Applicability of the minimum entropy generation method for optimizing thermodynamic cycles

Entropy generation is often used as a figure of merit in thermodynamic cycle optimizations. In this paper, it is shown that the applicability of the minimum entropy generation method to optimizing output power is conditional. The minimum entropy generation rate and the minimum entropy generation number do not correspond to the maximum output power when the total heat into the system of interest is not prescribed. For the cycles whose working medium is heated or cooled by streams with prescribed inlet temperatures and prescribed heat capacity flow rates, it is theoretically proved that both the minimum entropy generation rate and the minimum entropy generation number correspond to the maximum output power when the virtual entropy generation induced by dumping the used streams into the environment is considered. However, the minimum principle of entropy generation is not tenable in the case that the virtual entropy generation is not included, because the total heat into the system of interest is not fixed. An irreversible Carnot cycle and an irreversible Brayton cycle are analysed. The minimum entropy generation rate and the minimum entropy generation number do not correspond to the maximum output power if the heat into the system of interest is not prescribed.

Entransy analyses of heat–work conversion systems with inner irreversible thermodynamic cycles

In this paper, we try to use the entransy theory to analyze the heat–work conversion systems with inner irreversible thermodynamic cycles. First, the inner irreversible thermodynamic cycles are analyzed. The influences of different inner irreversible factors on entransy loss are discussed. We find that the concept of entransy loss can be used to analyze the inner irreversible thermodynamic cycles. Then, we analyze the common heat–work conversion systems with inner irreversible thermodynamic cycles. As an example, the heat–work conversion system in which the working fluid of the thermodynamic cycles is heated and cooled by streams is analyzed. Our analyses show that larger entransy loss leads to larger output work when the total heat flow from the high temperature heat source and the corresponding equivalent temperature are fixed.Some numerical cases are presented, and the results verify the theoretical analyses. On the other hand, it is also found that larger entransy loss does not always lead to larger output work when the preconditions are not satisfied.

Particle path tracking method in two- and three-dimensional continuously rotating detonation engines

The particle path tracking method is proposed and used in two-dimensional（2D） and three-dimensional（3D） numerical simulations of continuously rotating detonation engines（CRDEs）. This method is used to analyze the combustion and expansion processes of the fresh particles, and the thermodynamic cycle process of CRDE. In a 3D CRDE flow field, as the radius of the annulus increases, the no-injection area proportion increases, the non-detonation proportion decreases, and the detonation height decreases. The flow field parameters on the 3D mid annulus are different from in the 2D flow field under the same chamber size. The non-detonation proportion in the 3D flow field is less than in the 2D flow field. In the 2D and 3D CRDE, the paths of the flow particles have only a small fluctuation in the circumferential direction. The numerical thermodynamic cycle processes are qualitatively consistent with the three ideal cycle models, and they are right in between the ideal F–J cycle and ideal ZND cycle. The net mechanical work and thermal efficiency are slightly smaller in the 2D simulation than in the 3D simulation. In the 3D CRDE, as the radius of the annulus increases, the net mechanical work is almost constant, and the thermal efficiency increases. The numerical thermal efficiencies are larger than F–J cycle, and much smaller than ZND cycle.

An effective thermodynamic transformation analysis method for actual irreversible cycle

An effective thermodynamic transformation analysis method was proposed in this study. According to the phenomenon of ex- ergy consumption always coupling with heat transfer process, the effective thermodynamic temperatures were defined, then the actual power cycle or refrigeration/heat pump cycle was transformed into the equivalent reversible Carnot or reverse Carnot cycles for thermodynamic analysis. The derived effective thermodynamic temperature of the hot reservoir of the equivalent reverse Camot cycle is the basis of the proposed method. The combined diagram of TR-h and TR-q was adopted for the analy- sis of the system performance and the exergy consumption, which takes advantage of the visual expression of the heat/work exchange and the enthalpy change, and is convenient for the calculation of the coefficient of performance and exergy con- sumptions. Take a heat pump water heater with refrigerant of R22 for example, the proposed method was systematically intro- duced, and the fitting formulas of the effective thermodynamic temperatures were given as demonstration. The results show that the proposed method has advantage and well application foreground in the performance simulation and estimation under the variable working conditions.

Theoretical investigation on water/metal fuel ramjet motor-thermodynamic cycle and thermodynamic calculation

For achieving high-speed requirement of underwater vehicle,a conceptual engine,which utilizes the hydroreactive characteristic of several metals under supercavitation environment,has been put forward. Especially,in order to obtain specific impulse as great as possible,a dual water injection system is taken into account. Then thermodynamic cycle model,which lead the improvement of power plant and energy system,is introduced in detail,and thermal efficiency is also analyzed. Furthermore,for investigating the performance of this kind of engine system,detailed thermodynamic calculation and analysis are achieved. Especially,regarding hydroreactive metal fuel Mg/AP/HTPB as our target fuel-rich propellant,considering its obvious deficient oxygen property and the energy property of magnesium/water reaction,theoretical calculation method is established by integrating chemical non-equilibrium with chemical equilibrium. Accordingly,low limit of primary water/fuel ratio is determined. In addition,the qualitative and quantitative relationship of performance parameters,such as theoretical specific impulse,nozzle exit temperature,characteristic velocity,etc.,versus water/fuel ratio is investigated respectively.

Thermodynamic and Economic Studies of a Combined Cycle for Waste Heat Recovery of Marine Diesel Engine

In the present study,the thermodynamic and economic performance of a combined thermodynamic cycle formed by an ORC and a Kalina cycle,which can simultaneously recover waste heat of exhaust gas and cooling water of marine engine,has been analyzed.Two typical marine engines are selected to be the waste heat source.Six economic indicators are used to analyze the economic performance of this combined thermodynamic cycle system with different marine engine load and under practical comprehensive operating condition of marine engine.The results of the present study show that the combined thermodynamic cycle system with R123 as organic working fluid has the best performance.The system with cis-butene has the worst economic performance.Under practical comprehensive operating conditions of ships,R123 has the shortest Payback Periods,which are 8.51 years and 8.14 years for 8 S70 ME-C10.5 engine and 5G95 ME-C10.5 engine,respectively.Correspondingly,payback Periods of Cyclopentane are 11.95 years and 11.90 years.The above values are much shorter than 25 years which are the lifetime of a marine ship.Under practical comprehensive operating conditions of ships,the combined cycle system can provide output power which is at least equivalent to 25%of engine power.Considering that R123 will be phased out in near future,cyclopentane may be its good successor.Cyclopentane can be used safely by correct handling and installing according to manufacturer's instructions.

The Generalized Thermodynamic Temperature and the New Expressions of the First and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

The classical thermodynamics reflects the significant relationship between the heat and the temperature. On the basis of the relationships, according to the mathematical derivation, this paper structures the conceptions of generalized heat, generalized thermodynamic temperature, generalized entropy and so on. The series of conceptions in the classical thermodynamics is merely a special case of the generalized thermodynamics. Based on these conceptions of generalized thermodynamics, this paper presents the new expressions of the first law and the second law of thermodynamics. In other words, these expressions are endued with new explanations. The Eq. LZ = kTS given by this paper provides theoretical basis for these new expressions.

Insights into thermodynamic performance of a hypersonic precooled air-breathing engine with a complicated multi-branch closed cycle

An advanced precooled airbreathing engine with a closed Brayton cycle is a promising solution for high-speed propulsion,of which the Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine(SABRE)is a representative configuration.The performance of the latest SABRE-4 cycle was analyzed in this paper.Firstly,a relatively complete engine performance model that considers the characteristics of turbomachinery and heat exchangers was developed.Then,Sobol’global sensitivity analysis of key performance parameters was carried out to identify the most influential design variables.Optimal specific impulses under different target specific thrusts were obtained by particle swarm optimization,of which the thermodynamic parameters corresponding to a specific thrust of 1.12 kN·s·kg^(-1)and a specific impulse of 3163 s were chosen as the design values.Four different control laws were analyzed in contrast,and the charge control method had the strongest ability of thrust regulation as well as maintaining a favorable specific impulse performance.Finally,working characteristics under the charge control and over a typical flight envelope were calculated,in which the average value of the maximum specific impulse was as high as 5315 s.This study would help to deepen the understanding of SABRE-4 thermodynamic characteristics and other precooled airbreathing engine cycles with similar layouts.

Life cycle evaluation of an intercooled gas turbine plant used in conjunction with renewable energy

The life cycle estimation of power plants is important for gas turbine operators.With the introduction of wind energy into the grid,gas turbine operators now operate their plants in Load–Following modes as back-ups to the renewable energy sources which include wind,solar,etc.The motive behind this study is to look at how much life is consumed when an intercooled power plant with 100 MW power output is used in conjunction with wind energy.This operation causes fluctuations because the wind energy is unpredictable and overtime causes adverse effects on the life of the plant–The High Pressure Turbine Blades.Such fluctuations give rise to low cycle fatigue and creep failure of the blades depending on the operating regime used.A performance based model that is capable of estimating the life consumed of an intercooled power plant has been developed.The model has the capability of estimating the life consumed based on seasonal power demands and operations.An in-depth comparison was undertaken on the life consumed during the seasons of operation and arrives at the conclusion that during summer,the creep and low cycle life is consumed higher than the rest periods.A comparison was also made to determine the life consumed between Load–Following and stop/start operating scenarios.It was also observed that daily creep life consumption in summer was higher than the winter period in-spite of having lower average daily operating hours in a Start–Stop operating scenario.

A novel approach for the design of axial flow fan by increasing by-pass ratio in a constantdiameter turbofan

The present study introduces an innovative aerodynamic redesign of an axial flow fan based on constant diffusion factor and radial equilibrium.All input design parameters such as mass flow rate,hub to tip ratio,aspect ratio,tip diameter and angular velocity are taken from NASA Rotor 67 as a conventional axial flow fan.A computer program is developed to extract the three-dimensional geometry of a fan and to estimate the span-wise distribution of parameters.The new designed fan flow field is investigated in detail by CFD tool at both design and off design conditions.Finally,a turbofan cycle analysis is conducted based on thermodynamic and gas dynamic principles to evaluate the fan performance in a turbofan engine in comparison to NASA Rotor 67.Achieving a higher total pressure ratio,meeting the target pressure ratio in lower rotational speed with higher efficiency,delivering more bypass air in a constant diameter and less fuel consumption for the same specific thrust force are the main advantages for the new design strategy in comparison to the conventional designed fans such as Rotor 67.However,efficiency reduction in fan over speed is the main disadvantage.