A aplicabilidade da termodinâmica em motores de combustão interna

Abstract

Thermodynamics is today one of the interdisciplinary branches of Science, and constitutes a fundamental instrument in the interpretation and prediction of the phenomena of Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Engineering. Having started with an essentially macroscopic component (which is often called Classical Thermodynamics), it now encompasses a fully integrated body of integrated knowledge of the mother sciences (Physics and Chemistry), thanks to the development of atomic and molecular theory. James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) wrote (1) one day that Classical Thermodynamics was "A Science with the secure foundations, clear definitions and distinct boundaries". The technological development ends up being a consequence of a complex study due to the human need of evolution. And that was what happened in the eighteenth century with the Industrial Revolution, from which were developed thermal machines that worked with the steam that was obtained by the burning of coal in large boilers. In order to increase production, reduce costs, improve transport facilities and facilitate communication between people, a number of studies and research have led to the discovery of combustion engines, replacing steam engines and, thus, increasing yield and work. This evolution of the industrial sector was due to the concepts of thermodynamics, and ended up promoting an improvement in the quality of several other sectors such as mechanics, medicine and even food, thus raising the quality of life of the population.