Last Updated: 6/30/2014

Free Excel/VBA Spreadsheets for Thermodynamics:

Rankine, Brayton, Otto and Diesel Cycles

Usage, Disclaimer, Notes

Brayton Cycle (Cold Air Standard) Template including Regeneration (Updated

6/21/2010)
This spreadsheet provides a template for analysis of the Brayton Cycle using the Cold Air Standard (constant specific
heats). The user must fill in the data in the top grid. From that data, the cells in the second grid are updated, and
Pressure-volume and Temperature-entropy diagrams are generated. Make sure your volume is set up high when you
open it! A second sheet in the same workbook (not seen below but operating in a similar fashion) is set up to include
Regeneration. For photos of aircraft powered by the Brayton cycle (Turbofans and Turboprops) as well as some
powered by the Otto cycle, click here.
Rankine Cycle Template (Updated 6/30/2014)
This spreadsheet provides a template for analysis of the Rankine (steam) Cycle. The user must fill in the data in the top
grid (from other software or table lookup). From that data, the cells in the second grid are updated, and Pressure-
volume and Temperature-entropy diagrams are generated. For best results download the handy Excel add-in from
Coolprop. That easy-to-implement add-in provides functions for all the properties of water youll need in completing
this spreadsheet (and those of 150+ other fluids as well). The logic is not much different that manual table look-up and
interpolation provide two independent properties, e.g., P and Q (quality) and the function returns any of the others (U,
T, H, S, etc.) Once you have implemented these functions properly, then the whole spreadsheet will update whenever
any input parameter (those having the green background in the screen grab below) is changed. This spreadsheet
includes a VBA function that (assuming youve automated the property evaluations using Coolprop or something
similar) allows you to run a sequence of cases automatically to assess the sensitivity of one variable, e.g., the cycle
efficiency, to another parameter, e.g., the turbine inlet pressure.
Otto Cycle Template (Updated 5/12/09)
This spreadsheet provides a template for analysis of the Otto (spark-ignition, internal combustion) Cycle. The user
must fill in the data in the top grid (from other software or table lookup). From that data, the cells in the second grid
are updated, and Pressure-volume and Temperature-entropy diagrams are generated. If you use the thermal properties
Excel add-in from Spreadsheetworld.com, then you can have the whole spreadsheet update whenever any input
parameter is changed. This updated spreadsheet includes the capability of doing a sensitivity analysis. Turn up your
volume before opening! For more on large aircraft engines using the Otto cycle, click here.
Diesel Cycle Template (New 5/28/2009)
This spreadsheet provides a template for analysis of the Diesel (compression-ignition, internal combustion) Cycle. The
user must fill in the data in the top grid. From that data, the cells in the second grid are updated, and Pressure-volume
and Temperature-entropy diagrams are generated. This workbook includes the capability of doing a sensitivity
analysis.
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