Before delving into specific solutions, it is essential to understand why this text remains a staple in university curricula worldwide. M.M. El-Wakil, a prominent figure in nuclear and mechanical engineering, wrote the book with a dual focus: theoretical rigor and practical application.
: Detailed analysis of the Rankine cycle (for steam) and Brayton cycle (for gas turbines), including efficiency-boosting modifications like reheat and regeneration.
GE and Mitsubishi are developing H2-fueled gas turbines. The high flame speed and adiabatic temperature of hydrogen risk damaging turbine blades. El-Wakil’s solution for (Chapter 11) – using air bleeds from the compressor to cool first-stage nozzles – is the standard engineering response.
The largest section of El-Wakil’s text focuses on steam power plants. In an era where coal plants are being retired, the solutions he offers are being repurposed for biomass, concentrated solar power (CSP), and combined cycle gas plants.