What is the Carnot cycle?

Carnot cycle is an idealized thermodynamic cycle that describes the perfect thermal engine. All real thermal engines are imperfect approximation of theoretical perfection embodied by the Carnot Cycle. In the Carnot cycle, all thermal energy is not converted into mechanical work, but a large part is - the largest part allowed by physical law.

Thermal motor produces work from the temperature difference of two tanks. In the combustion engine, one tank is the heat created inside the engine ( source ) and the other is the outer environment ( sink ). The heat generated by the source causes gas expansion inside the cylinder and controls the piston that works. The thermodynamic state of the gas - expanding, but with a constant temperature - is called isothermal .

Finally, the heat source is removed and the gas stops so quickly. If the heat was kept continuously, the cylinder would explode. The gas begins to lose the complete when achieving its maximum volume and no longer works on the piston. This is called Adiabatic expansion gas. Then the piston turns the course, compresses the gas until it starts to achieve maximum temperature and physical resistance due to the heat it contains, and gives the system back to its initial state. Then the cycle begins again.

There are many different types of thermal engines. They all work on the known temperature gradient between the source and the sink. It must be well insulated to maximize the efficiency of thermal motors. In most of the engines used, gas remains during the gas cycle, but in steam machines there is a phase change between the liquid and the gas.

In the perfect Carnot cycle, all four steps occur very slowly to minimize entropy or thermodynamic irreversibility, created by the process. In fact, the steps are progressing Quickly and entropy is generated, which means that the cycle cannot continue forever. The walls of the cylinder degrade, the heat from the interior of the engine is lostThe Carnot cycle can be triggered in the opposite environment and create a refrigerator.