Otto Cycle Engine Homework: Total Work & Efficiency Calculation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the total work and efficiency of a six-cylinder Otto-cycle engine with a specified compression ratio and other parameters. Participants express confusion about how to relate work done in one cycle to engine efficiency and the heat exchanged during the process. There are attempts to apply thermodynamic principles, such as the adiabatic process and the ideal gas law, but some participants feel they lack necessary information, particularly regarding the number of moles of gas. Comparisons to Carnot-cycle efficiency are also mentioned, with a noted expectation that the Otto cycle's efficiency should be lower. Overall, the main challenge lies in correctly applying thermodynamic equations to derive the required values.
Recipi
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



"A car has a six-cylinder Otto-cycle engine with compression ratio r = 10.6.

The diameter of each cylinder is 82.5 mm.

The distance that the piston moves during the compression stroke (see fig. 1) is 86.4 mm.

The initial pressure of the air-fuel mixture (at point a in fig. 2) is 8.50 x 10^4 Pa and the initial temperature is 300K (the same as the outside air).

Assume that 200 J of heat is added to each cylinder in each cycle by the burning petrol and that the gas has CV = 20.5 J.mol/K and γ = 1.40."

RK92bqw.png


(a) By considering the efficiency of the engine, calculate
(i) the total work done in one cycle in each cylinder of the engine, and
(ii) the heat released when the gas is cooled to the temperature of the air outside.

(b) Calculate the volume of the air-fuel mixture at point a in the cycle.

(c) Calculate the pressure, volume, and the temperature of the gas at points b, c, and d in the cycle. In a pV-diagram, show numerical values of p, V and T for each of the four states.

(d) Compare the efficiency of this engine with the efficiency of a Carnot-cycle engine operating between the same maximum and minimum temperatures

The Attempt at a Solution


(a)(i) has me completely baffled. I understand that the work is the area bounded by the two adiabats and the vertical isochors, but I don't see how this is related to the efficiency if η = 1 - r1-γ = 1 - (|QC| / QH).

That relation gives me a value for (a)(ii) of |QC| = QH*r1-γ - 200*10.6-0.4 = 77.8 J, though; is this on the right lines?

(b) I tried to use the relationship for an adiabatic process TVγ-1 = constant, so:
Ta(rV)γ-1 = TbVγ-1
However, the 'V' terms just cancel here. I then considered the ideal gas equation V=nRT/P, but there is no value for the number of moles of working substance.

(c) I think I will be able to do on my own once I am pointed in the right direction for (b); right now I feel like I am missing information I need to be able to do the question, but filling in the first few gaps should help me enough.

(d) Again, once I actually have the value the maximum temperature I can use the Carnot efficiency η = 1 - TC/TH to compare the value of η ≈ 0.611 for this Otto cycle. I suspect it should be lower given the nature of the Carnot engine?

My biggest problem with thermodynamics at the moment is a massive unfamiliarity with many of the key relations between variables; I have a nagging feeling I'm either overlooking the obvious or am unable to find the relationship that would make the questions tractable in my notes.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I've had more of a look at (a)(i), and I've gotten a bit further, although unless I can use the efficiency to get past the problem I've encountered in my last line, I'm not sure I've done it the way the question wants (if it's right at all)?

8RV2wJY.gif


The issue now seems to be finding Td?

Edit: Okay, I think I got the efficiency into the picture, but the value I come out with seems ridiculous; 1320J of work for 200J heat input seems all kinds of wrong?

PzliSci.gif
 
Last edited:
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'
TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
Thread 'Correct statement about a reservoir with an outlet pipe'
The answer to this question is statements (ii) and (iv) are correct. (i) This is FALSE because the speed of water in the tap is greater than speed at the water surface (ii) I don't even understand this statement. What does the "seal" part have to do with water flowing out? Won't the water still flow out through the tap until the tank is empty whether the reservoir is sealed or not? (iii) In my opinion, this statement would be correct. Increasing the gravitational potential energy of the...
Back
Top