thermodynamic cycle
Energy conversion loop
A thermodynamic cycle is a sequence of processes that returns a system to its initial state while converting heat into work or vice versa.
The Carnot cycle, Rankine cycle, and Otto cycle describe idealized versions of engines and refrigerators.
The efficiency of any thermodynamic cycle is limited by the temperatures at which heat enters and leaves the system.
- steam enginesBoiler-driven mechanical power sources
- heat engineThermal-to-mechanical energy converter
- enthalpyThermodynamic total heat quantity
- entropyQuantified chaos in systems
- compressorPressure-increasing mechanical device
reversible · turbine · internal combustion engines · heat pumps · closed system · mechanical engineering · work · jet engines · energy conversion · chemical engineering · heat transfer · condenser · closed loop · efficiency · power plants · heat exchanger · coolant · refrigeration
- HVACair conditioner, furnaces, furnace, ductwork, central air
- turbine enginesgas turbine, turbine, jet engine, turboshaft, turboprop
thermodynamic cycleheat death
Universe's final entropic state
thermal equilibrium · dissipation · thermal runaway · passive cooling