Gas Power Cycles Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M .

Mallikarjuna

4.8. Atkinson Cycle:

Atkinson cycle is an ideal cycle for Otto engine exhausting to a gas turbine. In this cycle

the isentropic expansion (3-4) of an Otto cycle (1-2-3-4) is further allowed to proceed to

the lowest cycle pressure so as to increase the work output. With this modification the

cycle is known as Atkinson cycle. The cycle is shown on p-v and T-s diagrams in

Fig.4.8. Processes involved are:

Process 1-2: Reversible adiabatic compression (v1 to v2).

Process 2-3: Constant volume heat addition.

Process 3-4: Reversible adiabatic expansion (v3 to v4).

Process 4-1: Constant pressure heat rejection.

2
4'
1 4

Volume
(a)

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Gas Power Cycles Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M . Mallikarjuna

4'
2
4

Entropy
(b)

Fig.4.8. Atkinson cycle on p-v and T-s diagrams

Thermal Efficiency:
Heat supplied = C v ( T3 - T2 )
Heat rejected = Cp ( T4 - T1 )
Net workdone = C v ( T3 - T2 ) - Cp ( T4 - T1 )

C v ( T3 - T2 ) - Cp ( T4 - T1 )
ηth =
C v ( T3 - T2 )

γ ( T4 - T1 )
= 1-
( T3 - T2 )
v1
Let, r = = CR
v2

T2 = T1 r γ - 1

T3 P
= 3 = rp = Pressure ratio
T2 P2

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Gas Power Cycles Prof. U.S.P. Shet , Prof. T. Sundararajan and Prof. J.M . Mallikarjuna

T3 = T2 rp = T1 r γ - 1 rp

γ -1 γ -1 γ -1 γ -1 γ -1
T3 ⎛P ⎞ γ ⎛P ⎞ γ ⎛P P ⎞ γ ⎛ P ⎞ γ
=⎜ 3⎟ = ⎜ 3⎟ = ⎜ 3. 2⎟ = ⎜ rp . 2 ⎟ = rp γ . r γ−1
T4 ⎝ P4 ⎠ ⎝ P1 ⎠ ⎝ P2 P1 ⎠ ⎝ P1 ⎠

since,

γ
P2 ⎛v ⎞
= ⎜ 1 ⎟ = rγ
P1 ⎝ v2 ⎠

and

T1 rp r γ - 1
1
T3
T4 = γ -1
= γ -1
= T1 rpγ
rp γ rγ - 1 rp γ rγ - 1

⎡ 1 ⎤
⎢ rγ - 1 ⎥
=1-γ ⎢ ⎥
p
ηth
(
⎢ rp - 1 r γ - 1 ⎥
⎢ ⎥
)
⎣ ⎦

Indian Institute of Technology Madras