coal or solid/liquid waste fuel) directly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram of an externally-fired (by coal or solid/liquid waste fuel) indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 3.

(7) FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram of an indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1, fueled by nuclear fuel using a boiling water reactor (BWR).

(8) FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of an indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1, fueled by nuclear fuel using a pressurized water reactor (PWR).

(9) FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of an indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 3, fueled by nuclear fuel using a pressurized water reactor (PWR).

(10) FIG. 10 depicts a flow diagram of a directly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1, fueled by nuclear fuel using a pressurized water reactor (PWR).

(11) FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram of an indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 3, fueled by nuclear fuel using a boiling water reactor (BWR).

(12) FIG. 12 depicts a flow diagram of a directly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1, fueled by nuclear fuel using a boiling water reactor (BWR).

(13) FIG. 13 depicts a flow diagram of an indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 3 as the bottoming steam-cycle part of a natural-gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC).

(14) FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, respectively, using a different method of the steam/vapor separation.

(15) FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, respectively, using quantitative regulation of the cycle output by means of a steam-turbine bypass.

(16) FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, respectively, additionally using an optional steam compressor for precompression of the separated steam/vapor prior to its expansion in the steam turbine.

(17) FIGS. 20 and 22 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor that use quantitative regulation of the cycle output by means of a steam-turbine bypass, depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively, additionally using the steam compressor for precompression of the separated steam/vapor prior to its expansion in the steam turbine.

(18) FIGS. 21 and 23 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor that use a different method of the steam/vapor separation, depicted in FIGS. 14 and 15, respectively, additionally using quantitative regulation of the cycle output by means of a steam-turbine bypass and the steam compressor for precompression of the separated steam/vapor prior to its expansion in the steam turbine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION CONFIGURATIONS

(19) In general, the direction of flow of the various working media on all flow diagrams is marked with arrows: solid line denotes the gaseous working fluid flow or the steam-water flow (where applicable), dashed line denotes an optional cooling-fluid flow, double solid line denotes the combustion air flow (where applicable), while triple solid line denotes the flue-gases flow (where applicable). All flow diagrams shown in different figures that correspond substantially to one another are arranged so that corresponding reference numbers and explanations are valid for common components depicted in such circuit diagrams. Therefore, explanations of such common components are not repeated in the description of similar figures.

(20) A flow diagram of a basic and the first preferred configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection driven by a thermocompressor (ejector) operating in the wet-vapor region is depicted in FIG. 1 and it consists of the following interconnected equipment/processes: (1) a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor/ejector 10, consisting of: a nozzle 11 (typically a supersonic one) for acceleration of the high-pressure high-temperature liquid of a working fluid, typically subcooled water or low-quality liquid-gas (water-vapor) mixture, a conical part 12 of the ejector mixing chamber for admission of exhausted wet vapor from a backpressure steam turbine 1, a long constant-diameter part 14 of the said mixing chamber for mixing and deceleration/acceleration of the liquid-gas (water-vapor) mixture, typically in the form of one or more normal shock waves, and a subsonic diffuser 15 for final (subsonic) deceleration of the mixed liquid-gas (water-vapor) mixture; (2) a cylindrical separator/separation tank 2 for as-complete-as-possible separation of the wet liquid-gas (water-vapor) mixture exiting the said diffuser 15 of the said thermocompressor 10, which in this case is constructed in the form of a dry-pipe steam separator having of a lot of holes at the top and two holes at the bottom half, whereas the turbulently moving steam-water mixture is directed through the top half holes of the dry pipe and forced to separate between water and steam, whereby the separated steam flows to the said backpressure steam turbine 1 and the separated water drops down to the bulk liquid through bottom holes; (3) the said backpressure steam turbine 1 for adiabatic expansion of the saturated vapor (gas fraction) separated in the said cylindrical separation tank 2, exhausting wet vapor to the said conical part 12 of the said mixing chamber of the said thermocompressor 10, driving a load 8 via a connecting shaft, whereby the expansion pressure ratio of the said backpressure steam turbine 1 is chosen to be equal to the pressure recovery ratio of the said wet-vapor thermocompressor 10, which is obtainable at an ejector entrainment ratio (ratio of mass flow rates of suction and driving fluid) defined by the vapor quality at the outlet of the said diffuser 15; (4) the said load 8, typically an electric generator, converting mechanical energy of the said steam turbine 1 into the generator's electrical energy supplied to the grid; (5) a condensate pump 3 for pressurizing and circulation of the liquid working fluid (saturated water) separated in the said cylindrical separation tank 2; (6) a stop valve 4 at the discharge side of the said condensate pump 3 for starting up of the said pump 3 and of the entire working-fluid circulation loop; (7) a liquid/water heater (heat exchanger) 5 for isobaric heat addition to the liquid working fluid, typically subcooled water or a low-quality water-vapor mixture, either directly heated by any fuel or indirectly heated by heat exchange with any source of heat contained in a primary heat-exchange fluid, thereby supplying the heated liquid working fluid to the said nozzle 11 of the said thermocompressor 10, to the end of re-pressurizing of the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor from the said backpressure steam turbine 1).

(21) FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an alternative configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1, with a solely difference being the use of an additional heat exchanger/superheater 6 for isobaric heat addition to the saturated vapor (gas fraction) separated in the said cylindrical separation tank 2, to the end superheating of the saturated vapor and thus enabling the said backpressure steam turbine 1 to operate with superheated steam at its inlet, resulting in an increased steam-turbine specific work for the same expansion pressure ratio.

(22) FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of an externally-fired (by coal, solid/liquid waste fuel or biomass) directly-heated version of the configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 3, whereas the said liquid/water heater 5 and the said superheater 6 are incorporated in the form of multi-tube bundles 25 and 26, respectively, within an integral water/steam heater 20, which in addition contains also a furnace refractory 21, a forced-draft fan 23 for combustion-air circulation, and a regenerative combustion-air preheater 24.

(23) Similarly, flow diagram depicted in FIG. 6 shows an almost identical alternative externally-fired indirectly-heated version of the configuration of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 5, whereas the cycle heat is added indirectly to the said liquid/water heater 5 and the said superheater 6, by means of a primary heat-exchange fluid (typically water-steam) circulating in a separate primary-fluid loop, which contains the said integral water/steam heater 20 with all the above mentioned components, incorporating also: an additional steam drum 22 for separation of liquid (typically saturated water) and gas (typically saturated vapor) phases within the said integral water/steam heater 20, a condensate/feedwater pump 27 for the primary-heat-exchange-fluid pressurization and circulation and a stop valve 28 at the discharge side of the said primary-heat-exchange-fluid pump 27 for starting up of the said pump 27 and of the entire primary-fluid circulation loop.

(24) FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram of an indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1, which uses a boiling water reactor (BWR) 40 fueled by nuclear fuel as a heat source transferring the nuclear-reactor heat to the said liquid/water heater 5, whereas the reactor primary-coolant circuit contains also: a primary-coolant circulation pump 43 for the primary-coolant-fluid pressurization and circulation and a stop valve 44 at the discharge side of the said primary-coolant pump 43 for starting up of the said pump 43 and of the entire primary-coolant circuit.

(25) Similarly, FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of an indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1, which uses a pressurized water reactor (PWR) 30 fueled by nuclear fuel as a heat source transferring the nuclear-reactor heat to the said liquid/water heater 5, whereas the reactor primary-coolant circuit contains also: a pressurizer 32 for maintaining of the primary-circuit pressure, a primary-coolant circulation pump 33 for the primary-coolant-fluid pressurization and circulation and a stop valve 34 at the discharge side of the said primary-coolant pump 33 for starting up of the said pump 33 and of the entire primary-coolant circuit.

(26) FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of an alternative indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 8, powered by a pressurized-water-reactor (PWR) 30, with a solely difference being the use of the said additional heat exchanger/superheater 6 for isobaric heat addition to the saturated vapor (gas fraction) separated in the said cylindrical separation tank 2, to the end superheating of the saturated vapor and thus enabling the said backpressure steam turbine 1 to operate with superheated steam at its inlet, resulting in an increased steam-turbine specific work for the same expansion pressure ratio.

(27) FIG. 10 depicts a flow diagram of an alternative directly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 8, powered by a pressurized-water-reactor (PWR) 30, whereas the said liquid/water heater 5 is omitted from the cycle configuration and the reactor coolant (pressurized light water) from the reactor-vessel outlet is used directly as the primary (driving) ejector fluid supplying the said nozzle 11 of the said thermocompressor 10, to the end of re-pressurizing of the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor from the said backpressure turbine 1).

(28) Similarly, FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram of an alternative indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 7, powered by a boiling-water-reactor (BWR) 40, with a solely difference being the use of the said additional heat exchanger/superheater 6 for isobaric heat addition to the saturated vapor (gas fraction) separated in the said cylindrical separation tank 2, to the end superheating of the saturated vapor and thus enabling the said backpressure steam turbine 1 to operate with superheated steam at its inlet, resulting in an increased steam-turbine specific work for the same expansion pressure ratio.

(29) FIG. 12 depicts a flow diagram of an alternative directly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 7, powered by a boiling-water-reactor (BWR) 40, whereas the said liquid/water heater 5 is omitted from the cycle configuration and a part of the liquid reactor coolant (saturated light water) from the reactor-vessel outlet is used directly as the primary (driving) ejector fluid supplying the said nozzle 11 of the said thermocompressor 10, to the end of re-pressurizing of the secondary ejector fluid, which in this case is a mixture of exhausted wet vapor from both the said backpressure turbine 1 and an additional backpressure steam turbine 42, supplied by the gaseous part of the reactor coolant (saturated light-water vapor) to produce additional turbine work and installed on the same shaft with the said steam turbine 1 to drive the said load 8.

(30) FIG. 13 depicts a flow diagram of an indirectly-heated version of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configuration without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 3, which is in this case used as the bottoming steam-cycle part of a natural-gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC) 50 powered by the NGCC waste heat, whereas the NGCC typically consists of the following main components: an air compressor 51 for sucking and compressing the ambient air, a combustion chamber/combustor 52 for cycle heat addition, a gas turbine 53 for expansion of the combustion gas, and an additional load 54, typically another electric generator.

(31) FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, respectively, with a solely difference being the use of a baffle-plate steam separator having the said cylindrical separation tank 2 fitted with three (3) baffle plates 9, 9a and 9b, which serve to change the direction of the incoming steam flow when the steam strikes the baffle plates, prompting heavier water particles contained in the steam-water mixture to fall down to the bottom of the separation tank, while the separated steam is freed from water particles and passed to the said backpressure steam turbine 1.

(32) FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, respectively, with a solely difference being the use of quantitative regulation of the cycle output/load by alteration of the steam-turbine mass flow rate using bypassing of the said backpressure steam turbine 1 via a bypass valve 16 and a subsequent external cooling of the corresponding portion of the steam-turbine bypass mass flow rate using an external water or air cooler 17, up to the steam-turbine 1 outlet temperature existing in the nominal cycle working regime, thus ensuring that eventually-occurring normal shock wave is preferably located in the mixing-chamber throat of the supersonic wet-vapor mixing ejector and that it is a weak one, occurring in the vicinity of the unity Mach number (1.0), and also a stationary one at a continually maintained steady-state ejector working regime, and hence minimizing potential reduction of the recoverable pressure rise in the thermocompressor/ejector.

(33) Finally, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, respectively, additionally using an optional steam compressor 18, mounted on the same connecting shaft with the said load 8 and driven by the said backpressure steam turbine 1, for precompression of the secondary ejector fluid (separated saturated steam/vapor) prior to its expansion in the said backpressure steam turbine 1, thus artificially increasing the pressure recovery ratio of the said thermocompressor 10; whereby the said steam compressor 18 in the configuration depicted in FIG. 3 precedes the said additional heat exchanger/superheater 6 of the saturated vapor (the gas fraction separated in the said cylindrical separation tank 2), which itself precedes the said backpressure steam turbine 1.

(34) FIGS. 20 and 22 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor that use quantitative regulation of the cycle output by means of a steam-turbine bypass, depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively, additionally using the said steam compressor 18 for precompression of the separated steam/vapor prior to its expansion in the said BP steam turbine 1.

(35) FIGS. 21 and 23 depict flow diagrams of indirectly-heated versions of the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant configurations driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor that use a baffle-plate steam separator for steam/vapor separation, depicted in FIGS. 14 and 15, respectively, additionally using quantitative regulation of the cycle output by means of a steam-turbine bypass and the said steam compressor 18 for precompression of the separated steam/vapor prior to its expansion in the said backpressure steam turbine.

(36) Applied Mathematical Model and Calculation of Exemplary Case #1

(37) The main objective of the applied mathematical model is to determine the working fluid conditions at the exit of the diffuser of a wet-vapor-region ejector/thermocompressor in terms of the working fluid conditions at the inlet of the ejector mixing tube. In connection with the mathematical model, FIG. 2 depicts a temperature/specific-entropy (T-s) diagram corresponding to the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 1, wherein the following symbols are used to designate the involved thermodynamic states and processes: State 1pumped primary ejector fluid (saturated water) prior to heating in the liquid/water heater (5) State 2heated primary ejector fluid (saturated water) prior to acceleration in the nozzle (11) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10) State 3heated primary ejector fluid (saturated water) after acceleration in the nozzle (11) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10) State 4wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10) State 4saturated liquid (water) at static pressure at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), and at the suction of the condensate pump (3) State 4saturated vapor (dry steam) at static pressure at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), and at the inlet of the backpressure steam turbine (1) State 5secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1) Process 4-1Adiabatic pumping of the primary ejector fluid (saturated water) from the diffuser outlet static pressure to the maximum cycle static pressure Process 1-2Isobaric heating of the pumped primary ejector fluid (saturated water) to the maximum cycle temperature in the liquid/water heater (5) Process 2-3Adiabatic acceleration of the heated primary ejector fluid (saturated water) to the minimum static pressure in the nozzle (11) Process 4-5Adiabatic expansion of the secondary ejector fluid (saturated vapor) in the backpressure steam turbine (1) to the minimum static pressure in the nozzle (11) Processes 3-4 and 5-4Adiabatic compression of the primary ejector fluid (low-quality wet vapor) and the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted high-quality wet vapor), respectively, in the diffuser (15)

(38) Applied mathematical model uses the following simple system of basic fluid-mechanic and thermodynamic equations: conservation of energy equation, expressions for saturated water and saturated vapor (quality) mass fractions in a wet-vapor mixture in equilibrium, wet-vapor enthalpy expression, and the expression for the primary ejector fluid velocity at the nozzle outlet, as follows:

(39) ${\stackrel{.}{m}}_{\mathrm{prim}}.Math.\left(h_3+\frac{v_3^2}{2}\right)+{\stackrel{.}{m}}_{\sec }.Math.\left(h_5+\frac{v_5^2}{2}\right)=\left({\stackrel{.}{m}}_{\mathrm{prim}}+{\stackrel{.}{m}}_{\sec }\right).Math.\left(h_4+\frac{v_4^2}{2}\right)$${\stackrel{.}{m}}_{\mathrm{prim}}={\stackrel{.}{m}}_{H2O}.Math.\left(1-x_4\right)\&$${\stackrel{.}{m}}_{\sec }={\stackrel{.}{m}}_{H2O}.Math.x_4.fwdarw.\left({\stackrel{.}{m}}_{\mathrm{prim}}+{\stackrel{.}{m}}_{\sec }\right)={\stackrel{.}{m}}_{H2O}$$h_4=h_4^{}+x_4.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}\right)\&$$v_3=\sqrt{2.Math.\left(h_2-h_3\right)}$
where: m.sub.prim and m.sub.sec [kg/s] are mass flow rates of the primary ejector fluid, or jet/motion fluid (pumped and heated saturated liquid/water in this case) and the secondary ejector fluid, or suction (injected) fluid (exhausted wet vapor in this case), m.sub.H2O [kg/s] is total mass flow rate of the wet-vapor mixture, that is, the sum of mass flow rates of the primary and the secondary ejector fluid, h.sub.2 [kJ/kg] and h.sub.3 [kJ/kg] are enthalpies of the jet/motion fluid prior to and after acceleration in the nozzle (11) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), respectively, h.sub.4 [kJ/kg] is enthalpy of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), h.sub.4 [kJ/kg] and h.sub.4 [kJ/kg] are saturated liquid (water) and saturated vapor (dry steam) enthalpies, respectively, at static pressure at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), x.sub.4 [-] is quality of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), v.sub.3 [m/s] is velocity of the jet/motion fluid after acceleration in the nozzle (11) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), v.sub.4 [m/s] is velocity of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), and v.sub.5 [m/s] is velocity of the suction (injected) fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1).

(40) Combining and rearranging the above equations, it is possible to express the vapor quality at the exit of the wet-vapor-region thermocompressor diffuser, x.sub.4, as follows:

(41) $.fwdarw.\left(1-x_4\right).Math.h_2+x_4.Math.\left(h_5+\frac{v_5^2}{2}\right)=\left[h_4^{}+x_4.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}\right)+\frac{v_4^2}{2}\right].fwdarw.$$.fwdarw.h_2-h_4^{}-\frac{v_4^2}{2}=x_4.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}+h_2-h_5-\frac{v_5^2}{2}\right).fwdarw.$$\begin{array}{c}.fwdarw.x_4=\frac{\left(h_2-h_4^{}-\frac{v_4^2}{2}\right)}{\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}+h_2-h_5-\frac{v_5^2}{2}\right)}\end{array}$

(42) Thermal efficiency .sub.i,turb of the modified Rankine cycle without cycle-heat rejection and driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor is then defined according to the following expression:

(43) $\begin{array}{c}{}_{\mathrm{cycle}}=\frac{x_4.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_5\right)-\left(1-x_4\right).Math.\left(h_1-h_4^{}\right)}{\left(1-x_4\right).Math.\left(h_2-h_1\right)}\end{array}$
where: h.sub.1 [kJ/kg] is enthalpy of the pumped primary ejector fluid (saturated water) prior to heating in the liquid/water heater (5).

(44) The above explained mathematical model has been based on the general assumption of uniformity of static pressure across the mixing-tube/chamber inlet: (p.sub.3/p.sub.5=1.0), where p.sub.5 [kPa] is static pressure of the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor) after adiabatic expansion in the backpressure steam turbine (1), while p.sub.3 [kPa] is static pressure of the primary ejector fluid (saturated water) after adiabatic acceleration in the nozzle (11).

(45) To show potential extraordinary gains in cycle thermal efficiency of the thus modified Rankine cycle driven and augmented by the proposed wet-vapor-region thermocompressor, the following exemplary case #1 has been chosen, adopting the following general assumptions: overall efficiency of the condensate pump of .sub.pump=75%, the backpressure-steam-turbine isentropic efficiency of .sub.i,turb=87%, the maximum cycle static pressure of p.sub.1=p.sub.2=10 MPa (100 bar or 1,450 psi), the minimum static pressure at the outlet of the nozzle (11) of p.sub.3=p.sub.5=1 MPa (10 bar or 145 psi), the designed static pressure at the outlet of the diffuser (15) of p.sub.4=4 MPa (40 bar or 580 psi), velocity of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) of v.sub.4=200 m/s, and velocity of the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1) of v.sub.5=100 m/s. Neglecting pressure drop in the liquid/water heater (5), the calculation shows that the following cycle thermal efficiency of the proposed modified Rankine-cycle driven by the wet-vapor-region thermocompressor is achievable:

(46) $\mathrm{for}{p}_2=10\mathrm{MPa}=100\mathrm{bar}.fwdarw.h_2=h_2^{}=1407.7\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}},s_2^{}=3.36\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}.Math.K}$$\mathrm{for}{p}_4=4\mathrm{MPa}=40\mathrm{bar}.fwdarw.h_4^{}=1087.5\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}},{}_4^{}=798.7\frac{\mathrm{kg}}{m^3},s_4^{}=2.796\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}.Math.K}\&h_4^{}=2801\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}},s_4^{}=6.07\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}.Math.K}$$\mathrm{for}{p}_{35}=1\mathrm{MPa}=10\mathrm{bar}.fwdarw.h_{35}^{}=762.7\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}},s_{35}^{}=2.138\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}.Math.K}\&h_{35}^{}=2778\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}},s_{35}^{}=6.587\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}.Math.K}$$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{for}{}_{i,\mathrm{turb}}=87\%=0.87.fwdarw.h_5\\ =h_4^{}-{}_{i,\mathrm{turb}}.Math.\left\{h_4^{}-\left[h_{35}^{}+\left(h_{35}^{}-h_{35}^{}\right).Math.\frac{\left(s_4^{}-s_{35}^{}\right)}{\left(s_{35}^{}-s_{35}^{}\right)}\right]\right\}\\ =2801\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}-0.87.Math.\\ \left\{2801-\left[762.7+\left(2778-762.7\right).Math.\frac{\left(6.07-2.138\right)}{\left(6.587-2.138\right)}\right]\right\}\left[\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\right]\\ =2577.245\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\end{array}$$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{for}{}_{\mathrm{pump}}=75\%=0.75.fwdarw.h_1=h_4^{}+\frac{1}{{}_{\mathrm{pump}}}.Math.\frac{\left(p_{12}-p_4\right)}{{}_4^{}}\\ =1087.5\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}-\frac{1}{0.75}.Math.\frac{\left(10000-4000\right)\left[\mathrm{kPa}\frac{\mathrm{kN}}{m^2}\right]}{\left(798.7\frac{\mathrm{kg}}{m^3}\right)}=1097.5\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\end{array}$$\mathrm{for}{v}_4=200\frac{m}{s}.fwdarw.x_4=\frac{\left(h_2-h_4^{}-\frac{v_5^2}{2}\right)}{\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}+h_2-h_5-\frac{v_5^2}{2}\right)}=\frac{\left(1407.7-1087.5-\frac{{200}^2}{2000}\right)}{\left(2801-1087.5+1407.7-2577.245-\frac{{100}^2}{2000}\right)}=0.557$${}_{\mathrm{cycle}}=\frac{x_4.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_5\right)-\left(1-x_4\right).Math.\left(h_1-h_4^{}\right)}{\left(1-x_4\right).Math.\left(h_2-h_1\right)}=\frac{0.557.Math.\left(2801-2577.245\right)-\left(1-0.557\right).Math.\left(10\right)}{\left(1-0.557\right).Math.\left(1407.7-1097.5\right)}=0.8747=87.47\%$

(47) The calculated cycle thermal efficiency of 87.47% is already extraordinary high and higher than the corresponding Carnot cycle efficiency. However, the cycle thermal efficiency can be even higher, ideally close to 100%, when the velocity of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) becomes equal to the velocity of the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1), that is, when v.sub.4=v.sub.5=100 m/s:

(48) $\mathrm{for}{v}_4=v_{4,\min }.fwdarw.x_{4,\max }=\frac{\left(h_2-h_4^{}-\frac{v_{4,\min }^2}{2}\right)}{\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}+h_2-h_5-\frac{v_5^2}{2}\right)}$$\mathrm{for}{v}_{4,\min }=v_5=100\frac{m}{s}.fwdarw.x_{4,\max }=\frac{\left(h_2-h_4^{}-\frac{v_{4,\min }^2}{2}\right)}{\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}+h_2-h_5-\frac{v_5^2}{2}\right)}=\frac{\left(1407.7-1087.5-\frac{{100}^2}{2000}\right)}{\left(2801-1087.5+1407.7-2577.245-\frac{{100}^2}{2000}\right)}=0.584835$${}_{\mathrm{cycle},\max }=\frac{x_{4,\max }.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_5\right)-\left(1-x_{4,\max }\right).Math.\left(h_1-h_4^{}\right)}{\left(1-x_{4,\max }\right).Math.\left(h_2-h_1\right)}=\frac{0.584835.Math.\left(2801-2577.245\right)-\left(1-0.584835\right).Math.\left(10\right)}{\left(1-0.584835\right).Math.\left(1407.7-1097.5\right)}=0.98388=98.388\%$

(49) The above calculation result shows that nearly 100%-cycle-thermal-efficiency can be obtained using the basic configuration (FIG. 1) of the modified Rankine cycle driven by the wet-vapor-region thermocompressor, provided the velocity of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) is equal to the velocity of the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1), that is, when v.sub.4=v.sub.5. It also has to be noted that the quality of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) indicated in FIG. 2 should read x.sub.4 (more precise x.sub.4,max) instead of x.sub.3. Similarly, the backpressure-steam-turbine isentropic efficiency indicated in in FIG. 2 should read ETA.sub.tur,is=87% instead of ETA.sub.tur,is=90%.

(50) In relation to inequality of the velocity of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) (assumed v.sub.4=200 m/s) and the velocity of the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1) (assumed v.sub.5=100 m/s), it is interesting and illustrative to estimate a corresponding effectiveness of the diffuser (15), .sub.diff, as follows:

(51) $\mathrm{for}{x}_{35}=x_4.fwdarw.h_{35}=h_{35}^{}+x_4.Math.\left(h_{35}^{}-h_{35}^{}\right)$$\mathrm{for}{x}_4=0.557.fwdarw.h_4=h_4^{}+x_4.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}\right)=\left[1087.5+0.557.Math.\left(2801-1087.5\right)\right]\left[\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\right]=2041.9195\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}$$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{for}{x}_{4,\max }=0.584835.fwdarw.h_{4,\mathrm{id}}=h_4^{}+x_{4,\max }.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}\right)\\ =\left[1087.5+0.584835.Math.\left(2801-1087.5\right)\right]\left[\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\right]=2089.616\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\end{array}$$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{for}{x}_{4,\max }=0.584835.fwdarw.h_{35,\mathrm{id}}=h_{35}^{}+x_{4,\max }.Math.\left(h_{35}^{}-h_{35}^{}\right)\\ =\left[762.7+0.584835.Math.\left(2778-762.7\right)\right]\left[\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\right]=1941.319\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\end{array}$$\begin{array}{c}.fwdarw.{}_{\mathrm{diff}}=\frac{\left(h_4-h_{35,\mathrm{id}}\right)}{\left(h_{4,\mathrm{id}}-h_{35,\mathrm{id}}\right)}\end{array}$${}_{\mathrm{diff}}=\frac{\left(h_4-h_{35,\mathrm{id}}\right)}{\left(h_{4,\mathrm{id}}-h_{35,\mathrm{id}}\right)}=\frac{\left(2041.9195-1941.319\right)}{\left(2089.616-1941.319\right)}=0.67837=67.84\%$
Calculation of Exemplary Case #2

(52) Exemplary case #2 described by the above explained mathematical model relates to FIG. 4, which depicts a temperature/specific-entropy (T-s) diagram corresponding to the modified Rankine-cycle power-plant driven by a wet-vapor-region thermocompressor depicted in FIG. 3. The main difference of FIG. 3 relative to FIG. 1 is use of the additional heat exchanger/superheater (6) for isobaric heat addition to the saturated vapor (gas fraction) separated in the cylindrical separation tank (2), to the end superheating of the saturated vapor and thus enabling the backpressure steam turbine (1) to operate with superheated steam at its inlet, resulting in an increased steam-turbine specific work for the same expansion pressure ratio. The following symbols are used to designate additionally involved/altered thermodynamic states and processes: State 5heated primary ejector fluid (superheated vapor/steam) prior to adiabatic expansion in the backpressure steam turbine (1) State 6secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1) Process 4-5Isobaric heating of the primary ejector fluid (saturated vapor) to a maximum chosen steam temperature in the additional heat exchanger/superheater (6) Process 5-6Adiabatic expansion of the secondary ejector fluid (superheated vapor/steam) in the backpressure steam turbine (1) to the minimum static pressure in the nozzle (11)

(53) The following expressions determine: quality of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (x.sub.4,II), thermal efficiency of the modified Rankine cycle (.sub.cycle,II) and effectiveness of the diffuser (.sub.diff), respectively:

(54) $\begin{array}{c}.fwdarw.x_{4,\mathrm{II}}=\frac{\left(h_2-h_4^{}-\frac{v_4^2}{2}\right)}{\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}+h_2-h_6-\frac{v_6^2}{2}\right)}\end{array}$$\begin{array}{c}{}_{\mathrm{cycle},\mathrm{II}}=\frac{x_{4,\mathrm{II}}.Math.\left(h_5-h_6\right)-\left(1-x_{4,\mathrm{II}}\right).Math.\left(h_1-h_4^{}\right)}{\left(1-x_{4,\mathrm{II}}\right).Math.\left(h_2-h_1\right)+x_{4,\mathrm{II}}.Math.\left(h_5-h_4^{}\right)}\end{array}$$\begin{array}{c}.fwdarw.{}_{\mathrm{diff},\mathrm{II}}=\frac{\left(x_{4,\mathrm{II}}-h_{36,\mathrm{II},\mathrm{id}}\right)}{\left(x_{4,\mathrm{II},\mathrm{id}}-h_{36,\mathrm{II},\mathrm{id}}\right)}\end{array}$
where: h.sub.2 [kJ/kg] is enthalpy of the jet/motion fluid prior to acceleration in the nozzle (11) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), h.sub.4,II [kJ/kg] is enthalpy of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), h.sub.4 [kJ/kg] and h.sub.4 [kJ/kg] are saturated liquid (water) and saturated vapor (dry steam) enthalpies, respectively, at static pressure at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), x.sub.4,II [-] is quality of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), h.sub.5 and h.sub.6 [kJ/kg] are enthalpies of the suction (injected) fluid (superheated steam and exhausted wet vapor) prior to and after adiabatic expansion in the backpressure steam turbine (1), v.sub.4 [m/s] is velocity of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) of the wet-vapor thermocompressor (10), and v.sub.6 [m/s] is velocity of the suction (injected) fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1).

(55) The chosen exemplary case #2 adopts the following additional/altered general assumptions: the maximum steam temperature in the additional heat exchanger/superheater (6) of T.sub.5=300 C. (573 K or 572 F.) at the designed static pressure at the outlet of the diffuser (15) of p.sub.4=4 MPa (40 bar or 580 psi), velocity of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) of v.sub.4=200 m/s, and velocity of the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1) of v.sub.6=100 m/s. Neglecting pressure drops in both the liquid/water heater (5) and the additional heat exchanger/superheater (6), the calculation shows that the following cycle thermal efficiency of the proposed modified Rankine-cycle driven by the wet-vapor-region thermocompressor is achievable:

(56) 0$\mathrm{for}{p}_{45}=4\mathrm{MPa}=40\mathrm{bar}\&T_5=300C..fwdarw.h_5=2955\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}},s_5=6.352\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}.Math.K}$$\mathrm{for}{p}_{36}=1\mathrm{MPa}=10\mathrm{bar}.fwdarw.h_{36}^{}=762.7\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}},s_{36}^{}=2.138\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}.Math.K}\&h_{36}^{}=2778\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}},s_{36}^{}=6.587\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}.Math.K}$$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{for}{}_{i,\mathrm{turb}}=87\%=0.87.fwdarw.h_6\\ =h_5-{}_{i,\mathrm{turb}}.Math.\left\{h_5-\left[h_{36}^{}+\left(h_{36}^{}-h_{36}^{}\right).Math.\frac{\left(s_5-s_{36}^{}\right)}{\left(s_{36}^{}-s_{36}^{}\right)}\right]\right\}\\ =2955\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}-0.87.Math.\\ \left\{2955-\left[762.7+\left(2778-762.7\right).Math.\frac{\left(6.352-2.138\right)}{\left(6.587-2.138\right)}\right]\right\}\left[\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\right]\\ =2708.4\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\end{array}$$\mathrm{for}{v}_{4,\min }=v_6=100\frac{m}{s}.fwdarw.x_{4,\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}=\frac{\left(h_2-h_4^{}-\frac{v_{4,\min }^2}{2}\right)}{\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}+h_2-h_6-\frac{v_6^2}{2}\right)}=\frac{\left(1407.7-1087.5-\frac{{100}^2}{2000}\right)}{\left(2801-1087.5+1407.7-2708.4-\frac{{100}^2}{2000}\right)}=0.772928$$\mathrm{for}{v}_4=200\frac{m}{s}.fwdarw.x_{4,\mathrm{II}}=\frac{\left(h_2-h_4^{}-\frac{v_4^2}{2}\right)}{\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}+h_2-h_6-\frac{v_6^2}{2}\right)}=\frac{\left(1407.7-1087.5-\frac{{100}^2}{2000}\right)}{\left(2801-1087.5+1407.7-2708.4-\frac{{100}^2}{2000}\right)}=0.736145$${}_{\mathrm{cycle},\mathrm{II}}=\frac{x_{4,\mathrm{II}}.Math.\left(h_5-h_6\right)-\left(1-x_{4,\mathrm{II}}\right).Math.\left(h_1-h_4^{}\right)}{\left(1-x_{4,\mathrm{II}}\right).Math.\left(h_2-h_1\right)+x_{4,\mathrm{II}}.Math.\left(h_5-h_4^{}\right)}=\frac{0.736145.Math.\left(2955-2708.4\right)-\left(1-0.736145\right).Math.\left(10\right)}{\left(1-0.736145\right).Math.\left(1407.7-1097.5\right)+0.736145.Math.\left(2955-2801\right)}=0.9164=91.64\%$${}_{\mathrm{cycle},\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}=\frac{x_{4,\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}.Math.\left(h_5-h_6\right)-\left(1-x_{4,\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}\right).Math.\left(h_1-h_4^{}\right)}{\left(1-x_{4,\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}\right).Math.\left(h_2-h_1\right)+x_{4,\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}.Math.\left(h_5-h_4^{}\right)}=\frac{0.772928.Math.\left(2955-2708.4\right)-\left(1-0.772928\right).Math.\left(10\right)}{\left(1-0.772928\right).Math.\left(1407.7-1097.5\right)+0.772928.Math.\left(2955-2801\right)}=0.994=99.4\%$$\mathrm{for}{x}_{4,\mathrm{II}}=0.736145.fwdarw.h_{4,\mathrm{II}}=h_4^{}+x_{4,\mathrm{II}}.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}\right)=\left[1087.5+0.736145.Math.\left(2801-1087.5\right)\right]\left[\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\right]=2348.884\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}$$\mathrm{for}{x}_{4,\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}=0.772928.fwdarw.h_{4,\mathrm{II},\mathrm{id}}=h_4^{}+x_{4,\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}.Math.\left(h_4^{}-h_4^{}\right)=\left[1087.5+0.772928.Math.\left(2801-1087.5\right)\right]\left[\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\right]=2411.912\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}$$\mathrm{for}{x}_{4,\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}=0.772928.fwdarw.h_{36,\mathrm{II},\mathrm{id}}=h_{36}^{}+x_{4,\mathrm{II},m\mathrm{ax}}.Math.\left(h_{36}^{}-h_{36}^{}\right)=\left[762.7+0.772928.Math.\left(2778-762.7\right)\right]\left[\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}\right]=2320.3816\frac{\mathrm{kJ}}{\mathrm{kg}}$${}_{\mathrm{diff},\mathrm{II}}=\frac{\left(h_{4,\mathrm{II}}-h_{36,\mathrm{II},\mathrm{id}}\right)}{\left(h_{4,\mathrm{II},\mathrm{id}}-h_{36,\mathrm{II},\mathrm{id}}\right)}=\frac{\left(2348.884-2320.3816\right)}{\left(2411.912-2320.3816\right)}=0.3114=31.14\%$

(57) Similarly to conclusion for the exemplary case #1, the above calculation result for the exemplary case #2 shows that nearly 100%-cycle-thermal-efficiency can be obtained even more easily using the altered configuration (FIG. 3) of the modified Rankine cycle driven by the wet-vapor-region thermocompressor, provided the velocity of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) is equal to the velocity of the secondary ejector fluid (exhausted wet vapor) at the exit of the backpressure steam turbine (1), that is, when v.sub.4=v.sub.5. Similarly to FIG. 2, here it also has to be noted that the quality of the wet-vapor mixture at the exit of the diffuser (15) indicated in FIG. 4 should read x.sub.4 (more precise x.sub.4,max) instead of x.sub.3, while the backpressure-steam-turbine isentropic efficiency indicated in in FIG. 2 should read ETA.sub.tur,is=87% instead of ETA.sub.tur,is=90%.

(58) In the above calculations of exemplary cases #1 and #2 it has been assumed that the pressure recovery ratio of the said thermocompressor (10) is 4:1, which may seem an overestimation. However, similar calculation results and cycle efficiencies would have been obtained even for a much lower assumed thermocompressor pressure recovery ratio of 2:1. For such or even lower thermocompressor pressure recovery ratios, it is recommendable and feasible to use the said optional steam compressor (18), which artificially increases the pressure recovery ratio of the said thermocompressor (10), thus allowing the said backpressure steam turbine (1) driving the said steam compressor (18) to still achieve a positive net surplus work.

(59) All numbers expressing process or cycle parameters, cycle thermal efficiencies, specific cycle outputs, and so forth, used in this specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about or approximately. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. Since further modifications, applications or adaptations of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art, aim of the appended patent claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.