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Carnot's Engine

The document summarizes the Carnot cycle, which consists of four reversible processes - two isothermal and two adiabatic processes - that operate between two temperature reservoirs. The cycle involves gas expanding and compressing reversibly in a cylinder. Heat is absorbed isothermally from a high-temperature reservoir and rejected isothermally to a low-temperature reservoir. The Carnot cycle yields the maximum possible efficiency for converting heat into work.

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49 views6 pages

Carnot's Engine

The document summarizes the Carnot cycle, which consists of four reversible processes - two isothermal and two adiabatic processes - that operate between two temperature reservoirs. The cycle involves gas expanding and compressing reversibly in a cylinder. Heat is absorbed isothermally from a high-temperature reservoir and rejected isothermally to a low-temperature reservoir. The Carnot cycle yields the maximum possible efficiency for converting heat into work.

Uploaded by

m54mohtashim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Carnot Cycle Notes [Complete Explanation] with [PDF]

mechanicalenotes.com/carnot-cycle/

July 29, 2019

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.

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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

Process 2-3: Reversible Adiabatic Expansion

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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.

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Isothermal Compression in
Carnot Cycle

Process 4-1: Reversible Adiabatic Compression.


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.

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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.

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Derivation of Carnot Cycle

The Thermal Efficiency of the Carnot cycle is derived above and the equation of thermal
efficiency is [1-(T3/T1)].

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