Heat to Work Conversion Ratios

Converting heat into mechanical work requires at least a cylinder actuator into which thermodynamic
transformations can occur or take place. Every heat-work interaction mode undergoes a figure of
merit or performance which depends on the interaction mode (path function) and the working fluid.
Note that Carnot cycle is implemented independently of any working fluid. It should be noted that the
Carnot cycle is ideal and therefore it is out of reality with no possibility of implementation. In order to
have a valid criterion for choosing the most efficient heat-working interaction modes, it is necessary to
evaluate each mode of interaction that can be integrated into a given thermal cycle, so that the
resulting thermal cycle is feasible and efficient. In addition to the interaction efficiency or conversion
ratio (CR), thermal working fluid is found as a fundamental influencing factor.