Power and efficiency optimization for combined Brayton and two parallel inverse Brayton cycles. Part 2: Performance optimization

Abstract

The power and efficiency of the open combined Brayton and two parallel inverse Brayton cycles are analysed and optimized based on the model established using finite-time thermodynamics in Part 1 of the current paper by adjusting the compressor inlet pressure of the two parallel inverse Brayton cycles, the mass flowrate and the distribution of pressure losses along the flow path. It is shown that the power output has a maximum with respect to the compressor inlet pressures of the two parallel inverse Brayton cycles, the air mass flowrate or any of the overall pressure drops, and the maximized power output has an additional maximum with respect to the compressor pressure ratio of the top cycle. The power output and the thermal conversion efficiency have the maximum values when the mass flowrates of the first and the second inverse Brayton cycles are the same. When the optimization is performed with the constraints of a fixed fuel flowrate and the power plant size, the power output and thermal conversion efficiency can be maximized again by properly allocating the fixed overall flow area among the compressor inlet of the top cycle and the turbine outlets of the two parallel inverse Brayton cycles. The numerical examples show the effects of design parameters on the power output and heat conversion efficiency.