| Abstract: | It is known that an engine with ideal efficiency (η = 1 for a chemical engineand e =eCarnot for a thermal one) has zero powerbecause a reversible cycle takes an infinite time. However, at least from a theoreticalpoint of view, it is possible to conceive (irreversible) engines with nonzero power thatcan reach ideal efficiency. Here this is achieved by replacing the usual linear transportlaw by a sublinear one and taking the step-function limit for the particle current(chemical engine) or heat current (thermal engine) versus the applied force. It is shownthat in taking this limit exact thermodynamic inequalities relating the currents to theentropy production are not violated. |
