Carnot Cycle Notes

Carnot Cycle Notes [Complete Explanation] with [PDF]
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Hello readers, In the last session, we had completed the derivation on Otto Cycle and Diesel
Cycle whereas in today's session, we will discuss the explanation of Carnot Cycle along with
its derivation.
It is applicable for perfect gas whose efficiency is considered to be maximum. It was proposed
by 'Sadi Carnot' in 1824.
Carnot Cycle Process:

The Carnot cycle consists of Two Isothermal Processes and Two Adiabatic Processes.
Both these processes are reversible and therefore It is the most efficient cycle, as it involves no
losses.
The theoretical heat engine that operates on this cycle is the Carnot Engine.
Assumptions:
The working material should be a perfect gas.

The motion of the piston in the cylinder is frictionless.
The working substance(gas) is to be placed in the cylinder, which expands and compresses
and makes the piston to move up and down w.r.t. the processes.
It consists of 4 reversible processes. They are
Process 1-2: Reversible Isothermal Expansion.

Process 2-3: Reversible Adiabatic Expansion
Process 3-4: Reversible Isothermal Compression.
Process 4-1: Reversible Adiabatic Compression.
The explanation of the above processes are as follows.
Process 1-2: Reversible Isothermal Expansion
This is a Reversible Isothermal Expansion process. In this process, initially at state 1, the
temperature of the gas is T1 and the cylinder head is in contact with a hot body or hot reservoir
or Source also at a temp T1.
Heat is supplied to the system(gas) from the source(high temp reservoir/hot body) at Constant
temperature i.e. T1 = T2 and the expansion has taken place.
Due to this, there is a pressure drop from P1 to P2 and the increase in entropy from S1 to S2
which indicates that the work is done by the gas.
Adiabatic Expansion in Carnot

Cycle
This is a Reversible Adiabatic Expansion process. At state 2, the hot reservoir is replaced by
insulation. There is no heat transfer during this process.
Even though work is done by the gas i.e. due to internal energy and as there is no heat
transfer, the temperature within the system is used to do the work and thereby at the end of this
process, there is a drop in temperature i.e. from T2 to T3(shown in T-S Diagram).
Whereas the volume is increased from V2 to V3, Pressure

decreases from P2 to P3, and entropy remains constant i.e.
S2 = S3.
Adiabatic Expansion in Carnot

Cycle
Process 3-4: Reversible Isothermal Compression
This is a Reversible Isothermal Compression process. In this process, the insulation at the
cylinder head is removed and the cylinder head is brought into contact with a cold reservoir or
sink.
Heat is rejected from the gas to the sink(low temp reservoir or cold body) at Constant
temperature i.e. T3=T4(shown in T-S Diagram)
Here, Pressure is increased from P3 to P4, Entropy decreases from S3 to S4, and Volume is
decreased from V3 to V4.
Isothermal Compression in
Carnot Cycle
This is a Reversible Adiabatic Compression process. In this process, the cold reservoir is
replaced by the insulation so that the entire system becomes adiabatic.
No heat transfer(adiabatic) takes place during this process and temperature increases from T4
to T1, Pressure increases from P4 to P1, Volume decreased from V4 to V1 and Entropy
remains constant S1=S4.
The P-V and T-S Diagram for Carnot cycle are shown below. The derivation of the Carnot cycle
is explained below to determine Thermal efficiency.
Adiabatic Compression in
Carnot Cycle
Carnot Cycle Derivation:

The Carnot Cycle derivation was presented below in a written format.
Thermal Efficiency = Workdone/Amount of heat supplied
Work done (W) = Heat supplied(Qs)-Heat rejected(QR)
Now project the values into the equation and get the thermal efficiency which is shown below.
Derivation of Carnot Cycle
The Thermal Efficiency of the Carnot cycle is derived above and the equation of thermal
efficiency is [1-(T3/T1)].
So I hope you are able to understand the topic that is the Carnot Cycle. If you have any
doubts regarding this paper, feel free to ask me in the comment section.
FAQ's on Carnot Cycle:

What are the four process of Carnot cycle?
The four processes of Carnot cycle are
Process 1-2: Reversible Isothermal Expansion.
Process 3-4: Reversible Isothermal Compression.
What is meant by Carnot cycle?

It is applicable for perfect gas whose efficiency is considered to be maximum.
What is the use of Carnot cycle?
Carnot engine is a hypothetical heat engine designed based on the Carnot cycle where heat
delivered to a system is used to obtain useful mechanical work.

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Carnot Cycle Notes [Complete Explanation] with [PDF]

Carnot Cycle Process:

The working material should be a perfect gas.

It consists of 4 reversible processes. They are

Process 1-2: Reversible Isothermal Expansion.

The explanation of the above processes are as follows.

Process 1-2: Reversible Isothermal Expansion

Adiabatic Expansion in Carnot

Whereas the volume is increased from V2 to V3, Pressure

Adiabatic Expansion in Carnot

Process 3-4: Reversible Isothermal Compression

Process 4-1: Reversible Adiabatic Compression.

Carnot Cycle Derivation:

Thermal Efficiency = Workdone/Amount of heat supplied

Work done (W) = Heat supplied(Qs)-Heat rejected(QR)

FAQ's on Carnot Cycle:

What is meant by Carnot cycle?

What is the use of Carnot cycle?

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