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This topic is offered for NewMars members who might wish to contribute to a collection of links and text about the efficiency that might be expected (or hoped for) from a propulsion system that depends upon heating of a working fluid.
As I open this topic, I do not know how the Carnot cycle relates to the topic, but I suspect that it applies.
This topic is inspired by work of kbd512 who has looked into (and written about) use of solar energy to heat liquid hydrogen to produce thrust.
This work is similar to the use of nuclear energy in a thermal engine to heat liquid hydrogen to produce thrust.
The difference is that one process uses fusion and the other uses fission.
What I'm hoping will happen with this topic is that NewMars members may attempt to explain how ordinary thermal efficiency (such as a steam engine application) compares to a thrust/propulsion application.
Energy invested in propulsion involves acceleration of mass.
There may be an upper limit to the efficiency with which energy is used to accelerate mass. If there is such a limit, this topic is available for a post in which that limit is defined and for which examples are provided.
I am hoping that NewMars members may find Real Universe examples of testing of the concept, including statements of efficiency of each such example compared to the theoretical maximum that might be calculated.
Because solar energy is essentially unlimited, the skill of the engineer/designer will be demonstrated by thrust achieved from the energy collected from a given area.
If agreeable to everyone, I'd like to suggest a collection area 200 meters on a side, for a total of 40,000 square meters.
If solation per square meter is 1000 watts, this array ** should ** deliver 40 MW to a propulsion device.
The question before the members is: What is the best possible design to generate thrust given this level of power?
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#3: Snippets by Google from Wikipedia about Carnot Theorem
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This post is intended to hold a bit of output from Wikipedia about the Carnot theorem...
Carnot Cycle - Definition, Theorem, Efficiency, Diagrams ...
A Carnot cycle in thermodynamics refers to a theoretical, idealized thermodynamic cycle that represents the maximum possible efficiency for converting heat into work, consisting of four reversible processes: isothermal expansion, adiabatic expansion, isothermal compression, and adiabatic compression, all occurring between two heat reservoirs at different temperatures; it is considered the most efficient way to convert thermal energy into work, and is based on the work of
French physicist Sadi Carnot.
Key points about the Carnot cycle:
Idealized nature:A Carnot cycle is a theoretical concept, meaning it assumes perfect reversibility with no friction or energy loss, and cannot be perfectly replicated in real-world engines.
Four processes:
The cycle consists of four steps:Isothermal expansion: The working fluid expands at a constant high temperature, absorbing heat from the hot reservoir.
Adiabatic expansion: The working fluid further expands without heat exchange, causing its temperature to decrease.
Isothermal compression: The fluid is compressed at a constant low temperature, releasing heat to the cold reservoir.
Adiabatic compression: The fluid is further compressed without heat exchange, causing its temperature to increase back to the initial state.Efficiency:
The Carnot efficiency is calculated based on the temperatures of the hot and cold reservoirs, with higher efficiency achieved by increasing the temperature difference between them.Carnot's theorem:
This theorem states that no heat engine operating between two given temperatures can have a higher efficiency than a Carnot engine operating between the same temperatures.Carnot Cycle & Heat Engines, Maximum Efficiency, & Energy Flow ...
Dec 7, 2017 — so if we decrease the temperature of the cold reservoir and the efficiency goes up in order to increase the efficiency.YouTube ·
The Organic Chemistry TutorCarnot Engine, Carnot Theorem & Carnot Cycle - Working, Efficiency
A Carnot cycle is defined as an ideal reversible closed thermodynamic cycle. Four successive operations are involved: isothermal e...Carnot cycle - Wikipedia
A Carnot cycle is an ideal thermodynamic cycle proposed by French physicist Sadi Carnot in 1824 and expanded upon by others in the...Wikipedia
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Generative AI is experimental.Carnot's theorem states that all heat engines operating between the same two thermal or heat reservoirs cannot have efficiencies greater than a reversible heat engine operating between the same reservoirs.
Carnot's theorem (thermodynamics) - WikipediaWikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Carnot's_theorem_(the...
Carnot Cycle
Carnot Engine, Carnot Theorem & Carnot Cycle - Working ...
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Carnot cycle
In the case of a (hypothetical) liquid hydrogen deep space vessel powered by solar energy, the goal for the engineer/designer is to achieve the maximum possible thrust given a certain amount of solar energy collected by a device that subtends a part of the sphere around the Sun.
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