Abstract
The optimal ecological performance of an irreversible Carnot heat pump with the losses of heat resistance, heat leak and internal irreversibility, in which heat transfer between the working fluid and the heat reservoirs obeys a generalized heat transfer law q∝(ΔT)n,is derived by considering an ecological optimization criterion as the objective function, which consists of maximizing a function representing the best compromise between the exergy output rate and exergy loss rate (entropy production rate) of the heat pump. Some special examples are discusses.A numerical example is given to show the effects of heat transfer law, heat leakage and internal irreversibility on the optimal performance of the generalized irreversible heat pump. The results can provide some theoretical guidance for the design of practical heat pumps.