Heat Engine Efficiency: How Ice Water Affects Performance

Thread starter WazapMe
Start date Mar 26, 2022
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Efficiency Engine Engine efficiency Heat Heat engine Ice performance Water

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Mixing ice water with hot water can bring the two reservoirs closer to the same temperature, which impacts the mechanical and thermodynamic efficiency of a heat engine. The Carnot efficiency, defined by the temperature difference between the hot and cold reservoirs, will decrease if the temperatures are too similar. This reduction in temperature difference results in lower ideal efficiency, as the Carnot efficiency is maximized when the temperature difference is greatest. Understanding the expression for Carnot efficiency is crucial for analyzing these changes. Overall, the efficiency of a heat engine is significantly influenced by the temperature of its reservoirs.

Mar 26, 2022

WazapMe

Thread moved from the technical forums to the schoolwork forums

Consider mixing ice water with the hot water and vice versa so that the two reservoirs are closer to the same temperature. What will happen to the mechanical/thermodynamic efficiency and ideal Carnot efficiency of a heat engine?

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Mar 26, 2022

Herman Trivilino

Science Advisor

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Is this a homework question? Are you familiar with the expression for the Carnot efficiency of an engine?

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