working substance

American  

noun

1. a substance, usually a fluid, that undergoes changes in pressure, temperature, volume, or form as part of a process for accomplishing work.

---

working substance British  

noun

1. the fluid, esp water, steam, or compressed air, that operates an engine, refrigerator, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of working substance

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

working substance

Heat transfer Qh occurs into the working substance during the isothermal path AB, which takes place at constant temperature Th .

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

Heat transfer Qc occurs out of the working substance during the isothermal path CD, which takes place at constant temperature Tc .

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

The practical drawbacks to employing air as the working substance of a heat-engine are so great that its use has been very limited.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

The air has served as working substance in a heat-engine; it has also been employed in the most advantageous manner possible, since no useless re-establishment of the equilibrium of heat has been allowed to occur.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various

Having established the general notions of a perfect cycle, he proceeds to give a more exact illustration, employing a gas as the working substance.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various