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What is the maximum efficiency possible in an energy conversion process that isn't limited by the second law of thermodynamics?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
1) Any physical process is subject to the Second Law. Assuming otherwise would not be a realistic description of our Universe.
2) The maximum possible efficiency is a factor of 1 (equivalent to 100%). If some energy is wasted, as is usually the case, the actual amount will be somewhat less.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Which engine wastes the most energy?
I would say, heat engine on earth would waste the most energy since it is always limited by thermodynamic efficiency to have some loss. In general, lower the temperature difference will resulted to lower the efficiency, a simple steam engine for a train would be of lower efficiency than a internal combustion engine and lower than complex high pressure steam turbine and is probably the lowest engine efficiency in commercial scale.
What term is defined as the study of energy and its tronsformations?
Physics is the general term used for the discipline that studies and models the types of energy and energy sources. But there are specific labels for specific kinds of energy studies. These in include, but are not limited to, nuclear physics, sub-atomic physics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, mechanics, astrophysics, physical chemistry, and so on. The definition of physics is "...the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. " [Dictionary]
Can a given amount of mechanical energy be converted into heat energy?
In any heat engine there is always some rejection of heat to the environment. Thus an internal combustion engine, as in a car, rejects heat in its exhaust gases, and also loses heat into its radiator. An aircraft jet engine rejects heat at its exhaust, it is impractical to extract more energy from this. In a power plant the steam turbine rejects heat to its condenser in order to condense the exhaust steam to water for feeding back to the boilers.
How is energy lost from power stations?
A generator at a power station might produce electricity with a voltage of 25,000V and a current of 8,000A. Such a large current would cause the cables of the National Grid to get hot because of the heating effect of current. Energy would then be lost as heat to the atmosphere and by the time that the electricity had traveled from the power station through the cables to the towns and factories, much of the original energy would be lost. To reduce the energy loss, a step up transformer at the power station is used to raise the voltage to 400,000V. This is 16 times the input voltage of 25,000V.The Energy Supply Chain Much of the energy content of the available energy sources is wasted by inefficiencies the energy conversion and distribution processes. Considering domestic electric lighting as a typical example, less than 1% of the energy consumed to provide the electricity is ultimately converted into light energy. The other 99% is wasted in the supply chain. Using conventional fossil fuelled generating plant, losses accumulate as follows: 10% of the energy content of the fuel is lost in combustion and only 90% of the calorific content is transferred to the steam. The steam turbine efficiency in converting the energy content of the steam into mechanical energy is limited to about 40%. (Carnot's Efficiency Law) The rotary electrical generator is very efficient by comparison.The conversion efficiency of a large machine can be as high as 98% or 99%. Transmission of the electrical energy over the distribution grid between the power station and the consumer results in a distribution loss of 10% mainly due to the resistance of the electrical cables. Further energy is lost due to the energy conversion efficiency of the end user's appliance. Incandescent lighting is particularly inefficient converting only 2% of the electrical energy into light. The losses are considered in more detail below. Generating Efficiency Electric power plant efficiency η is defined as the ratio between the useful electricity output from the generating unit, in a specific time, and the energy value of the energy source supplied to the unit in the same time period. For electricity generation based on steam turbines 65% of all prime energy is wasted as heat. The maximum theoretical energy efficiency is defined in more detail by the Rankine cycle. For modern practical systems this is about 40% but less for older generating plant. The efficiency falls still further if fuels with lower energy content such as biomass are used to supply the plant. Efficiency Comparisons
What is the function of a space heater?
A space heater is basically used to warm up a finite space. Instead of using a heating unit or a furnace to warm up the entire house, a space heater heats a limited area. The result is a lower cost and more efficiency.
How electricity is made and its efficiency?
High-voltage direct-current (HVDC) technology is used for greater efficiency. Underground lines are strictly limited by their thermal capacity.
Why the process of converting the chemical energy of coal into electrical energy is very inefficient?
It really depends HOW the conversion is done. The usual process is to burn the coal; if this is done, the next step is to use a heat engine, and the efficiency of a heat engine is limited in theory by the Carnot efficiency. Of course, in practice, heat engines will be even less efficient than the theoretical Carnot engine.However, if you could find a practical way to use the fuel directly in a chemical reaction (basically, a fuel cell), the resulting efficiency could be much higher.
Why is the process of converting the chemical energy of coal into electrical energy is very inefficient?
It really depends HOW the conversion is done. The usual process is to burn the coal; if this is done, the next step is to use a heat engine, and the efficiency of a heat engine is limited in theory by the Carnot efficiency. Of course, in practice, heat engines will be even less efficient than the theoretical Carnot engine.However, if you could find a practical way to use the fuel directly in a chemical reaction (basically, a fuel cell), the resulting efficiency could be much higher.
What is economically efficient?
Economic efficiency refers to a situation where a given society uses limited resources in an efficient manner in the process of satisfying their unlimited wants.i.e engaging in a process of utilizing limited resources in producing the most desired and preferred goods and services of a society at the optimum level.There are two main factors which contribute towards the achievement of economic efficiency.Productive efficiency - ( using limited resources in a manner which provides the maximum or optimum contribution towards the total producion of an economy. )Allocative efficiency- ( llocating limited resources of a society towards the producion of the most desired combination of goods and services. )
Is limited free?
No limited does not mean free. Limited means a certain amount. If a commercial on TV says limited commercials that means they tried to do less as possible commercials.
Is it possible to train a goldfish?
Mythbusters did it with limited success
What are disadvantages of direct production?
limited employment opportunities. it is possible in limited sectors. poor quality products. no income generation.
How many types of partnership possible?
4 types -general partnership -limited partnership -master limited partnership -limited liability partnership
Is income from a limited partnership considered passive income to the limited partners?
Yes it is possible that some of the types of income that the limited partnesrship would receive could be passive income.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of charcoal?
advantages: efficiency and long lasting disadvantages: charcoal is a natural resource so therfore it is limited to how much the people of the Earth can use
What is the limited number of computers to make a LAN?
You can have thousands of computers in a LAN, but for efficiency, and administrative purposes, a large LAN is usually divided into subnets, that are interconnected among themselves.
Which engine wastes the most energy?
I would say, heat engine on earth would waste the most energy since it is always limited by thermodynamic efficiency to have some loss. In general, lower the temperature difference will resulted to lower the efficiency, a simple steam engine for a train would be of lower efficiency than a internal combustion engine and lower than complex high pressure steam turbine and is probably the lowest engine efficiency in commercial scale.
