M. Santillan et al., Local stability analysis of an endoreversible Curzon-Ahborn-Novikov engineworking in a maximum-power-like regime, J PHYS D, 34(13), 2001, pp. 2068-2072
A local stability analysis of an endoreversible Curzon-Ahborn-Novikov (CAN)
engine, working in a maximum-power-like regime, is presented. The CAN engi
ne in the present work consists of a Carnot engine that exchanges heat with
the heat reservoirs T-1 and T-2 (T-1 > T-2) through a couple of thermal co
nductors, both having the same conductance (alpha). In addition, the workin
g fluid has the same heat capacity (C) in the two isothermal branches of th
e cycle. From the local stability analysis we conclude that the CAN engine
is stable for every value of alpha, C and tau = T-2/T-1; that after a pertu
rbation the system state exponentially decays to the steady state with eith
er of two different relaxation times; that both relaxation times are propor
tional to C/alpha; and that only one of them depends on tau, being a monoto
nically decreasing function of tau. Finally, when comparing with the system
steady-state energetic properties, we find that as tau increases, the syst
em stability is improved, while the system power and efficiency decrease; t
his suggests a compromise between the stability and energetic properties, d
riven by tau.