In: Physics
Steam locomotives have an efficiency of 18.0% and operate with a hot steam temperature of 425°C.
(a) What would the cold reservoir temperature (in °C) be if this were a Carnot engine? °C
(b) What would the maximum efficiency of this steam engine be if its cold reservoir temperature were 150°C? %
Part (a)
Temperature of the hot steam = Th = 425 oC = 425 + 273 K = 698 K
Temperature of the cold reservoir = Tc
Efficiency of the steam locomotive = = 18% = 0.18
The steam locomotive is considered as a carnot engine therefore,
Tc = 572 K
Tc = 572 - 273 oC
Tc = 299 oC
Part (b)
Temperature of the hot steam = Th = 425 oC = 425 + 273 K = 698 K
Temperature of the cold reservoir = Tc = 150 oC = 150 + 273 K = 423 K
Maximum efficiency of the steam locomotive = max
Maximum efficiency is equal to the carnot efficiency.
max = 0.394
max = 39.4%
a) Cold reservoir temperature if the steam locomotive were a carnot engine = 299 oC
b) Maximum efficiency of the steam engine if it's cold reservoir temperature were 150 oC = 39.4%