Editing Rankine cycle (section)

=== Regenerative Rankine cycle ===
[[File:Regenerative_rankine_cycle.jpg|class=skin-invert-image|thumbnail|upright=1.2|Regenerative Rankine cycle]]
The regenerative Rankine cycle is so named because after emerging from the condenser (possibly as a [[subcooled liquid]]) the working fluid is heated by [[steam]] tapped from the hot portion of the cycle. On the diagram shown, the fluid at 2 is mixed with the fluid at 4 (both at the same pressure) to end up with the saturated liquid at 7. This is called "direct-contact heating". The Regenerative Rankine cycle (with minor variants) is commonly used in real power stations.

Another variation sends ''bleed steam'' from between turbine stages to [[feedwater heater]]s to preheat the water on its way from the condenser to the boiler.  These heaters do not mix the input steam and condensate, function as an ordinary tubular heat exchanger, and are named "closed feedwater heaters".

Regeneration increases the cycle heat input temperature by eliminating the addition of heat from the boiler/fuel source at the relatively low feedwater temperatures that would exist without regenerative feedwater heating. This improves the efficiency of the cycle, as more of the heat flow into the cycle occurs at higher temperature.