Introduction

In some power cycles, the fuel is burned and energy is transferred as heat to a working medium (water) which undergoes a cyclic change.

Thermal power plant is an example of such a device.

In some heat engines, the fuel is burned inside the engine cylinder and the hot gases are allowed to expand. These classes of engines are usually called internal combustion engines.

A large friction of electric power is produced by thermal power plants which employ the Rankine Cycle.

The working fluid used in the power plant is water which undergoes a cyclic change