How Much Water Can a 1KW Carnot Engine Freeze in 5 Minutes?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a Carnot engine operating in a refrigeration context, specifically calculating the mass of water that can be frozen using a 1KW electric motor with a specified efficiency. The scenario includes parameters such as the thermal sink temperature and the latent heat of water.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the Carnot efficiency formula and relates it to the energy calculations needed for freezing water, expressing confusion about integrating efficiency with latent heat and time. Other participants clarify the distinction between motor efficiency and Carnot efficiency, while one participant calculates energy transferred and questions if they are on the right track.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the efficiency and energy transfer calculations. Some guidance has been provided regarding the correct application of efficiencies, but no consensus or resolution has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

The problem is constrained by the assumptions of ideal conditions and specific parameters such as the thermal sink temperature and the latent heat of water. The original poster expresses uncertainty about how to combine various formulas and concepts effectively.

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Homework Statement
In a well-insulated refrigeration unit, a Carnot engine using an ideal gas is driven by a 1KW electric motor (80% efficient) to freeze water. Assuming that the temperature of the thermal sink is 20 °C, calculate the mass of water frozen in 5 minutes. Take the latent heat of water as 3.4 x 105 JKg-1
Relevant Equations
ncarnot = 1 -Qout/Qin = 1 - TL/TH
m = Q/L
W=Pt
Homework Statement: In a well-insulated refrigeration unit, a Carnot engine using an ideal gas is driven by a 1KW electric motor (80% efficient) to freeze water. Assuming that the temperature of the thermal sink is 20 °C, calculate the mass of water frozen in 5 minutes. Take the latent heat of water as 3.4 x 105 JKg-1
Homework Equations: ncarnot = 1 -Qout/Qin = 1 - TL/TH
m = Q/L
W=Pt

I've been stuck on this question for a long time ; here is what i have tried so far:

In a well-insulated refrigeration unit, a Carnot engine using an ideal gas is driven by a 1KW electric motor (80% efficient) to freeze water. Assuming that the temperature of the thermal sink is 20 °C, calculate the mass of water frozen in 5 minutes. Take the latent heat of water as 3.4 x 105 JKg-1

Formula for thermal efficiency:

ncarnot = 1 -Qout/Qin = 1 - TL/THQin i persume is given (20 °C) and ncarnot= 0.8 ; rearranging the formula you get Qout =100 °C

Wnet,out = Qout - Qin; Therefore Wnet,out = 80

at this point I'm lost, i know i need to find Q to fit into the formula m = Q/L as latent heat of water is given, but how do i combine the ncarnot with the latent heat formula+ time. Help will be much appreciated

The answer is supposed to be 9.6 kg
 
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80% is the motor efficiency, not the Carnot cycle efficiency.
 
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Ah ok thank you for your reply, so i use formula Output/input = 0.8, input into motor is 1000 W therefore output = 800 W

To work out energy transferred W=P x T ; W = 800 x (5minutes x 60) = 240000J

plug that into m= Q/L i get 0.71 kg.

Am i on the right track??
 
Heat is removed from the water to form ice at the cold reservoir temperature of 0 C and transferred to the ideal gas at 0 C;, and a greater amount of heat is rejected from the ideal gas to the hot reservoir (sink) at 20 C. The difference between these two amounts of heat is the work done.
 

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