Thermodynamic Performance Characteristics of an Irreversible Micro-Brownian Heat Engine Driven by Temperature Difference

Based on the master equation describing the particles jump among barriers, the expressions of current, efficiency and power output of the heat engine are derived analytically. The general performance characteristic curves are plotted from the numerical calculation. It is found that the power output-efficiency curve is a loop-shaped one which is similar to the one for a real irreversible heat engine. When the heat flow via the kinetic energy is neglected, the power output-efficiency curve is an open-shaped one which is similar to the one for an endroeversible heat engine.