pianoparadise said:I am wondering why water is used instead of air for the cold temperature source for a thermo cycle. My guess is the higher specific heat, which means the condenser unit can be smaller, and the mass flow rate less, which reduces the overall cost.
Are there any other reasons to choose water over air?
In vehicles water cooling is used to maintain more stable engine temperature than it`s possible with air cooling.This is important for engine efficiency.Are there any other reasons to choose water over air?
Water and air are both commonly used as cold reservoirs in thermodynamic cycles. The main difference between the two is their specific heat capacity. Water has a much higher specific heat capacity than air, meaning it can absorb more heat per unit mass. This makes water a more efficient and effective cold reservoir compared to air.
The choice of cold reservoir can have a significant impact on the efficiency of a thermodynamic cycle. As mentioned before, water has a higher specific heat capacity, so it is able to absorb more heat and maintain a lower temperature compared to air. This results in a higher efficiency for cycles that use water as the cold reservoir.
Yes, there are other factors that should be considered when choosing a cold reservoir for a thermodynamic cycle. These include availability, cost, and environmental impact. Water is a commonly available and relatively inexpensive option, but it may not be suitable in all situations due to its environmental impact.
Power plants often use water as the cold reservoir due to its high specific heat capacity and availability. In power plants, the hot reservoir is typically steam from the combustion of fuel. The steam is then condensed back into liquid form using a cold reservoir, which is then recycled back into the system. Water's high specific heat capacity allows it to efficiently absorb the heat and maintain a low temperature, making it an ideal choice for this process.
While water is generally the preferred choice for a cold reservoir, there are some situations where air may be a better option. For example, in refrigeration systems, air may be used as the cold reservoir to cool the refrigerant. This is because air is easier to manipulate and control compared to water. Additionally, in cases where water is not readily available, air may be used as an alternative.