Rankine cycle

noun

, Thermodynamics.

1. the hypothetical cycle of a steam engine in which all heat transfers take place at constant pressure and in which expansion and compression occur adiabatically.

Rankine cycle

/ ˈræŋkɪn /

noun

1. the thermodynamic cycle in steam engines by which water is pumped into a boiler at one end and the steam is condensed at the other

Word History and Origins

Origin of Rankine cycle¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; named after W. J. M. Rankine

Word History and Origins

Origin of Rankine cycle¹

C19: named after W. J. M. Rankine (1820–72), Scottish physicist

Example Sentences

Some power plants and industrial users send their hot waste water through secondary engines, which convert a small percentage of energy in that water into electricity using a process called the organic Rankine cycle.

From Scientific American

Exergyn will also compete with the organic Rankine cycle engines that businesses already use to recover energy from waste heat—which Exergyn might have an inherent advantage over, according to Koomey.

From Scientific American

The study evaluated the technical feasibility of tapping this energy source by siting submarine generators above the vent to run an organic Rankine cycle thermal plant.

From Forbes

Thermal plants, both renewable and fossil-fueled, generally use the Rankine Cycle to produce electricity.

From Scientific American

Approaches include use of the Rankine cycle to convert waste heat to work, and the development of low-cost and high-efficiency solid-state thermoelectric systems.

From Nature