Rankine cycle

noun Thermodynamics.

the hypothetical cycle of a steam engine in which all heat transfers take place at constant pressure and in which expansion and compression occur adiabatically.

Origin of Rankine cycle

First recorded in 1895–1900; named after W. J. M. Rankine

Also called Clausius cycle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for rankine cycle

Rankine cycle

noun

the thermodynamic cycle in steam engines by which water is pumped into a boiler at one end and the steam is condensed at the other

Word Origin for Rankine cycle

C19: named after W. J. M. Rankine (1820–72), Scottish physicist

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