Second-law analysis and optimisation for combined Brayton and inverse Brayton cycles

SYNOPSIS A second-law analysis has been carried out for combined Brayton and inverse Brayton cycles. The analytical formulae of exergy balance, exergy and work output, exergy efficiency, optimal exergy efficiency and minimum exergy loss, and optimal expansion pressure of the bottom cycle are derived. The largest exergy loss location is determined. The influences of various parameters on the optimal exergy efficiency, minimum exergy loss and other performances are analysed by numerical examples.