Dynamic properties in an endoreversible Curzon–Ahlborn engine using a van der Waals gas as working substance

In this work we analyze the stability of an endoreversible Curzon–Ahlborn engine, using a van der Waals gas as working substance and the corresponding efficiency for such an engine. From the local stability analysis we find that a critical point of an almost linear system is stable. After arbitrary small perturbation, the system state exponentially decays to a critical point with either of two characteristic relaxation times that are a function of the thermal conductance (α), heat capacity (C) and τ=T2/T1. The behavior of relaxation times and solution of the systems are shown qualitatively by sketching its phase portrait. Finally we discuss the local stability and steady state energetic properties of the endoreversible engine.