Chambadal, Novikov, Curzon and Ahlborn have shown that the efficiency of an irreversible heat engine at maximum power output is 1−(TL/TH)1/2. This article describes several heat engine models in which the same efficiency formula can be derived by minimizing the rate of entropy generation. Included in the entropy generation is the usually overlooked contribution made by the components that provide a freely varying heat input to the power cycle.

Topics
Power plants, Entropy, Heat engines
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1996 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1996
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to the American Journal of Physics and The Physics Teacher as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.