Thermodynamic Evaluation of Atmospheric Thermal Energy Based on Climatic Data in Kirkuk City, Iraq
Hanan Mohamad Akbar
Department of Fuel and Energy Engineering, College of Oil and Gas/Kirkuk, Northern Technical University, Kirkuk, Iraq
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http://doi.org/10.37648/ijiest.v12i01.006
Abstract
The thermodynamic behavior of the atmosphere is important for understanding climatic stress and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. This paper presents a thermodynamic analysis of atmospheric thermal energy in Kirkuk City, Iraq, using observed climatic data from 2016 to 2025. A physically based thermodynamic model was implemented by incorporating a composite thermal energy index comprising sensible heat, latent heat related to atmospheric moisture, and cooling due to rainfall. The index was calculated based on the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, incorporating maximum air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, and rainfall. The findings reveal significant interannual variations in atmospheric thermal energy, reflecting a combination of temperature extremes, moisture availability, and precipitation patterns. Higher thermal energy was recorded in years with high temperatures and low rainfall, suggesting that more heat is retained in the atmosphere and that thermal stress is intensified. Conversely, years with greater rainfall exhibited lower thermal energy, owing to enhanced cooling effects and improved heat balance in the atmosphere. The results demonstrate that thermodynamic indicators provide a robust framework for evaluating climatic sustainability, as they capture the physical nature of energy exchange processes in the atmosphere. The proposed method offers a useful resource for assessing thermal stress, informing climate adaptation policies, and supporting sustainable urban and environmental planning in Kirkuk City and other regions with similar climatic characteristics.
Keywords: Climatic data; Latent heat; Sensible heat; Thermal energy index; Thermodynamics
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