Power optimization of an endoreversible Brayton gas heat engine

The power output of a simple endoreversible Brayton gas heat engine is analyzed and optimized. The endoreversible engine is defined as a power cycle in which the two processes of heat transfer from and to the surrounding heat reservoirs are the only irreversible processes in the Brayton cycle. A mathematical expression is derived for the power output of the irreversible heat engine. The power optimization provides the basis for designing a real gas heat engine and for a performance comparison with existing Brayton power plants.