Maximum work configuration of finite potential source endoreversible non-isothermal chemical engines

• Published in: Journal of non-equilibrium thermodynamics Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 41 - 53
• Main Authors: Chen, Lingen, Xia, Shaojun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 01.01.2023; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Chemical industry; Chemical potential; Configurations; Control theory; endoreversible non-isothermal chemical engine; Engines; finite potential source; Finite time thermodynamics; Heat exchangers; Heat resistance; linear irreversible thermodynamics; Mass transfer; maximum work output; Optimal control; Photovoltaic cells; System effectiveness; Thermal resistance; Working fluids
• ISSN: 0340-0204; 1437-4358
• DOI: 10.1515/jnet-2022-0045

Chemical engine is an abstract model of some devices, such as solid state, photochemical, and electrochemical devices, photovoltaic cell, and mass exchangers. Finite chemical-potential source is one of its features. Finite time thermodynamics provides effective theoretical tool for determining performance limits for given thermal systems, and determining optimal process paths of thermal systems for given performance objectives. Endoreversible model is its basic model. A model of endoreversible non-isothermal chemical engines operating between a finite chemical-potential source and an infinite chemical-potential sink with mass resistance and heat resistance is established. Mass transfer processes between chemical potential reservoir and working fluid of the model are assumed to obey Onsager equations in linear irreversible thermodynamics. With a fixed cycle period, optimal cycle configuration for the maximum work output of the model is derived by applying optimal control theory. The results obtained include optimal performance and optimal path results in many previous literatures, and can provide some theoretical guidelines for optimal designs of practical chemical plants.