Final answer:
The thermodynamic efficiency of a steam system is the ratio of useful energy output to the energy input.
Step-by-step explanation:
The thermodynamic efficiency of a steam system is a measure of how well it converts heat into work. Specifically, it is defined as the ratio of the net work output to the heat input to the system.
This efficiency can be represented by the equation Eff = W/Qh, where W is the work done by the system and Qh is the heat transferred into the system.
The maximum theoretical efficiency of a heat engine, also known as the Carnot efficiency, depends on the temperatures of the hot and cold reservoirs as well.
The average steam system thermal cycle efficiency is 58%, which means that 42% of the energy that is consumed in the boilers is wasted or loss.
For practical systems like steam turbines, this means that the efficiency is always less than 100%, due to various real-world factors such as friction and material limitations.