Efficiency analysis of a repetitive pulsed-laser heating

The present study examines the entropy generation during cooling and heating cycles of repetitive pulsed-laser heating. Two repetitive pulses are introduced in the analysis. The possible thermal integration occurring at the workpiece surface due to repetitive pulse heating is then related to the second-law efficiency of the heating process. It is found that the cooling periods and low intensity decay rate result in a low total entropy generation number. The optimal cooling period satisfying the condition for the thermal integration does not result in the highest second law efficiency. C 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rigths reserved.