Another View on the Optimization of the Brayton Cycle with Recuperator

Original scientific paper Nondimensional expressions for the work output, thermal efficiency, heat input, and entropy generation number in the Brayton cycle with a recuperator are given as functions of seven input parameters: pressure ratio, temperature ratio, recuperator effectiveness, turbine and compressor isentropic efficiencies, nondimensional pressure drop in the combustor and recuperator and the ratio of specific heat capacities. The expressions for pressure ratios which maximize or minimize the considered quantities are derived. Since it is not possible to maximize all the quantities at a unique value of pressure ratio, three optimization criteria: (i) maximum work output, (ii) maximum thermal efficiency, and (iii) maximum of their weighted sum are defined. For each criterion two diagrams from which one can select optimal pressure ratio and read out all basic quantities defining the Brayton cycle are provided. In the case of criterion of maximum thermal efficiency, when the recuperator effectiveness is lower than the certain limit, the Brayton cycle without a recuperator is better than that with it. In the case of other two criteria, the Brayton cycle with a recuperator is always better than that without it, regardless of the value of the recuperator effectiveness.