Derivation of Clausius Inequality

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the derivation of Clausius' Inequality, emphasizing the necessity of heat rejection in thermodynamic cycles. It explains that for a Carnot engine to function, it must expel heat (dQ_i) to a lower temperature reservoir while performing work (dW_i). The first law of thermodynamics indicates that the work done (ΔW) must equal the heat exchanged (Q), and if ΔW is negative, it signifies work is done on the system. The conclusion asserts that without a lower temperature reservoir, an engine cannot operate cyclically.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the first law of thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with Carnot engines and their operational principles
  • Knowledge of Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law of thermodynamics
  • Basic concepts of heat transfer and thermodynamic cycles
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  • Study the derivation of the second law of thermodynamics
  • Explore the principles of heat engines and their efficiencies
  • Learn about the Carnot cycle and its implications in thermodynamics
  • Investigate real-world applications of Clausius' Inequality in engineering
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Students of thermodynamics, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in the principles governing heat engines and energy conversion processes.

CAF123
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I have been reading about the derivation of Clausius' Inequality and there are a few things I do not understand. I have attached an image of the cycles.

B) shows one carnot engine performing work ##d W_i## per cycle and delivering heat ##d Q_i## per cycle. For ##T'## to remain unchanged, it spits out heat ##d Q_i## as well and this is considered as the source of heat of the principal engine represented by that large circle.

From the first law, ##\Delta W = Q = \sum_i d Q_i##, where ##i## runs from 1 to the number of operating carnot engines connected to the principal engine. My book says that necessarily ##\Delta W = Q \leq 0## otherwise we have a violation of Kelvin-Planck. This means that work is done on the system (I think this makes sense - ΔW was initially regarded as the work done by the engine, but if it is negative then this means work is done on the system by surroundings) and heat flows out of the system. A situation in which an amount of work entering a substance is completely converted into heat is allowed.

I just want to make sure I know what is going on here: Initially we consider the case where heat is flowing into the engine with an equal amount of work being done. This has to happen via the first law since there is no reservoir at a lower temperature with which the engine can spit out heat. This then implies a violation of KP unless we consider both W and Q to be negative, which reverses the physical picture of what was going on initially - work is now being done on the system and heat is flowing out of the engine into the reservoir.

The conclusion is that an engine taking in heat per cycle must always spit out some heat per cycle to a reservoir if it is to do work. Without this reservoir, it cannot exist.

Is this right? Many thanks.
 

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Yes, that is correct. Some of the heat must be rejected to a lower temperature reservoir. Otherwise, the system can't operate in a cycle.
 

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