No, a wrong application. A steam turbine operates on the Rankine Cycle, and
can't reach the efficiency theoretically possible by the Carnot Cycle.
There is a phase change involved. PWR and BWR fission reactors are cooled
by water. Once steam condenses, further lowering the water temperature
would require addittional energy at the other end to generate high pressure
steam. One technique used for steam generation is to use waste heat to
PREHEAT water before generating steam. The only benefit for lower
temperature cooling water for steam condensation would be to reduce the
needed flow rate. The pebble bed helium working fluid fission reactor would
use Brayton Cycle turbines, as there would be no phase change.

One thing to keep in mind that engineering and economic compromises must be
made. For example, there is a limt to how many pressure stages would be
practical for a turbine. Material strength and corrosion resistance are
also limiting factors.

Try http://www.energy.qld.gov.au/infosit..._turbines.html for
more information.

Phil Weldon


"Bret Cahill" wrote in message
oups.com...
Not just Carnot cycle (efficiency = (T2 -T1) / T2), but all heat engine
cycles are more efficient with a cooler heat sink (T1).

Even nukes lose power output in the summer.


Bret Cahill