Consider a simple ideal Rankine cycle and an ideal regenerative Rankine cycle with one open feedwater heater. The two cycles are
very much alike, except the feedwater in the regenerative cycle is heated by extracting some steam just before it enters the turbine. Hence, the simple ideal Rankine cycle is more efficient than the ideal regenerative Rankine cycle. How would you compare the efficiencies of of these two cycles?
The simple ideal Rankine cycle and an ideal regenerative Rankine cycle with one open feedwater heater would both have the same efficiency because the extraction steam would just create a mini cycle that recirculates. The energy given to the feedwater heater is proportional to the added heat in the boiler to the feedwater in the simple cycle to raise its temperature to the same boiler inlet condition.
Therefore in comparison, the efficiency is the same for both.
