Soojusmootorite

Soojusmootorid, commonly referred to as heat engines, are devices that convert thermal energy into mechanical work. This process typically involves a working fluid that undergoes a cycle of expansion and compression, driven by temperature differences. The fundamental principle behind their operation is the second law of thermodynamics, which states that heat naturally flows from a hotter region to a colder region.

The basic components of most heat engines include a heat source, a working substance, and a heat sink. The heat source provides the thermal energy, often through combustion or other exothermic processes. The working substance, such as a gas or liquid, absorbs heat from the source, expands, and performs work. Finally, the working substance rejects waste heat to a cooler reservoir, known as the heat sink, completing the cycle.

There are various types of heat engines, broadly categorized into internal combustion engines and external combustion engines. In internal combustion engines, fuel is burned directly within the working cylinder, such as in gasoline or diesel engines. External combustion engines, like steam engines, burn fuel outside the working cylinder, with the heat transferred to the working fluid indirectly.

The efficiency of a heat engine is limited by the Carnot efficiency, which is the theoretical maximum efficiency achievable for any heat engine operating between two given temperatures. Real-world heat engines achieve lower efficiencies due to factors like friction, heat loss, and incomplete combustion. Despite these limitations, heat engines are crucial for a wide range of applications, including transportation, power generation, and industrial machinery.