Enter the h2 to h3 (J), the h1 to h4 (J), and the h2 to h1 (J) into the calculator to determine the Rankine Cycle Efficiency. 

Rankine Cycle Efficiency Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Rankine Cycle Efficiency.

Erank = [(h2-h3) - (h1-h4)] / (h2-1) * 100
  • Where Erank is the Rankine Cycle Efficiency (%)
  • h2 to h3 (J) 
  • h1 to h4 (J) 
  • h2 to h1 (J) 

How to Calculate Rankine Cycle Efficiency?

The following example problems outline how to calculate the Rankine Cycle Efficiency.

Example Problem #1

  1. First, determine the h2 to h3 (J). In this example, the h2 to h3 (J) is given as 30 .
  2. Next, determine the h1 to h4 (J). For this problem, the h1 to h4 (J) is given as  20 .
  3. Next, determine the h2 to h1 (J). In this case, the h2 to h1 (J) is found to be 15.
  4. Finally, calculate the Rankine Cycle Efficiency using the formula above: 

Erank = [(h2-h3) – (h1-h4)] / (h2-1) * 100

Inserting the values from above and solving yields: 

Erank = [30 – 20 ] / (15) * 100 = 66.66 (%)


Example Problem #2

Using the same method as above, determine the variables required by the equation. For this example problem, these are provided as:

h2 to h3 (J) = 40

h1 to h4 (J) = 5

h2 to h1 (J) = 100

Enter these given values yields: 

Erank = [40- 5] / 100 * 100 = 35 (%)