Semester 3 / Engineering Thermodynamics /Heat Engine Cycle

Heat Engine Cycle

1 min read Updated Fri Apr 24 2026 03:19:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
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Efficiency

Thermal efficiency=WnetQin=1−QoutQin\text{Thermal efficiency} = \frac{W_\text{net}}{Q_\text{in}} = 1 - \frac{Q_\text{out}}{Q_\text{in}}

Carnot Cycle

Ideal reversible cycle for a heat engine. Has maximum thermal efficiency.

Has 4 elements. All processes are reversible.

  • through the boiler: isothermal heat addition
  • through the turbine: adiabatic expansion
  • through the condenser: isothermal heat rejection
  • through the pump: adiabatic compression