A Class of Reduced-Order Regenerator Models

Raphael Paul and Karl Heinz Hoffmann
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Raphael Paul: Institut für Physik, Technische Universität Chemnitz, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
Karl Heinz Hoffmann: Institut für Physik, Technische Universität Chemnitz, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-25

Abstract: We present a novel class of reduced-order regenerator models that is based on Endoreversible Thermodynamics. The models rest upon the idea of an internally reversible (perfect) regenerator, even though they are not limited to the reversible description. In these models, the temperatures of the working gas that alternately streams out on the regenerator’s hot and cold sides are defined as functions of the state of the regenerator matrix. The matrix is assumed to feature a linear spatial temperature distribution. Thus, the matrix has only two degrees of freedom that can, for example, be identified with its energy and entropy content. The dynamics of the regenerator is correspondingly expressed in terms of balance equations for energy and entropy. Internal irreversibilities of the regenerator can be accounted for by introducing source terms to the entropy balance equation. Compared to continuum or nodal regenerator models, the number of degrees of freedom and numerical effort are reduced considerably. As will be shown, instead of the obvious choice of variables energy and entropy, if convenient, a different pair of variables can be used to specify the state of the regenerator matrix and formulate the regenerator’s dynamics. In total, we will discuss three variants of this endoreversible regenerator model, which we will refer to as ES , EE , and EEn -regenerator models.

Keywords: regenerator; numerical model; endoreversible thermodynamics; stirling; vuilleumier; irreversibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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