Abstract
In this paper the local stability of an irreversible heat engine working in the maximum power output and the maximum efficiency is analyzed. At two optimal steady-states of the maximum power output and the maximum efficiency the expressions of the relaxation time of an irreversible heat engine are derived. It is found that the relaxation time is a function of the heat-transfer coefficient α and β, internal irreversibility factor ϕ, heat leak rate q, heat capacity C, the total heat-transfer surface area F, and temperatures of the heat reservoirs T H and T L. The influence of heat resistance, internal irreversibility and heat leak rate on the relaxation time is discussed and some new results are gained. The local stability of the optimal steady-state of the maximum power output is better than that of the maximum efficiency. The results obtained here are more general and useful for an irreversible heat engine than an endoreversible heat engine.
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