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Saturation vapor curve

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Curve separating the two-phase and superheated states of a T-s diagram
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In thermodynamics, the saturation vapor curve is the curve separating the two-phase state and the superheated vapor state in the T–s diagram (temperature–entropy diagram).

The saturated liquid curve is the curve separating the subcooled liquid state and the two-phase state in the T–s diagram.

When used in a power cycle, the fluid expansion depends strongly on the nature of this saturation curve:

  • A "wet" fluid shows a negative saturation vapor curve. If overheating before the expansion is limited, a two-phase state is obtained at the end of the expansion.
Wet fluid in an ORC cycle
  • An "isentropic" fluid shows a vertical saturation vapor curve. It remains very close to the saturated vapor state after an hypothetical isentropic expansion.
Isentropic fluid in an ORC cycle
  • A "dry" fluid shows a positive saturation vapor curve. It is in dry vapor state at the end of the expansion, and strongly overheated.
Dry fluid in an ORC cycle

See also

References

  1. A New Phase Diagram: The T-S Diagram at LearnThermo.com


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