Lecture 3

GAS
POWER
CYCLES
Lecture slides by
Prasad Deshpande
The ideal cycles are internally reversible, but, unlike the Carnot cycle, they are not
necessarily externally reversible.
Therefore, the thermal efficiency of an ideal cycle, in general, is less than that of a
totally reversible cycle operating between the same temperature limits.
However, it is still considerably higher than the thermal efficiency of an actual cycle
because of the idealizations utilized.
2
The idealizations and simplifications in the
analysis of power cycles:
1. The cycle does not involve any friction.
Therefore, the working fluid does not
experience any pressure drop as it flows in
pipes or devices such as heat exchangers.
2. All expansion and compression processes
take place in a quasi-equilibrium manner.
3. The pipes connecting the various
components of a system are well
insulated, and heat transfer through them
is negligible.
On a T-s diagram, the ratio of the

area enclosed by the cyclic curve to
the area under the heat-addition
process curve represents the thermal
efficiency of the cycle.
Any modification that increases the

ratio of these two areas will also
increase the thermal efficiency of the
cycle.
3
THE CARNOT CYCLE AND ITS
VALUE IN ENGINEERING
The Carnot cycle is composed of four totally reversible
processes: isothermal heat addition, isentropic
expansion, isothermal heat rejection, and isentropic
compression.
For both ideal and actual cycles: Thermal efficiency
increases with an increase in the average temperature at
which heat is supplied to the system or with a decrease
in the average temperature at which heat is rejected
from the system.
A steady-flow Carnot engine.
4
Any fluid may be used to operate the Carnot cycle which
is performed in an engine cylinder the head of which is
supposed alternatively to be perfect conductor or a perfect
insulator of a heat. Heat is caused to flow into the cylinder
by the application of high temperature energy source to
the cylinder head during expansion, and to flow from the
cylinder by the application of a lower temperature energy
source to the head during compression.
5
Following are the four stages of Carnot cycle :
Stage 1. (Process 1-2). Hot energy source is applied. Heat

Qin is taken in whilst the fluid expands isothermally and
reversibly at constant high temperature T1.
Stage 2. (Process 2-3). The cylinder becomes a perfect
insulator so that no heat flow takes place. The fluid expands
adiabatically and reversibly whilst temperature falls from T2
to T3.
Stage 3. (Process 3-4). Cold energy source is applied. Heat
Qout flows from the fluid whilst it is compressed
isothermally and reversibly at constant lower temperature T3.
Stage 4. (Process 4-1). Cylinder head becomes a perfect
insulator so that no heat flow occurs. The compression is
continued adiabatically and reversibly during which
temperature is raised from T4 to T1.
The work delivered from the system during the cycle is

represented by the enclosed area of the cycle.
6
Derivation of the
Efficiency of the
Carnot Cycle
7
AN OVERVIEW OF RECIPROCATING ENGINES
Compression ratio
• Spark-ignition (SI) engines
• Compression-ignition (CI) engines
8
AIR-STANDARD ASSUMPTIONS
Air-standard assumptions:
1. The working fluid is air, which
continuously circulates in a closed loop
and always behaves as an ideal gas.
2. All the processes that make up the
cycle are internally reversible.
3. The combustion process is replaced by
a heat-addition process from an
external source.
4. The exhaust process is replaced by a
heat-rejection process that restores the
working fluid to its initial state.
Cold-air-standard assumptions: When the working fluid is considered

to be air with constant specific heats at room temperature (25°C).
Air-standard cycle: A cycle for which the air-standard assumptions are
applicable. 9
Mean effective pressure
The mean effective pressure can be used as

a parameter to compare the performances of
reciprocating engines of equal size.
The engine with a larger value of MEP

delivers more net work per cycle and thus
performs better.
10
Task for you
 Find out what are the assumptions made for

describing the working of the Carnot engine.
 Find out why the Carnot cycle cannot be performed

in practice.
 Can you define mean effective pressure? What is

MEP used for?
11

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GAS

On a T-s diagram, the ratio of the

Any modification that increases the

A steady-flow Carnot engine.

Stage 1. (Process 1-2). Hot energy source is applied. Heat

The work delivered from the system during the cycle is

Cold-air-standard assumptions: When the working fluid is considered

The mean effective pressure can be used as

The engine with a larger value of MEP

 Find out what are the assumptions made for

 Find out why the Carnot cycle cannot be performed

 Can you define mean effective pressure? What is

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