A Proposal for the Poisson Process of Classical Thermodynamics

Abstract

NOTATION C v specific heat capacity at constant volume C p specific heat capacity at constant pressure h specific enthalpy k ratio of specific heat capacities p pressure T temperature u specific internal energy v specific volumeClassical thermodynamics is characterized by many important thermodynamic cycles named after prominent contributors to the subject. Examples are the Carnot, Rankine, Brayton, Otto. Diesel, and Stirling cycles. One advantage of this name association with a particular cycle is the elimination of confusion as to the particular conditions (e.g., processes) that apply to a given cycle. Thus, the Carnot cycle always includes two reversible, isothermal processes and two reversible, adiabatic processes. This orderly situation of name recognition for certain cycles does not currently extend to important thermodynamic processes. As an example, consider the following thermodynamic process characterized by the four conditions:The process is reversible.(i) The process is adiabatic.The working substance is an ideal gas.(iii) The specific heat capacities are constant.(iv)It is noted that conditions (i) and (ii) imply an isentropic process. Also, condition (ii) strictly means there is no heat transfer during the process. Here the term, ideal gas, in condition (iii) means only that the gas obeys the equation of state, pv = RT, whereas some authors use the term perfect gas to describe an ideal gas with constant specific heat capacities.