Local stability analysis of an endoreversible Curzon-Ahborn-Novikov engineworking in a maximum-power-like regime

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.