Generalized ideal reference cycle for regenerative refrigeration: part 1 isothermal systems

A generalized ideal reference cycle for regenerative refrigeration systems is discussed. The cycle has isothermal processes of compression and expansion for heat addition to and heat rejection from the cycle. The regenerative processes are assumed to be partly constant volume and partly constant pressure processes. Equations are developed for cycle work, heat lifted, coefficient of performance and the pressure ratio: mean effective/maximum cycle pressures. Various special cases are deduced from the generalized analysis including the Stirling and Ericsson cycles.