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This question has been in the back of my mind for a while. In short, is having a phase change between liquid and vapor more desirable for a heat engine or for a heat pump?
Clearly, having a large area enclosed by the loop in a P-V diagram increased the amount of work in the cycle, so anything that enlargens that area would be desirable for a heat engine and undesirable for a heat pump or refrigerator. So, does a liquid-vapor phase change within the cycle tend to increase or decrease this area -- or is there no general answer?
Clearly, having a large area enclosed by the loop in a P-V diagram increased the amount of work in the cycle, so anything that enlargens that area would be desirable for a heat engine and undesirable for a heat pump or refrigerator. So, does a liquid-vapor phase change within the cycle tend to increase or decrease this area -- or is there no general answer?