CARNOT-LIKE PROCESSES IN FINITE-TIME .2. APPLICATIONS TO MODEL CYCLES

Physical implications of the thermodynamic inequality derived in the p receding paper are examined in the context of Carnot-like cyclic proce sses. In terms of the power P and the degradation D associated with su ch a process, a geometrical picture is developed which vividly describ es a number of important results. Our picture also leads to the concep t of time efficiency as a natural complement to the concept of power e fficiency. Extensions to Carnot-like refrigerators and heat pumps are carried out. Finally, the influence of a heat leak between the two res ervoirs is analyzed.