Question

It is well established that the thermal efficiency of a heat engine increases as the temperature TL at which heat is rejected from the heat engine decreases. In a effort to increase the efficiency of a power plant, somebody suggests refrigerating the cooling water before it enters the condenser, where heat rejection takes place. Would you be in favor of this idea?Why?

Answer 1

Answer: No, not in favor of the idea.

This is because, an increase in the refrigerator's work output is equal to work input. In real live application, the work input of the refrigerator is always greater than the additional work output. This will result to reducing the efficiency of the power plant.