Thermodynamics - Regenerator Efficiency

[ConnorM]

Homework Statement

Hey I just have a question about regenerator efficiency. I have a problem where the efficiency of the regenerator in a Regenerative Brayton cycle is 0.75, the regenerator takes air in from a compressor which I called h₂=636.109 kJ/kg, air then leaves the regenerator and is now at h₃=590.1625 kJ/kg. The air then travels through a combustion chamber and then to a turbine. After this the air heads back to the regenerator at an enthalpy of h₅=574.847 kJ/kg. Once the air passes through the regenerator is is expelled to the ambient at some T₆ and h₆. I am thinking if I can find the h₆ I can simply interpolate to find T₆.
If some of my numbers do not make sense here is the question,

http://imgur.com/dnjS1MF

Homework Equations

e = regenerator efficiency = 0.75

e = (h₆ - h₅) / (h_6s - h₅)

From this website, http://www.mhtl.uwaterloo.ca/courses/me354/lectures/pdffiles/c8.pdf, on page 8 I have used this equation, ( The numbers used in the following equation correspond to the picture here )

http://imgur.com/dnjS1MF

e = (h₃ - h₂) / (h₅ - h₂)

The Attempt at a Solution

I have already solved the question up to this point but don't know what to do for this part. From the equation above h_6s is assuming the system is isentropic and there is no change in enthalpy between the exit and entrance to the regenerator, could I simply use

h₂ = h_6s

and since I know h₂ I can solve for h₆ ?

 

[SteamKing]

Homework Statement

Hey I just have a question about regenerator efficiency. I have a problem where the efficiency of the regenerator in a Regenerative Brayton cycle is 0.75, the regenerator takes air in from a compressor which I called h₂=636.109 kJ/kg, air then leaves the regenerator and is now at h₃=590.1625 kJ/kg.

This is the part I don't understand. According to your calculations, the regenerator is acting like a refrigerator, since the air exiting the compressor has a higher enthalpy than when it exits the regenerator and enters the combustor. It seems to me that in order to increase cycle efficiency, the air leaving the regenerator should have a higher enthalpy, which energy it has recovered from the exhaust gases, and which energy would normally be lost when the exhaust leaves the engine.

In other words, why are you using compressed intake air to heat the exhaust?