How does an engine work? Which thermodynamic cycle does it follow? Well, a Carnot cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that gives us the best possible efficiency. It involves two reversible isothermal transitions and two reversible adiabatic transitions. But what exactly is a Carnot engine? Let's study more about it below. Suggested Videos Carnot Engine Principles Carnot principles are only for cyclic devices such as heat engines, which state that: The efficiency of an irreversible heat engine is always lower than the efficiency of a reversible one operating between the same two tanks. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay The efficiency of all reversible heat engines operating between the same two tanks is the same. To increase the thermal efficiency of a gas turbine it is necessary to increase the temperature of the combustion chamber. For example, turbine blades cannot withstand high-temperature gas and lead to early fatigue. This theorem states that no engine operating between two given temperatures can be more efficient than a reversible engine operating between the same two temperatures and that all reversible engines operating between the same two temperatures have the same efficiency, whatever the working substance. . According to Carnot's theorem, the reversible engine will always have a higher efficiency than the irreversible one. Let the reversible heat engine run on a reverse cycle so that it works like a heat pump (or refrigerator). Suppose that the work input into this heat pump comes from the work produced by the irreversible motor. If you look at it closely, you will see that the net exchange of energy in the sink This is a violation of the Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law of thermodynamics since there is no heat loss in a sink, making it a perpetual motion machine of the second type. This means that our initial hypothesis was false, thus elegantly proving that Carnot's theorem is correct. The Carnot cycle is reversible and represents the upper limit of the efficiency of an engine cycle. Practical engine cycles are irreversible and therefore have an inherently lower efficiency than the Carnot efficiency when operating at the same temperatures. One of the factors that determine efficiency is the addition of working fluid into the cycle and its removal. The Carnot cycle achieves maximum efficiency because all the heat is added to the working fluid at the maximum temperature. The efficiency of the Carnot cycle The Carnot cycle is reversible and represents the upper limit of the efficiency of an engine cycle. Practical engine cycles are irreversible and therefore have an inherently lower efficiency than the Carnot efficiency when operating at the same temperatures. One of the factors that determine efficiency is the addition of working fluid into the cycle and its removal. The Carnot cycle achieves maximum efficiency because all the heat is added to the working fluid at the maximum temperature. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Carnot Cycle The Carnot engine cycle when acting as a heat engine consists of the following phases: Reversible isothermal expansion of gas to "hot" temperature. Isentropic (reversible adiabatic) expansion of the gas. Reversible isothermal gas compression at "cold" temperature. Isentropic gas compression.