A Geothermal Generating Facility Operates at the Ideal Carnot Efficiency

question 4

Essay

A geothermal generating facility operates at the ideal Carnot efficiency and
utilizes a pressurized hot water resource at 240°C.
(a) Calculate the Carnot efficiency as a function of the temperature of the cold reservoir from 40°C to 90°C.
(b) The waste heat from electricity generation may be utilized for space heating, and the facility may, therefore, supply a community with both electricity and heat. This approach is referred to as cogeneration and is discussed in more detail in Chapter 17. Using the relative proportions (averaged over the year) for residential electricity and heat requirements as presented in Chapter 2, is there an approach to regulating the cold
reservoir temperature that would make the best use of the geothermal resources?

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Definitions:

Game Stage

The third stage in Mead’s theory of the development of self wherein children play organized games and take on the perspective of the generalized other.

Generalized Other

A concept in sociology referring to the general societal expectations and attitudes that individuals use to understand others' viewpoints and to guide their own behavior.

Looking-glass Self

A social psychological concept suggesting that an individual's self-concept is shaped by how they believe others perceive them.

Self-concept

An individual's understanding and evaluation of their own behaviors, abilities, and unique characteristics; essentially, one's mental and conceptual understanding of themselves.