Optimal Architecture for Efficient Simple-Cycle, Steady-Flow, Combustion Engines

Increasing efficiency of steady-flow engines by way of irreversibility minimization has been the underlying objective in the development of a variety of simple, regenerative, and combined cycles. The approach thus far has been to conceptualize new cycles, or choose existing cycles, perform exergy analyses, and make modifications to minimize irreversibility. In this paper, a different approach is taken by developing a thermodynamic framework that defines the principles governing the minimization of irreversibility and uses these principles to deduce an optimal architecture for simple-cycle stationary gas-turbine and propulsion engines. The optimal architecture is thus obtained as the result of the irreversibility-minimization analysis and not by optimization of a preconceived architecture or cycle. The benefit of this approach is that, based on the chosen constraints for the analysis (e.g., polytropic efficiency of compression and expansion processes, blade temperature limits, etc.), the efficiency of the optimal architecture obtained is greater than any preconceived cycle or architecture subject to the same constraints. [PUBLISHER ABSTRACT]