Transforming Thermodynamic Work into

Mechanical Work Using a Heat Engine

Matt Eigyson C. Onia, Constancio P. Orolfo III., and Francisco V. Querubin III
University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines
What is a heat engine? ● A system that transforms thermal energy to
do mechanical work
● The engine absorbs heat Qh from a heat
source or a hot reservoir to do work W and
disposes of the excess heat Qc into a heat
sink or a cold reservoir
● Heat engines need a working substance
that it will carry through a cycle. In this
experiment the substance will be the air in
the chamber.
Objectives
● Calculate the net thermodynamic work
done in a heat engine cycle.
● Establish the connection between the net
thermodynamic work done in a heat
engine cycle and the mechanical work
done by a heat engine in lifting a mass.
Ideal Ericsson Cycle ● A closed thermodynamic cycle used for
heat engines
● Named after inventor John Ericsson who
designed and built many unique heat
engines based on various thermodynamic
cycles
● Can be visualized through a PV diagram
Ideal Ericsson Cycle ● A closed thermodynamic cycle used for
heat engines
● Named after inventor John Ericsson who
designed and built many unique heat
engines based on various thermodynamic
cycles
● Can be visualized through a PV diagram
Ideal Ericsson Cycle Process A -> B: Isothermal compression

Process B -> C: Isobaric heat addition

Process C -> D: Isothermal expansion

Process D -> A: Isobaric heat removal

Isothermal - thermodynamic process wherein the

temperature in the system remains constant

Isobaric - thermodynamic process wherein the

pressure in the system remains constant
 Process A -> B: Isothermal compression
Ideal Ericsson Cycle The compression space is assumed to be
intercooled, so the gas undergoes isothermal
compression. The compressed air flows into a
storage tank at constant pressure. In the ideal
cycle, there is no heat transfer across the tank
walls.
Ideal Ericsson Cycle Process B -> C: Isobaric heat addition.

From the tank, the compressed air flows

through the regenerator and picks up heat at a
high constant-pressure on the way to the
heated power-cylinder.
Ideal Ericsson Cycle Process C -> D: Isothermal expansion

The power-cylinder expansion-space is heated

externally, and the gas undergoes isothermal
expansion.
Ideal Ericsson Cycle Process D -> A: Isobaric heat removal

Before the air is released as exhaust, it is

passed back through the regenerator, thus
cooling the gas at a low constant pressure,
and heating the regenerator for the next cycle.
Ideal Ericsson Cycle
Experimental Setup
Results Table W1. Thermodynamic work Done by
the Gas

Transition Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

A to B -2.54E-01 -4.26E-01 -5.13E-01
B to C 2.55E+00 2.21E+00 2.46E+00
C to D 2.53E-01 1.69E-01 1.69E-01
D to A -2.52E+00 -1.93E+00 -2.10E+00
One Cycle 2.56E-02 1.96E-02 1.75E-02
Average 2.09E-02

Table W2. Average Thermodynamic Work

and Mechanical Work for each Cycle

Thermodynamic work (J) Mechanical Work (J) Percent difference

10.04
0.0209 0.0232 %
Results Table W1. Thermodynamic work Done by
the Gas

Transition Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

A to B -2.54E-01 -4.26E-01 -5.13E-01
B to C 2.55E+00 2.21E+00 2.46E+00
C to D 2.53E-01 1.69E-01 1.69E-01
D to A -2.52E+00 -1.93E+00 -2.10E+00
One Cycle 2.56E-02 1.96E-02 1.75E-02
Average 2.09E-02

Table W2. Average Thermodynamic Work

and Mechanical Work for each Cycle

Thermodynamic work (J) Mechanical Work (J) Percent difference

10.04
0.0209 0.0232 %
 Table W2. Average Thermodynamic Work
Results and Mechanical Work for each Cycle

Thermodynamic work (J) Mechanical Work (J) Percent difference

10.04
0.0209 0.0232 %

Deviation between the thermodynamic and

mechanical work is

● Primarily due to the inefficiency of heat

engines (never at 100%)
● Partly due to sources of error in the
experiment
Possible Sources of ● Gas leaking from the system such as
from the piston
Error ● Force of drag from movement of the
piston through air
● Friction within the piston system for
the isothermal process
● A faulty pressure sensor resulting in
wrong pressure measurements
● Wrong or misreported mass of the
object/weight
● Possible human errors that could
have been done in the experiment
such as wrong height measurements.
Conclusions ● The heat engine uses the
thermodynamic cycle to lift the mass.
The net thermodynamic work done in
a heat engine cycle manifested in the
heat energy is converted to
mechanical energy that in turn
generates mechanical work.

● The experiment yielded a result of a

net thermodynamic and mechanical
work of 0.0209 joules and 0.0232
joules, respectively. In addition, a
deviation of 10.04% was noted.
Conclusions ● Deviation is primarily due to
inefficiency of the heat engine and
partly due to several possible sources
of error in the experiment

● It is recommended to ensure that the

set-up provides security against gas
leaks and piston system friction as
well as including better measurement
and sensor systems.
References [1] S. J. Ling, J. Sanny, and W. Moebs, University
Physics Volume 2 (Rice University, Texas, 2018).
[2] H. D. Young, and R. Freedman, University
Physics with Modern Physics 14th Edition
(Pearson Education Inc., 2016).
[3] R. D. Knight, Physics for Scientists and
Engineers A Strategic Approach 4th Edition with
Modern Physics (Pearson Education Inc.,
2017).