Exergy optimisation of a Brayton cycle-based cogeneration plant

An endoreversible Brayton cycle-based cogeneration plant has been optimised based on the dimensionless total exergy output rate criterion with a constraint on power-to-heat ratio. An optimal pressure ratio parameter and the maximum dimensionless total exergy output rate have been numerically determined. The optimisation results have been compared with those based on the total useful energy rate criterion. It shows that a cogeneration plant based on the maximum total exergy output rate criterion has higher total exergy output rate and smaller pressure ratio while lower exergy efficiency than that based on the maximum total useful energy rate criterion.