OPTIMIZATION OF COUPLED FINITE-TIME HEAT ENGINES

In this paper we present an analysis of two Carnot-like endoreversible thermal engines coupled through a thermal bypass. By means of the def inition of a coupling parameter (alpha) we study some optimization cri teria for this array of engines. We show that alpha works as a driving parameter of the global power output and efficiency of the array. The re exist alpha-values that maximize those quantities and we demonstrat e that the coupled engines have performance advantages over the uncoup led case.