College Physics with MasteringPhysics 7th Edition by Jerry Wilson,Anthony Buffa,Bo Lou

Exercise 21

Because of limitations on materials, the maximum temperature of the superheated steam used in a turbine for the generation of electricity is about 540 °C. (a) If the steam condenser operates at 20 °C, what is the maximum Carnot efficiency of a steam turbine generator (b) The actual efficiency of such generators is about 35% to 40%. What does this range tell you