What is Carnot Cycle or Heat Engine?

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Let us discuss what the Carnot Cycle is? We have already discussed some basic thermodynamic processes and their applications. Thermodynamics is one of the most researched topics in the field of Mechanical Engineering. The field of thermodynamics provides you with extensive knowledge about Heat and Mass, Power Plants, I.C Engines and related applications.

The Carnot Cycle is the theoretical ideal thermodynamic cycle proposed by French Scientist. However, it is not an actual thermodynamic cycle, but it provides an upper limit on the efficiency that any classical thermodynamic engine can achieve. In other words, the Carnot cycle is a hypothetical heat engine which can provide maximum efficiency between the specified temp range. The Carnot cycle is an ideal reversible closed cycle in there are four thermodynamic processes are involved, i.e. isothermal expansion, adiabatic expansion, isothermal compression and adiabatic compression. 

These four processes build a closed thermodynamic cycle, the P-V diagram of the cycle is shown in the above figure: 1-2 and 3-4 are the constant temp processes, and 2-3 and 4-1 are adiabatic processes means no heat exchange. 

Isothermal Expansion: Heat is transferred at a constant temp and the gas is allowed to expand due to which the pressure drops from point p1 to p2, but the temp remains the same because it has thermal contact. Thus the gas can expand within the system so-called as Isothermal expansion.

Adiabatic Expansion: As the gas is in thermal contact, no exchange of heat takes place, but the pressure drop from point p2 to p3, as the gas continues to expand. The work is done the system and losses the internal energy equal to the amount of work done. 

Isothermal Compression: Now the gas comes in contact with low temp reservoir and the surroundings do work on the gas; thus, the pressure rise from p3 to p4. However, there is no exchange of heat, so the temp remains constant. 

Adiabatic Compression: In this case, the system come back to its ideal state by work, increases the internal energy of the system and causing the temp to rise without any exchange of heat in the process. Due to the effect of compression, the pressure of the gas rises up from p4 to p1. 

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