Analysis of thermal power cycles for use in space
Abstract
This analysis focuses on the evaluation and analysis of thermal Brayton, Ericsson,
and Rankine cycle. Under the examined conditions, the thermal efficiency, the exergy
efficiency and power produced for each cycle should be calculated and analyzed.
Production of power in space for terrestrial use is of great interest in view of the
rapidly rising power demand. Space can be the most interesting area that can be discovered
because space can offer very low temperature that cannot be offered by the earth surface.
This analysis also used different types of fluids for all cycles which is argon(Ar),
nitrogen(N2), argon-xenon(Ar-Xe), helium(He), helium-xenon(He-Xe), and hydrogen(H2).
Only the first two fluids which is argon and nitrogen were considered for Rankine cycle.