MAXIMUM SPECIFIC POWER OUTPUT OF AN IRREVERSIBLE RADIANT-HEAT ENGINE

With the help of an irreversible Carnot cycle model with continuous fl ow, the effects of the irreversibility of finite rate heat transfer an d internal irreversibility of the working fluid on the performance of a radiant heat engine are studied. The specific power output of the he at engine is chosen to be an objective function for heat engine optimi zation. The maximum specific power output and the corresponding effici ency are derived. The optimal problems concerning the primary performa nce parameters of the heat engine, such as the efficiency, temperature s of the working fluid and heat transfer areas are discussed in detail .