The component of the rankine cycle in which the working fluid vaporizes is the
The correct answer and explanation is:
The component of the Rankine cycle in which the working fluid vaporizes is the boiler (or evaporator).
In the Rankine cycle, the boiler plays a crucial role in converting the working fluid from a liquid state into a vapor. The cycle starts when the working fluid enters the boiler as a high-pressure liquid. Once inside the boiler, the fluid is heated by an external heat source, such as burning fuel, nuclear energy, or geothermal heat. As the temperature rises, the liquid absorbs energy and begins to vaporize. This process continues until the entire liquid is transformed into a vapor, usually at high pressure and temperature.
The working fluid is typically water in many power plants. As it passes through the boiler, it undergoes phase change from liquid to steam. The key factor here is that the energy added to the water at constant pressure during this phase change is in the form of latent heat. This steam is then directed into the turbine, where it will expand and do mechanical work.
The importance of the boiler in the Rankine cycle lies in its ability to supply the necessary heat to change the phase of the working fluid. This phase change from liquid to vapor is essential for the cycle’s efficiency. The vaporized working fluid, now in the form of steam, has a much higher volume than the liquid and thus can expand through the turbine, driving a generator or other mechanical devices to produce power.
In summary, the boiler is responsible for vaporizing the working fluid in the Rankine cycle, which is a key step in transforming thermal energy into mechanical energy.