Teaching Reitlinger Cycles To Improve Students’ Knowledge And Comprehension Of Thermodynamics

<- Back to X. Philosophy of Research and Education Vol.2

Cite the paper

Author: Amelia Carolina Sparavigna

ABSTRACT. The second law of thermodynamics puts a limit on the thermal efficiency of heat engines. This limit value is the efficiency of the ideal reversible engine represented by the Carnot cycle. During the lectures on physics, the emphasis on this cycle is generally so strong that students could be induced to consider the Carnot cycle as the only cycle having the best thermal efficiency. In fact, an entire class of cycles exists possessing the same maximum efficiency: this class is that of the regenerative Reitlinger cycles. Here we propose to teach also these cycles to the engineering students of physics classes, to improve their knowledge and comprehension of thermodynamics.

Keywords: thermodynamics, thermodynamic cycles, regenerative cycles, thermal efficiency

DOI 10.13140/RG.2.1.3273.5764

References

[1] J.R. Senft, Mechanical Efficiency of Heat Engines, Cambridge University Press, 2007.

[2] I. Kolin, The Evolution of the Heat Engine, Longman, 1972.

[3] J.R. Senft, An Introduction to Stirling Engines, Moriya Press, 1993.

[4] J. Reitlinger, Uber Kreisprozesse zwischen zwei isothermen. Z. Ost. Ing. Arch. Ver. 1876.

[5] G. Walker, Cryocoolers, Part 1: Fundamentals, Plenum Press 1983.

[6] I. Kolin, S. Koscak-Kolin, M. Golub, Geothermal Electricity Production by means of the Low Temperature Difference Stirling Engine, Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2000, Kyushu – Tohoku, Japan, May 28 – June 10, 2000 , 3199-3203.

[7] J.Selwin Rajadurai, Thermodynamics and Thermal Engineering, New Age International, 2003.

[8] P. Mazzoldi, M. Nigro, C. Voci, Fisica, S.E.S. 1991.

Mechanics, Materials Science & Engineering Journal by Magnolithe GmbH is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at www.mmse.xyz.