Carnot Cycle

A French engineer Sadi Carnot was the first to introduce the idea of reversible cycle. From the second law, it has been observed that the efficiency of a heat engine is less than unity. If the efficiency of heat engine is less than unity, what is the maximum efficiency of a heat engine? This can be answered by considering the Carnot cycle. The concept of carnot cycle is executed via Carnot engine.

Carnot Engine

Let us consider the operation of a hypothetical engine which employs the Carnot cycle. The Carnot engine consists of a cylinder-piston assembly in which a certain amount of gas(working fluid) is enclosed. Refer to Figure 18.1 representing the Carnot cycle.

Figure 18.1