Maximum thermal efficiency is commonly assumed to correspond to minimum entropy generation. However, previous work has disproven this assumption for various power generation systems. In order to reconcile these two optimization approaches, second law analysis is performed here in terms of specific entropy generation (SEG), defined as the total entropy generation per mole of fuel. An inverse relationship between thermal efficiency and SEG is derived here, and it is shown that maximum thermal efficiency always corresponds to minimum SEG for lean fuel/air mixtures. Furthermore, the maximum efficiency limit of conventional power plants is shown to differ from the Carnot efficiency. Finally, a modified second law efficiency is introduced, and it is shown that the exhaust combustion products are bounded by a theoretical minimum temperature.
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January 2019
Technical Briefs
Demonstration of an Inverse Relationship Between Thermal Efficiency and Specific Entropy Generation for Combustion Power Systems
Y. Haseli,
Y. Haseli
School of Engineering and Technology,
Central Michigan University,
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
e-mail: hasel1y@cmich.edu
Central Michigan University,
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
e-mail: hasel1y@cmich.edu
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K. Hornbostel
K. Hornbostel
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 19104
e-mail: hornbostel@pitt.edu
University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 19104
e-mail: hornbostel@pitt.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Y. Haseli
School of Engineering and Technology,
Central Michigan University,
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
e-mail: hasel1y@cmich.edu
Central Michigan University,
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
e-mail: hasel1y@cmich.edu
K. Hornbostel
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 19104
e-mail: hornbostel@pitt.edu
University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 19104
e-mail: hornbostel@pitt.edu
Contributed by the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY. Manuscript received May 7, 2018; final manuscript received July 2, 2018; published online August 9, 2018. Editor: Hameed Metghalchi.
J. Energy Resour. Technol. Jan 2019, 141(1): 014501 (6 pages)
Published Online: August 9, 2018
Article history
Received:
May 7, 2018
Revised:
July 2, 2018
Citation
Haseli, Y., and Hornbostel, K. (August 9, 2018). "Demonstration of an Inverse Relationship Between Thermal Efficiency and Specific Entropy Generation for Combustion Power Systems." ASME. J. Energy Resour. Technol. January 2019; 141(1): 014501. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4040793
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