Thermo reversible heat engines physics question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem related to reversible heat engines operating in series, specifically focusing on calculating the heat supplied to the second engine, the heat taken from the source, and the work done by each engine. The context includes applied thermodynamics concepts and equations.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a question from a textbook about two reversible heat engines and shares their partial solution for the temperature at which heat is supplied to the second engine.
  • Another participant provides equations for efficiency and energy conservation, calculating work done and total heat from the source, but questions the temperature calculation of 208.7°C.
  • A subsequent post corrects an earlier calculation, leading to a different total heat input and work done for each engine, while still questioning the temperature derived by the first participant.
  • Another participant shares their method for arriving at the temperature of 208.66°C using a different approach involving efficiency equations and temperature conversions.
  • Further clarification is provided regarding the relationship between work and heat input, with a participant expressing gratitude for the insights gained from the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the calculations related to the heat supplied to the second engine and the total heat from the source. There is no consensus on the correct values for all parts of the problem, and multiple approaches are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on various assumptions regarding the efficiency of the engines and the temperatures involved, leading to different interpretations and calculations. Some calculations depend on the conversion of temperatures to Kelvin, and there are unresolved steps in the mathematical reasoning.

mcewendavid
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I am having trouble with this question...It is from "applied thermodynamics for engineering technologists" by Eastop (Q5.2 if anyone has it)...

The Question:
Two reversible heat engines operate in series between a source at 527°C and a sink at 17°C. If the engines have equal efficiencies and the first rejects 400kJ to the second, calculate:
(i) the temp at which heat is supplied to the 2nd engine ALL DONE :-) =208.7°C
(ii) The heat taken from the source
(iii) The work done by each engine

I have done part (i) and I know it's right but I have no idea what equations to use for the next 2 parts because heat and work are dependent on each other so I don't understand how I can find one without the other...

Thankyou in advance
Dave :-)
 
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\eta_{rev}=1-\frac{T_L}{T_H}[/itex]<br /> <br /> \eta_{actual}=\frac{W}{Q_{in}}[/itex]&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Q_{in}=W+Q_{out}[/itex] (1st law)&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; \eta_{rev}=1-\frac{T_L}{T_H}=.319=\eta_{actual}=\frac{W}{Q_{in}}[/itex]&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; \frac{Q_{1_{in}}}{400}-.319=1[/itex]&amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;gt; Using the above formulas, I ended up with the work for each engine at 127.6kJ. Total heat from the source 527.6kJ. However, I took the mid resovoir temp to be 272 deg C, the average of the high and low. Can you tell me how you got 208.7?
 
\eta_{rev}=1-\frac{T_L}{T_H}[/itex]<br /> <br /> \eta_{actual}=\frac{W}{Q_{in}}[/itex]&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Q_{in}=W+Q_{out}[/itex] (1st law)&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; \eta_{rev}=1-\frac{T_L}{T_H}=.319=\eta_{actual}=\frac{W}{Q_{in}}[/itex]&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; Q_{in}=W+Q_{out}-----&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Q_{in}-W=400kJ ---&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;1-.319=\frac{400}{Q_{in}}[/itex]&amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;gt; I MESSED my first response up. Using the above formulas, I ended up with the work for each engine at 187.4kJ. Total heat from the source 587.4kJ. However, I took the mid resovoir temp to be 272 deg C, the average of the high and low. Can you tell me how you got 208.7?
 
The answer in the book is 208.7 Deg C...but I got it using:-

\eta = 1-(T2/T1)

1 - (T2/T3) = 1 - (T3/T1)

1 - (800/T3) = 1 - (T3/290) - Figures converted to Kelvin

232000 = T3^{}2

T3 = 481.66K = 208.66 Deg C
 
Ohh...derrr. My bad (I guess I've been paying more attention to the latex than the math). One more time.

\eta_{rev}=1-\frac{T_L}{T_H}=1-\frac{481.7K}{800K}=.398=\eta_{actual}=\frac{W}{Q_{in}}[/itex]<br /> <br /> Q_{in}=W+Q_{out}-----&amp;gt;Q_{in}-W=400kJ ---&amp;gt;1-.398=\frac{400kJ}{Q_{in}}[/itex]&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Q_{Total Input}=664.5kJ[/itex]&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; W_{1}=664.5kJ-400kJ=264.5kJ[/itex]&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; W_{2}=400kJ*.398=159.2kJ[/itex]
 
Last edited:
omg you're a champion!

I totally didnt get the -W = 1 - 0.398 by using the T3 from part one
Now it just all fits together...it's great

Thankyou so much :-)
 

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