The influence of nonlinear flow resistance relations on the power and efficiency from fluid flow

Abstract

The endoreversible thermodynamic theory of heat engines is extended to fluid flow power converters. The relation between power output and efficiency, which involves the maximum (reversible) efficiency (with zero power output) as well as the maximum power and the corresponding efficiency bound, is derived based on the nonlinear flow resistance relations. Some modification to the results from recent literature is performed, and a theory of generalized thermodynamic optimization is provided.