Maximum power density analysis of an irreversible Joule - Brayton engine

A performance analysis based on a power density criterion has been carried out for an irreversible Joule - Brayton (JB) heat engine. The results obtained were compared with those of a power performance criterion. It is shown that design parameters at maximum power density lead to smaller and more efficient JB engines than an engine working at maximum power output conditions. Due to irreversibilities in the heat engine, the power and thermal efficiency will reduce by a certain amount, however the maximum power density conditions still give a better performance than at the maximum power output conditions. The analysis demonstrated in this paper may provide a basis for the determination of optimal operating conditions and the design parameters for real JB heat engines.