A xenon power cycle and the second law of thermodynamics

Abstract

Xenon plus a molecular solid solute that yields a positive excess enthalpy of solution reaction form the working fluid for a transcritical power cycle. Xenon exhibits large changes in induced polarities with the change in density in the temperature and pressure range of the cycle described. A difference in excess enthalpy of solution between the reaction in xenon’s dense liquid state and expanded supercritical fluid state affects the cycle’s efficiency by internally elevating the temperature of heat input from near the cycle’s T2 to near its T1 before that energy affects gas expansion. This positive excess enthalpy differential establishes conditions in the cycle that allows for complete exhaust heat regeneration. The energy transfer invalidates Carnot’s and Clausius’s original assumption that the rate an ideal gas can convert heat energy to work by its expansion and contraction establishes heat as the lowest form of energy to which all other forms degrade.