Problem Solving Tips

Otto Cycle
Knowing the ration of compression

r=

v1 v 4
v
=
v2 v 3 , use relative specific volume ( r )

to jump from 12 and 34 (needs to be isentropic)

If you know inlet temp (atm temp),

T1 vr 1 ;

vr 1 V 1
= =r = V r 2 T 2
vr 2 V 2

Use ideal gas law to get pressure

P V
P V
P
PV
= R=
=constant = 2 2 = 1 1 P2
RT
T
T2
T1

1st law
2-3 involves heat addition, constant volume, dV =0

qw=u3u2 ( mass )
w=w other

+w boundary

because

w boundary= Pdv=0

q out =u3u 2

; q =u 4u1 ; W net =q qout

Diesel Cycle
Knowing the ration of compression

r=

v1
v2

and the cutoff ratio

rc=

v3
v2

and P1 and

T1,
12 isentropic (as is 34)
T1Vr1,Pr1 ;

vr 2 V 2 1
= =
vr 1 V 1 r

because s=const and

P3 V 3 P 2 V 2
=
T3
T2

1st law for qin : constant pressure

q - w= u2 - u3 ; w boundary= Pdv
for qout : fixed volume

q =h3h2

because h includes

w boundary

q w =u4-u3 => qout =u4-u3

; W net =q qout

Stirling notes
v1=v4; v2=v3 ; v=RT/P
qregen =q4-1=u1-u4=cv[T1-T4]
For helium cv=/=f(T); use constant, cv does not change

Brayton Cycle
Pressure ratio rp
Knowing

1 2

r p=

P2
P1

, T1, T3

is isentropic therefore T 1 Pr 1

Only in isentropic processes

P
P
1
= r1 = 1
r p Pr 2 P 2

=>Pr2=>P2

Ct process

2 3 ; P2=P3 ; P 4=P1

;;

3 4 ; T3 Pr3;

P r 4 P4 1
= = Pr 4 T 4
P r 3 P3 r p

In compressor:
No heat transfer unless intercooler is used during compression
q -wcomp =h2-h1
wcomp,in= h2-h1 ;sign is positive because work done to the system is negative, work
in then becomes plus.
In turbine:
q -wcomp =h4-h3
wcomp,in= h3-h4

Regenerator
Effectiveness

q regen, actual h5h2

=
q regen, max h4 h2

Otto

Diesel

Brayton