Carnot Excedence

Patent and Mathematical Proofs by Kenneth Rauen, Science Advisor for PES, show that super-efficient thermodynamic exchange is possible.

Overview

The Second Law of Thermodynamics (2LT) has never been proven to be universal, that heat transformations must always go "downhill" or create entropy. The presumed universality of the 2LT is based upon a statistical truth, a description of particle collisions based upon the kinetic theory of heat (KTH). Not all particle collisions need be random. When a series of particle collisions has a net motion in any direction, it is called work, such as when a gas moves a piston. Piston motion need not be present for work to occur. Heat is transferred from a low temperature via particle collisions to a higher temperature without energy input, relying just upon elastic collisions according to the KTH, with work as the transfer medium, when a gas is displaced through a regenerator under constant volume conditions; this is the Proell effect. The patented engine cycles apply this phenomenon. In constant volume displacement cooling, part of the engine is refrigerated without work input, and this internal heat sink is used to advantage. The waste heat flows of the engine fall into this sink and are recycled to the high temperature of the engine in the next cycle. Depending on how the displacement and regeneration are done, either partial or complete recycling is accomplished. Carnot's Theorem, the mathematical equation of theoretical maximum engine efficiency determined by a ratio of the highest and lowest absolute temperatures of an engine, and based upon the statistical mechanics of the 2LT, is sidestepped, allowing higher engine efficiencies, and even the use of ambient heat as the heat input. The patent shows practical application in definitive cycles with some mechanical embodiment, and the mathematical proofs show the full thermodynamic analysis with state variables, enough to satisfy the most rigorous academic scrutiny.

-- Ken Rauen, June 28, 2004

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See

15-page Primer by Ken Rauen - Above and Beyond Carnot: How and why Carnot's Theorem can be circumvented. Low temperature heat sources may be efficiently converted to work, and environmental heat can run heat engines.

U.S. Patent 6,698,200 Efficiency thermodynamic engine

Download Patent PDF (1.3Mb)
US patent, 6,698,200 B1 (March 4, 2004), for a super-Carnot heat engine. Ken has experimentally verified a macroscopic Maxwell's Demon, what Ken calls the Proell effect.

Figure 1 from Patent

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to thermodynamic heat engines, in particular to improve efficiency thermodynamic heat engines of at least three cycle steps.

ABSTRACT
A novel thermodynamic engines including a piston operating on a compressible fluid in a thermally insulated volume, which also includes a movable displacer which selectively divides the internal volume between a warm and a cold side, and a regenerator through which the fluid from the selectively divided volume passes and transfer its heat to or receives heat from, wherein the piston and displacer are each periodically moved in various complex motions according to the present invention to provide efficiency higher than Carnot efficiency. The resulting novel structures and methods, generally referred to as "Superclassical Cycle" engines, incorporate constant volume cooling and aspects of the "Proell Effect" (relative to cooling) to achieve improved efficiencies wherein the gas temperature on the cold side of a fluid displacer is below the lowest regenerator temperature due to "self-refrigeration." Thus according to the apparatus and methods according to the present invention, the traditional principals of the Second Law is further refined and higher operating efficiencies achieved.

Math Proof 3 -- Post-Patent

Math Proof 3 refers to Figures 3 and 4 of the patent.
"This proves Carnot can be exceeded."

A Mathematical Proof of Carnot Excedence: Number 3 (doc)
Three Figures that Accompany Document (click image for full size)

Thermophysical Properties of Refrigerants Argon Enthalpy v Pressure PH Cycle Plot

Math Proof 5 -- Post-Patent

"This proves 100% efficiency is possible"

A Mathematical Proof of Carnot Excedence: Number 5 (doc)
Three Figures that Accompany Document (click image for full size)

Thermophysical Properties of Refrigerants Argon Enthalpy v Pressure PH Cycle Plot

Related Resources

The Proell effect is thoroughly described in Infinite Energy Magazine (Kenneth M. Rauen, “The Proell Effect: A Macroscopic Maxwell’s Demon,” Infinite Energy, Vol. 9, No. 52, 2003, pp. 20-32) Describes the research behind this "perpetual motion machine of the second kind."