A Generalized Ecological, Internally Irreversible Carnot Cycle Model, as an Optimum Compromise Between Maximum Power and Efficiency for a Given Heat Transfer Inventory

A generalization of the so-called ecological cycle introduced by Angulo-Brown for the endoreversible maximum power problem of Curzon-Ahlborn is presented here under the assumption of arithmetic mean temperature differences and Newtonian heat transfer in heat exchangers, but with internal irreversibility and a variable heat transfer entropy penalization factor of maximum power to be produced. This presentation extends that given recently for a case study of an ecological non endoreversible Curzon-Ahlborn cycle, and more recently by this author for general rules of heat conductance allocations in endoreversible and irreversible Carnot like power or refrigeration cycles, and cascades of such cycles. Analytical results are obtained here in terms of heat source and sink temperature ratio, internal irreversibility factor, and ecological entropy penalization factor X defined as the number of times the energy equivalent entropy produced through heat transfer is subtracted from power generated per unit overall heat conductance. The value of X to design for in a given case study will dependent admittedly, on the respective capital cost and expected fuel cost of the particular power cycle to be retained. Finally, a newly defined ratio of maximum power produced to heat rejected by the cycle is presented as an ecology friendly parameter.