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.

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working substance British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of working substance

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

working substance

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

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

They differ from it, however, in the fact that their working substance is not air, but a mixture of gases—a necessary consequence of internal combustion.

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

In any heat-engine it is essential that the working substance should be at a high temperature while it is taking in heat, and at a relatively low temperature when it is rejecting heat.

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