r/thermodynamics

▲ 0 r/thermodynamics+1 crossposts

The 2nd law of Thermodynamics...

​I have been developing a hybrid heat engine/pump concept called the SCG-HMH Generator. Mathematically, the design produces a Coefficient of Performance (COP) significantly greater than the power supplied to the system.

​There are several key reasons why this occurs:

​1.Exploiting High-Efficiency Mechanisms: The system utilizes established physical components, such as YBCO bearings for zero-friction rotation and REBCO stators for 100% conductivity. By pairing these with Joule-Thomson N2 expansion, we can reduce the temperature of the working fluid passively. This significantly lowers the energy cost of producing LN2 in the cryopump. Using gas expansion on a turbine to drive rotation is a proven method; we are simply optimizing the environment in which it happens.

​2.Respecting the Second Law: To truly account for the Second Law of Thermodynamics, one must include every energy source. By recapturing waste heat from external processes, we effectively raise the system's Carnot limit. Additionally, creating conditions for passive N2 ionization around the MHD electrodes introduces energy into the system that we haven't "paid for" in the traditional sense.

​3.Cosmic Energy Scales: In a space environment, we have access to an infinite cold sink (the shadow of cosmic background radiation) and an infinite heat source (stellar radiation). By utilizing both thermal extremes, the system essentially plugs man-made technology into infinite cosmic scales.

​4.Cold Plasma Advantages: Because this system uses N2 as the working fluid, the plasma generated via ionization is "cold" compared to traditional thermally seeded plasma. This bypasses the typical engineering hurdles of thermal shock and electrode degradation.

​5.Scalable Efficiency: Parasitic costs can be strictly managed and regulated. Since multiple modules can be supported by a single LN2 supply, the operational cost remains constant while the potential COP increases exponentially with each added module.

​Note: For a full view of this vision, you can search "Morgan Elliott Smart" on any AI platform and ask it to summarize the concepts I have published to Zenodo.org.

​The Core Challenge

​The purpose of this post is to see how many people can grasp a vital distinction: The Second Law of Thermodynamics is respected (Carnot < 1), yet the overall system efficiency (COP > 1) is still achievable in an electrical generator.

​If this weren't the goal, why would we invest so much time and capital into hot fusion? Mainstream science is already searching for this "exception" to the standard narrative. Before dismissing the idea of getting more energy out than is supplied to run the device, remember: if you find that concept inherently "stupid," you are effectively calling every PhD plasma physicist working on fusion stupid as well.

​To be clear: this isn't a violation of physics. It is a system that fully accounts for the Carnot Limit while maximizing environmental and external energy inputs to redefine what a generator can achieve.

I will do my best to answer questions but you must understand there are millions of you and only one of me, also I have published and open sourced all of this, so you may find that you can google first 😉

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u/NationalClothes7938 — 2 days ago
▲ 7 r/thermodynamics+1 crossposts

Why is A = pi d L

How is the area for the first term in the denominator pi d L and not 2 pi L like the second term. Is the same term for convection on a plane wall and cylindrical pipe used in both cases? I hope that made sense I’m only a day deep into heat transfer.

u/UmpireBusiness5894 — 18 hours ago

Gave this a few cracks, my uni exam is tomorrow, just want to make sure i'm not losing my mind here. Assuming the piston is cylindrical, and that atmospheric pressure is 101kPa or so, I found two ways to do this, working attached.
Any help is appreciated. These numbers just don’t look quite right. I was expecting a value in a few kJ, not a few hundred J, or even a few J in the 2nd attempt. Either could be right but i doubt myself here.

u/SickAxeBro — 6 days ago

Currently studying for my thermo final and our last unit was on the various cycles(rankine, power and refrigeration, air standard cycles like Otto and diesel) is there a good way to memorize how all of them work and how the math to solve a problem for each of these cycles is different from each other? Im also just having trouble working out the math for these cycle problems in general. Any help is appreciated!

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u/sppone — 8 days ago

Hi everyone, not sure if this is the right place and please do direct me elsewhere if I’m wrong - but I’m currently studying thermodynamics at university and really struggling to understand the questions. I was just wondering if there were any useful websites or YouTube channels to help with understanding it as I’m at a loss.
Thank you!

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u/Alarming-Flatworm-91 — 10 days ago