Title: Thermal exergy optimisation for an irreversible cogeneration power plant

Authors: S.C. Kaushik, H. Chandra, A. Khaliq

Addresses: Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi-110016, India. ' Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi-110016, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110025, India

Abstract: The optimal design model, based on exergy analysis, of an irreversible cogeneration cycle has been presented using finite-time thermodynamics. The external irreversibility is due to the thermal resistance between the system and the heat reservoirs while the internal irreversibility is due to the non-isentropic compression and expansion process within the system. The internal irreversibility of the irreversible cogeneration cycle is characterised by a single parameter representing the ratio of relevant entropy differences. The presence of this irreversibility parameter shows that a cogeneration power plant with internal irreversibilities delivers less exergy output and has a lower efficiency than those of the reversible and endoreversible cycles. The model presented here is of more use when compared to those obtained by earlier researchers.

Keywords: finite-time thermodynamics; heat engines; irreversibility parameter; irreversible cogeneration; thermal exergy optimisation; cogeneration power plant; optimal design; exergy analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2005.007254

International Journal of Exergy, 2005 Vol.2 No.3, pp.260 - 273

Published online: 27 Jun 2005 *

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