A power plant based on the Rankine cycle is under development to provide a net power output of 10 MW. Solar collectors are to be used to generate Refrigerant 22 vapor at 1.6 MPa, 50°C, for expansion through the turbine. Saturated liquid leaves the condenser at 12 bar. Cooling water is available at 20°C and is only allowed to increase by 15°C. Assume ηT=85% and ηP=70%. a.) Estimate the thermal efficiency of the power cycle.
b.) Determine the refrigerant flow rate, in kg/h.
c.) Determine the minimum possible cooling water flow rate, in kg/h.

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)?