Chapter 7
Carnot Cycle and Power Cycles
CYCLE
A cycle is defined as a repeated series of
operations occurring in a certain order. It may be
repeated by repeating the processes in the
same order. The cycle may be of imaginary
perfect engine or actual engine. The former is
called ideal cycle and the latter actual cycle
Carnot Cycle /QH/
This cycle has the highest possible efficiency P b c
and consists of four simple operations namely
a-b Adiabatic compression until
the temperature rises from TC to TH a d
/QC/
b-c Isothermal expansion to
arbitrary point C with absorption of V
heat /QH/
c-d Adiabatic expansion until the temperature
decreases to TC
d-a Isothermal compression to the initial state with
rejection of heat /QH/
Area under PV curve
The area under the PV curve represents the
quantity of work done in a cycle
When the curve goes right to left, the work is
negative
The area enclosed by the four curves represents
the net work done by the engine in one cycle
Constant Pressure/ Brayton Cycle
This cycle consists of two constant pressure processes 2-3 & 4-1, and two adiabatic
processes 1-2 & 3-4. This cycle is the theoretical cycle on which the modern day gas
turbine is based on. Heat is supplied at constant Pressure. The steps can be summarized
as follows (assuming all processes reversible):
1-2: Adiabatic compression of the gas according to the law PVγ=C. Pressure
increases from P1 to P2. Temperature increases from T1 to T2. Volume
decreases from V1 to V2. Entropy remains constant at S1=S2. isentropic
2-3: Constant pressure heat addition. Pressure remains constant P2=P3.
Temperature increases from T2 to T3. Volume increases from V2 to V3. Entropy
increases from S2 to S3. isobaric
3-4: Adiabatic expansion of the gas according to the law PVγ=C. Pressure
decreases from P3 to P4. Temperature decreases from T3 to T4. Volume
increases from V3 to V4. Entropy remains constant at S3=S4. isentropic
4-1: Constant pressure heat rejection. Pressure remains constant P4=P1.
Temperature decreases from T4 to T1. Volume decreases from V4 to V1.
Entropy decreases from S4 to S1. isobaric
Diesel Cycle
1-2: Adiabatic compression of the gas according to the law PVγ=C. Pressure increases
from P1 to P2. Temperature increases from T1 to T2. Volume decreases from V1 to V2.
Entropy remains constant at S1=S2. isentropic
2-3: Constant pressure heat addition. Pressure remains constant P2=P3. Temperature
increases from T2 to T3. Volume increases from V2 to V3. Entropy increases from S2 to S3.
isobaric
3-4: Adiabatic expansion of the gas according to the law PVγ=C. Pressure decreases
from P3 to P4. Temperature decreases from T3 to T4. Volume increases from V3 to V4.
Entropy remains constant at S3=S4. isentropic
4-1: Constant Volume heat rejection. Volume remains constant, V1=V4. Temperature
decreases from T4 to T1. Pressure decreases from P4 to P1. Entropy decreases from S4 to
S1. isochoric
Constant Volume/ Otto Cycle
This cycle consists of two constant volume processes 2-3 & 4-1, and two adiabatic
processes 1-2 & 3-4. On this cycle, petrol, gas and many types of oil engines work. It is
the standard of comparison for internal combustion engines. Heat is supplied at
constant Volume. The steps can be summarized as follows:
1-2: Adiabatic compression of the gas according to the law PV=C. Pressure
increases from P1 to P2. Temperature increases from T1 to T2. Volume
decreases from V1 to V2. Entropy remains constant at S1=S2. Isentropic
2-3: Constant volume heat addition. Pressure increases from P2 to P3.
Temperature increases from T2 to T3. Volume remains constant V2=V3.
Entropy increases from S2 to S3.
3-4: Adiabatic expansion of the gas according to the law PV=C. Pressure
decreases from P3 to P4. Temperature decreases from T3 to T4. Volume
increases from V3 to V4. Entropy remains constant at S3=S4. Isentropic
4-1: Constant volume heat rejection. Pressure decreases from P4 to P1.
Temperature decreases from T4 to T1. Volume remains constant V4=V1.
Entropy decreases from S4 to S1.
