Modules in

Thermodynamics 2

SESSION TOPIC 2.1: Ideal Gas Cycles

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the session you will:

1. Recognize the different Ideal Gas Cycles.
2. Identify the different properties and conditions at which each cycle of ideal gas can
occur.
3. Apply the concept of ideal gas cycles in analyzing problems.

KEY TERMS

Carnot Expansion Compression Work

Volume Mean Brayton Efficiency

CORE CONTENT
CARNOT CYCLE

– most efficient Thermodynamic Cycle

– heat is transferred during Isothermal Process
– during Isentropic Compression, the pressure increases
– during Isentropic Expansion, the pressure decreases
– Mean Effective Pressure (MEP) is the ratio of the Net Work
and the Volume Displacement

Carnot Heat engine (based on Carnot Cycle) was a concept developed by Nicolas Leonard
Sadi Carnot (1796-1832, a French Military Engineer and Physicist) so that one can visualize a
reversible heat engine in practice. Carnot engine is a reversible heat engine which works on
Carnot cycle.

Carnot cycle comprises of four processes.

1. Reversible isothermal process of heat addition (Process A-B)
2. Reversible adiabatic process of expansion (Process B-C)
3. Reversible isothermal process of heat rejection (Process C-D)
4. Reversible adiabatic process of compression (Process D-A)
Carnot Heat Engine
Now we understand Carnot engine physically in the following way.

Process A-B

In this process heat is released from the hot reservoir and is absorbed by the ideal gas
particles within the system. Thus, the temperature of the system rises. The high temperature
causes the gas particles to expand hence pushing the piston upwards and doing work on the
surroundings.

Process B-C
 In this process expansion continuous, however there is no heat exchange between the
system and the surroundings. Thus, the system is undergoing adiabatic expansion. The expansion
allows the ideal gas particles to cool, decreasing the temperature of the system.

Process C-D

In this process surroundings do work on the system which causes heat to be released. The
temperature within the system remains the same. Thus, isothermal expansion occurs.

Process D-A

No heat exchange occurs in this process however, the surroundings continue to do work
on the system. Adiabatic compression occurs which raises the temperature of the system and
puts the piston back to its original state (Prior to process A-B).
 SUMMARY OF FORMULAS

Heat Added, QA
QA = T1 (S1 – S4)

Heat Rejected, QR
QR = T2 (S1 – S4)

Net Work Output, W

W= QA – QR
W= (T1 – T2)(S1 – S4)

Cycle Efficiency, e
W
e= QA

T1 − T2
e= T1

where:
T1 = maximum absolute temperature
T2 = minimum absolute temperature
Volume Displacement, VD
VD = V2 – V3

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

1. A Carnot engine requires 35 kJ/sec from the hot source. The engine produces 15 kW of power
and the temperature of the sink is 26°C. What is the temperature of the hot source?
523.25 K

2. The maximum thermal efficiency possible for a power cycle operating between 1200°F and
225°F is:
58.73%

3. A Carnot engine receives 130 BTU of heat from a hot reservoir at 700°F and rejects 49 BTU of
heat. Calculate the temperature of the cold reservoir.
437.23 R
 ACTIVITY

Ideal Gas Cycles

You have to make a SUMMARY OF FORMULAS (entire output must fit in ONE-PAGE ONLY of
your chosen paper size) about Ideal Gas Cycles (Carnot, Brayton, Diesel and Otto). Your output
must include SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM (T – S or P – V DIAGRAM), SUMMARY OF FORMULAS
(Heat Added, Heat Rejected, Efficiency, Net Work, Important Constants, etc.). Please be creative
and organize in creating your activity. Preferably typewritten.

Note: Kindly put your Name and Student Number on the Upper Left Side of your paper. Thank
You!
 REFERENCES

https://clubtechnical.com/
https://www.mechanicaltutorial.com/