Question

A heat engine operates between a hot source at \(T_{\text{H}} = 900\text{ K}\) and a cold sink at the ambient temperature \(T_{0} = T_{\text{C}} = 300\text{ K}\). During one cycle the engine receives \(Q_{\text{H}} = 12,000\text{ kJ}\) from the hot source and rejects \(Q_{\text{C}} = 8,000\text{ kJ}\) to the cold sink. Which of the following statements is correct?

• A. The entropy generation per cycle is \(S_{\text{gen}} = 4.00\text{ kJ/K}\).
• B. The process is reversible because the work equals the Carnot work for these temperatures.
• C. The entropy generation per cycle is \(S_{\text{gen}} = 13.333\text{ kJ/K}\).
• D. The entropy generation is zero.

Hint:

An entropy generation value of zero ($S_{\text{gen}} = 0$) indicates a fully reversible process.
If $S_{\text{gen}} > 0$, the process is irreversible.
A negative value ($S_{\text{gen}} < 0$) violates the Second Law of Thermodynamics and is physically impossible.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C