adba9b10_nversion_and_Biomass_to_Energy__Explanation
[Term] Rankine cycle [Explanation] 
The Rankine vapor power cycle is the most widely used thermal cycle for electrical power generation throughout the world. It is commonly called a "steam cycle" when the working fluid is water. It consists of a boiler where heat is added to liquid phase pressurized working fluid (water) to create a high temperature and pressurized vapor (steam if the working fluid is water). The high-pressure steam is expanded through a turbine, which turns a generator creating electrical power. The low-pressure steam coming out of the turbine is condensed to liquid by cooling after which the pressure of the relatively low temperature liquid is raised by a boiler feed pump or pumps to repeat the cycle. Rankine cycle efficiencies depend on plant size, fuel, and design and typically vary from about 10 percent for very small (< 1 MWe) solid-fueled systems to greater than 40 percent for large (>500 MWe) supercritical units. Typical solid-fueled biomass and waste fired power plants (~10-100 MWe) have net efficiencies of about 17-25 percent.
Glossary: Conversion and Biomass-to-Energy
Explanation