Work output and thermal efficiency optimization for an irreversible Meletis-Georgiou cycle with heat transfer loss and internal irreversibility

Abstract

An irreversible model of Meletis-Georgiou cycle (MGC) is investigated in this paper. Finite time thermodynamic (FTT) theory is introduced, and internal irreversibility of the cycle (IIC) and heat transfer loss (HTL) are considered. The expressions of the work output (WO) and thermal efficiency (TE) of the MGC are obtained, and they are maximized with respect to the volume ratios. The effects of the IIC on the WO and TE are analyzed, and the optimal cycle performances are obtained. It shows that the compression ratio (CR) has its optimal value, which makes the WO or TE reach to its maximum. Therefore, the relationship between WO and TE is loop-shaped one, which is coincidence with the performance of real engine. The results enrich the theoretical studies of the rotary engine and provide some guidelines for practical devices.