Air enters the compressor of a gas turbine at 100 kPa, 300 K. The air is compressed in two stages to 900 kPa, with intercooling to 300 K between the stages at a pressure of 300 kPa. The turbine inlet temperature is 1480 K and the expansion occurs in two stages, with reheat to 1420 K between the stages at a pressure of 300 kPa. The compressor and turbine stage efficiencies are 0.91 and 0.88, respectively. The net power developed is 1.8 MW. Determine

(a) the volumetric flow rate, in m3/s, at the inlet of each compressor stage.
(b) the thermal efficiency of the cycle.
(c) the back work ratio.

An external consultant recommends that a plant installs a bank of capacitors for power factor correction. this will reduce the peak electrical demand charges by an average of 93 kw every month. the plant current pays $13 per kw in peak demand charges. the capacitor bank will include 223 kw of fixed capacitors, and 183 of variable capacitors. the fixed capacitors cost $59 per kw, and the variable capacitors will cost $65 per kw. the consultant charges 21% of the equipment costs to install the capacitors. because this project will reduce the demand for the electric utility, they are prepared to provide a one-time rebate of $42 per kw of reduced demand. what is the simple payback period for this project (in years)?