Abstract:In recent decades, the approach known as Finite-Time Thermodynamics has provided a fruitful theoretical framework for the optimization of heat engines operating between a heat source (at temperature hs T ) and a heat sink (at temperature cs T ). The aim of this paper is to propose a more complete approach based on the association of Finite-Time Thermodynamics and the Bond-Graph approach for modeling endoreversible heat engines. This approach makes it possible for example to find in a simple way the characteristics of the optimal operating point at which the maximum mechanical power of the endoreversible heat engine is obtained with entropy flow rate as control variable. Furthermore it provides the analytical expressions of the optimal operating point of an irreversible heat engine where the energy conversion is accompanied by irreversibilities related to internal heat transfer and heat dissipation phenomena. This original approach, applied to an analysis of the performance of a thermoelectric generator, will be the object of a future publication.
Waste heat recovery is an actual goal. The best way to valorize waste heat is to use it directly with the appropriate level of temperature. If the temperature level is insufficient, many reverse machine configurations are available in order to obtain the appropriate conditions (the most known are heat pumps and heat transformers). Finally, the remaining unused heat could be converted to any noble form of energy (mechanical, electrical essentially). We propose here to examine, with a new point of view, the thermomechanical conversion limit of waste heat. This limit corresponds to adiabatic conversion for an endo-reversible Carnot engine, with a perfect thermal contact at the atmospheric sink (supposed infinite). The Carnot–Chambadal model version is applied to latent and sensible heat recovery cases. The results associated with these two cases differ fundamentally. Comments are provided on the two studied cases, and new criteria to characterize the corresponding waste heat recovery are proposed.
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