Optimal Configuration of Linear Phenomenological Heat Transfer Law Heat Engine System for Maximum Cycle Efficiency

Optimal configuration of a class of endoreversible heat engines with fixed duration,input energy and linear phenomenological heat transfer law [q∝Δ(T-1)] had been determined.The optimal cycle that maximized the efficiency of the engine had been obtained using optimal-control theory and numerical method.It was shown that the optimal cycle had eight branches including two isothermal branches,four maximum-efficiency branches and two adiabatic branches.The interval of each branch had been obtained,as well as the solutions of the temperatures of heat reservoirs and working fluid.A numerical example was given.The obtained results were compared with those obtained with the Newton's heat transfer law [q∝Δ(T)] for maximum-efficiency objective.