Maximum Power Extraction From a Hot Stream in the Presence of Phase Change Under Limiting Collecting Temperatures

In this paper we consider the fundamental problem of maximizing the power extraction from a hot stream when the collecting stream experiences a phase change and there are limits imposed by the materials on the operating temperatures. It constitutes an extension of [4] where it was pointed out the existence of an optimal mass flow rate ratio of the hot stream to the collecting stream. In this work, we study the effects of the restrictions imposed by limiting temperatures on the spatial configuration, power extraction and the optimal matching of the two streams. An optimal hot-stream-to-collecting-stream mass flow rate ratio can be found when the collecting stream experiences a phase change while in contact with the hottest section of the hot stream. Associated to the optimal mass flow rate ratio there is also an optimal heat exchanger area allocation. The effects of several operating parameters on the optimal configuration are documented. This paper constitutes an illustration of how thermodynamic optimization leads to the discovery of system structure (constructal theory [1]).