Heat Engine Cycle Configurations for Maximum Work Output with Generalized Models of Reservoir Thermal Capacity and Heat Resistance

Abstract

Abstract A class of two finite-heat-reservoir endoreversible heat engine with the generalized models of both the reservoir thermal capacities and heat resistances is investigated. The optimality condition for cycle maximum work output is derived by applying optimal control theory, and impacts of both thermal capacity characteristics of heat reservoirs and heat transfer laws on the optimal configurations are discussed. The results obtained in some previous researches are special cases of those obtained herein, which can provide some guidelines for optimal design of actual heat engines.