Thermodynamic Analysis of the Ericsson Cycle using PASCO

Heat Engine Apparatus

Lester Jay Ollero1, Dianne Penaflor2, Paolo Valencia1 and, Vhrenzille Faye Yeso3
1
Institute of Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City
2
Institute of Mathematics, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City
3
Department of Geodetic Engineering, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City
*Corresponding author: third.author@email.univ.edu

Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the thermodynamic processes
involved in the Ericsson Cycle. Stability and bifurcation analysis were done
to establish the relationship between the net thermodynamic work in a heat
engine and mechanical work done by a heat engine in lifting a mass.
Pressure, height, total volume and temperature readings were taken through
the heat engine experimental set-up using PASCO heat engine apparatus.
From the obtained data, thermodynamic and mechanical work done by the
gas is computed for the three trials. Lastly, we calculated the average values
of the thermodynamic and mechanical work giving a 6.49% error.

Keywords: Ericsson Cycle, Isobaric, Isothermal, heat engine, work

1. Introduction
A heat engine is any system that transforms thermal energy into work. It absorbs some energy from the hot
reservoir, converts the heat into useful work, and discards the excess heat into a cold reservoir.

Figure 1. Energy flow diagram for a heat engine

Thermodynamics is the study of energy transformations between heat and mechanical work. The heat engine
is constrained by the two laws of thermodynamics. The first law of thermodynamics states that heat is a form of
energy, thus it follows the conservation of energy into a system. Heat energy can never be destroyed nor created
but can be converted to other forms of energy. The second law of thermodynamics states that it is impossible to
transfer heat from a cooler body to a hotter one without an external force or work acting to it. Ericsson cycles
uses external heat and incorporates multiple use of intercooling and reheat. Ericsson cycle consists of isothermal
and isobaric processes. PASCO heat engine apparatus is used to simulate Ericsson cycle. The efficiency of
regenerative Ericsson engine is the same as Carnot Engine, however, there is an insufficient amount of worked
developed with gas due to its low thermal conductivity.

Figure 2. PV Diagram of the Ericsson Cycle

Physics 73.1 Midyear 2018 Technical Report

University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
June 26, 2018
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 Figure 2 shows the thermodynamic processes that takes place in the Ericsson Cycle. Isobaric and isothermal
processes are involved. Process A-B is a reversible isothermal compression. At this instant, the gas drawn into
the engine is compressed at constant temperature by the presence of the intercooler. Process B-C is a constant
pressure or isobaric heat absorption process. The mass lift is maintained at constant pressure while the system is
transferring the air chamber from lower to higher temperature. Process C-D is an isothermal expansion. During
this stage, the air is heated from the externally added heat. Process D-A is a constant pressure or isobaric heat
rejection process. There is a decrease in temperature. The volume decreases at constant pressure because no
mass is lifted by the system.
It is assumed that the work is done by an ideal gas. For the isothermal process, the work done by the system
is given by
𝑛𝑅𝑇
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑃 𝑑𝑉 where P=
𝑉
𝑉𝑓 𝑉𝑓
𝑛𝑅𝑇 𝑑𝑉
𝑊= ∫ 𝑑𝑉𝑊 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇 ∫ 𝑊 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇 ln 𝑉𝑓 − ln 𝑉𝑖
𝑉𝑖 𝑉 𝑉𝑖 𝑉
𝑉𝑓
𝑊 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇 ln( )
𝑉𝑖
𝑉𝑓
𝑊𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 = 𝑃𝑖𝑉𝑖 ln( ) (1)
𝑉𝑖

For isobaric processes, the work done by the ideal gas is

𝑊 = ∫ 𝑃 𝑑𝑉
𝑉𝑓
𝑊 = ∫𝑉𝑖 𝑃 𝑑𝑉
𝑉𝑓
𝑊 = 𝑃 ∫𝑉𝑖 𝑑𝑉
𝑊𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑐 = 𝑃(𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖) (2)
For both isothermal and isobaric processes, Pi is the initial pressure, Pf is the final pressure, Vi is the initial
volume and Vf is the final volume.
Mechanical work is computed using:
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔(ℎ𝑓 − ℎ𝑖) (3)
where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, hf is the final height, hi is the initial height of the
piston.

2. Methodology
The experiment was done to analyze the thermodynamic processes involved in the Ericsson Cycle, which is
subdivided into 4 states. And upon completing the apparatus’ needed, experimenters started to set-up.
2.1 Initialization of the Set-up
Connect the gas pressure sensor and the stainless steel temperature probe to the Vernier LabQuest, this will
measure the Pressure and the temperature, respectively, of each state in the experiment. A cauldron containing
water, at most a quarter from being full, was placed on an electric stove for boiling. The boiling water will be
used as the hot reservoir for the experiment. Prepare an ice bath placed in a beaker when the water from the
cauldron is already boiling, this is necessary so that the ice will not melt while waiting for the water in the
cauldron to boil. The ice bath will be considered as the cold reservoir for the experiment.
Gather all data initially given from the instruments. Record the diameter of the piston of the PASCO Heat
Engine Apparatus, the mass of the test object that will be placed on top of the piston, and the volume of the air
chamber (i.e 𝑉𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑚 = 1𝑥10−4 𝑚3 )

2.2 State A
Connect the air chamber to the the PASCO Heat Engine Apparatus while leaving the other port of the
apparatus open. Set the height of the piston in the cylinder at 50 mm, this will be the initial height that the group
will consider.
Place the air chamber in the ice bath and make sure that it is submerged at least halfway through. Upon
placing the chamber to the ice bath, connect the gas pressure sensor to the open port of the PASCO Heat Engine
Apparatus. Record the pressure shown on the Vernier LabQuest and the height of the cylinder. The temperature
of the gas inside the chamber will be measured using the stainless steel temperature probe or the thermistor
connected to the Vernier LabQuest, placing it close to the air chamber to know the temperature of the gas inside
the chamber. Make sure that the thermistor will not touch the ice bath nor the air chamber. For the recording of
the data of pressure and temperature wait until the pressure and temperature stabilize or achieve equilibrium
before recording.

Physics 73.1 Midyear 2018 Technical Report

University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
June 26, 2018
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 2.3 State B
Upon recording the data needed on State A, place a 100-g mass on top of the platform of the heat engine
apparatus. Record the pressure shown on the Vernier LabQuest and the height of the cylinder. The temperature
of the gas inside the chamber will be measured using the stainless steel temperature probe or the thermistor
connected to the Vernier LabQuest, placing it close to the air chamber to know the temperature of the gas inside
the chamber. Make sure that the thermistor will not touch the ice bath nor the air chamber. For the recording of
the data of pressure and temperature wait until the pressure and temperature stabilize or achieve equilibrium
before recording.

2.4 State C
Upon recording the data needed for State B, the air chamber shall now be transferred from the ice bath to the
boiling water inside the cauldron. The air chamber must be submerged at least halfway through, without
touching the bottom of the cauldron. Record the pressure shown on the Vernier LabQuest and the height of the
cylinder. The temperature of the gas inside the chamber will be measured using the stainless steel temperature
probe or the thermistor connected to the Vernier LabQuest, placing it close to the air chamber to know the
temperature of the gas inside the chamber. Make sure that the thermistor will not touch the boiling water nor the
air chamber. For the recording of the data of pressure and temperature wait until the pressure and temperature
stabilize or achieve equilibrium before recording.

2.5 State D
Upon recording the data needed for State C, remove the 100-g mass on top of the platform of the heat engine
apparatus. This step will complete the cycle of observation of the thermodynamic processes happening in the
Ericsson Cycle. Record the pressure shown on the Vernier LabQuest and the height of the cylinder. The
temperature of the gas inside the chamber will be measured using the stainless steel temperature probe or the
thermistor connected to the Vernier LabQuest, placing it close to the air chamber to know the temperature of the
gas inside the chamber. Make sure that the thermistor will not touch the boiling water nor the air chamber. For
the recording of the data of pressure and temperature wait until the pressure and temperature stabilize or achieve
equilibrium before recording.

3. Results and Discussion

Tables should be centered and numbered consecutively. One line table headings should be centered above
the table. Longer table headings should be centered above the table and justified for both left and right. The left
and right indention should be adjusted so as not to exceed the left and right edge of the table by more than 1 in.
Captions for tables will appear above the table, such as in Table 1.
Table 1. Example of embedding a table in your manuscript.
Time (s) x (m) y(m)
0.0 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.2 0.5
0.4 0.4 1.0

4. Conclusion

Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements and reference headings are unnumbered and are 12 point, bold, Times New Roman.

References
1. 1. H. Young and R. Freedman, University Physics, Chapter 20, Pearson Education, Inc., San Francisco,
CA, 2004.
2.
3. F. Author, S. Coauthor, “Title of paper,” in Proc. of 25 th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas, (Los Banos,
Philippines, 2007), pp 100-102.
4. F. Author, “Title of paper,” Journ of this Paper (to be published)
5. F. Author, Book Mentioned, Chapter 3, Publisher, City, 2000.

Physics 73.1 Midyear 2018 Technical Report

University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
June 26, 2018
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*Adapted from SPP Physics Congress Manuscript Format

Physics 73.1 Midyear 2018 Technical Report

University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
June 26, 2018
4