I would like to know how much thermal energy is converted to kinetic energy in a steam engine, or a more efficient means if available.
I have done some research and found out that Carnot made some equations to determine efficiency. It is also mentioned that as part of the Carnot cycle it is important that the cold temperature reservoir be colder, but I don't understand how that would help increase efficiency of the conversion of thermal energy to kinetic energy. Here is a paragraph taken from Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnot_cycle
"Lowering the temperature of the cold reservoir will have more effect on the ceiling efficiency of a heat engine than raising the temperature of the hot reservoir by the same amount."
Best Answer
Look up something called the Carnot efficiency. That is the theoretical limit of how effecient any heat engine can be at converting heat power to some other form. This maximum possible efficiency is
Carnot efficiency = Tdiff / Thot = (Thot - Tcold) / Thot
By simple 8th grade algebra, you can see that you get a higher value by decreasing Tcold (the cold side temperature) than by increasing Thot (the hot side temperature) by the same amount.
For example, the Carnot efficiency of 100°C to 0°C is 100°K / 373°K = 26.8%. Adding 10 degrees to the hot side you get 110°K / 383°K = 28.7%, but decreasing the cold side by the same 10 degrees yields 110°K / 373°K = 29.5%.