Thermal Efficiency Calculator

Your details

Choose what you want to calculate. The three energy modes are interchangeable; the Carnot mode uses reservoir temperatures instead.
Total heat energy supplied to the engine from the hot source.
kJ
Useful mechanical (or electrical) work produced by the engine.
kJ
Add the Carnot (maximum) efficiency and second-law efficiency by entering reservoir temperatures.
Thermal efficiencyHigh efficiency
40%

Fraction of heat input converted to useful work

Work output400
Heat input1,000
Heat rejected (Qout)600
Energy unitkJ
40 %
Low<20Moderate20-40High40-60Very High60+

Thermal efficiency: 40.00%.

  • 60.0% of the supplied heat is rejected to the cold sink and cannot be recovered as work.
  • Work output: 400 kJ. Heat input: 1000 kJ.

Next stepEnable "Compare to Carnot limit" and add reservoir temperatures to see how far this engine is from its theoretical maximum.

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