Heat engines and the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency

A. Calvo Hern´andez, J. M.M. Roco, A. Medina, N. S´anchez-Salas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The so-called Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency is becoming a paradigmatic result with regards to thermodynamic optimization of power cycles. Its wide applicability and sole dependence on the external heat bath temperatures (as the Carnot efficiency does) allows for an easy and fairly comparison with experimental efficiencies of striking validity. Different analytical derivations are presented in order to assess its validity and limitations for a broad variety of thermal cycles and steady state systems based on Finite-Time, Linear-Irreversible and Equilibrium Thermodynamic frameworks. Some conclusions and future perspectives are also outlined.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)384-389
Number of pages6
JournalRevista Mexicana de Fisica
Volume60
Issue number5
StatePublished - 2014

Keywords

  • Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency
  • Heat engines
  • Optimization
  • Thermodynamics

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