In: Physics
An engine cycle is used to extract work from a nuclear reactor with helium as the working fluid. The helium enters a compressor, and its pressure is raised adiabat- ically. It is then heated at constant pressure to a high temperature in the reactor core. The energy is supplied by the fission of plutonium. The helium then enters a turbine, in which it is allowed to expand adiabatically. It then passes through a pre-cooler, in which heat is rejected at constant pressure until it reaches the initial conditions. Suppose that helium enters the compressor at 280C and a pressure of 19 atm. It is compressed to 49 atm and then heated to 12500C in the reactor core. (a) What are the temperatures at the end of compression and expansion? (b) What are the heat flows per kilogram of helium in each cycle? (c) How much net work is done per kilogram of helium in each cycle?