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Re: [Phys-L] Carnot (?) efficiency of non-Carnot cycles



The point remains that a Stirling cycle is quite
different from a Carnot cycle. It is not however
an "arbitrary" cycle.
a) Like a Carnot cycle, it is reversible.
b) Also like a Carnot cycle, it has a single
T(hot) and a single T(cold).

I think the preceding is the crux of the problem. Please explain in detail how you will accomplish a reversible isochoric process without a sequence of infinitesimally different temperature reservoirs.

So I think from an earlier message we do need to somehow average over each of these different temperature reservoirs in some clever fashion, perhaps tiling the Stirling cycle with a set of Carnot cycles?

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Carl E Mungan, Assoc Prof of Physics 410-293-6680 (O) -3729 (F)
Naval Academy Stop 9c, 572C Holloway Rd, Annapolis MD 21402-1363
mailto:mungan@usna.edu http://usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/