Modern light steam

What is Modern, Light Steam power?

Modern
Basically, steam technology developed in the 20th Century (and later) useful for the design of steam power systems for the 21st Century. That means that while information will be included about older technology, it is for the purpose of learning from it to develop new technology, rather than learning about it for its own sake. I.e., this isn't a history of steam.

Light
As a rough guide, think of less than 1000 hp or 1 MW. Systems that size and larger are widely available from established suppliers, but there is little or no smaller equipment commercially available. This line is also roughly the break-even point between reciprocating steam engines and steam turbines in terms of potential costs and efficiencies.

Steam
Here we are considering the Rankine thermodynamic cycle. A working fluid is boiled into a vapor at high pressure, expanded in an engine to extract work, condensed back to liquid and pumped back to the boiler. Fluids other than water can be used (then called Organic Rankine Cycles or ORCs), but they add a whole extra level of complexity to a system for little benefit. Thus, information here will deal with steam cycles, but can be adapted for ORCs if desired.