Abstract

6.1 INTRODUCTION

In thermodynamics, several major devices related to energy conversion are introduced, including the internal combustion engines (ICE), steam turbine, boiler, heat exchanger, and heat pump. Thermal efficiency is a dimensionless performance measure of these devices. In general, thermal efficiency is the fraction of energy addition in the form of heat or thermal energy converted to useful output, as shown in Fig. (6.1), given as a percentage value. The nominally Otto-cycle ICE in automobiles can reach about 30% efficiency at the flywheel. Rankine-cycle steam turbine thermal efficiency can be as high as 41%. In heat pump cycles where heat rejection in the high-temperature side is the useful output, the efficiency is usually defined as the ratio of the rejected heat to the compressor work input, commonly called the coefficient of performance (COP). Refrigeration moves heat from a confined space and dissipates it in the atmosphere. Heat pumps move heat from one spot (often from the atmosphere or underground) to a home of business. Residential refrigerators and air conditioners are based on a vapor-compression mechanical refrigeration cycle. The former generally has a COP over 1 in practice, while the latter may have a COP over 3 to 5. The COP of heat pumps is generally higher than that of their refrigerator counterparts.