Maximizing specific work output extracted from engine exhaust with novel inverted Brayton cycles over a large range of operating conditions

The heat contained in internal combustion engine exhaust gases can be converted into mechanical energy by using an Inverted Brayton Cycle (IBC). In this paper, five different IBC versions are numerically modeled and optimized to maximize their specific work output: (i) basic IBC, (ii) IBC with liquid water drainage (IBC/D), (iii) IBC with liquid water drainage and a steam turbine (IBC/D/S), (iv) IBC with liquid water drainage and a refrigeration...