The Alvarez Cycle: Achieving 97% Total System Efficiency via Integrated Rotational Detonation and Multi-Stage Exergy Recovery.

Current hydrocarbon energy conversion cycles are fundamentally limited by high-entropy exhaust and mechanical friction, rarely exceeding a 30% electrical efficiency threshold. This paper introduces the Alvarez Cycle, a novel thermodynamic sequence designed to achieve near-lossless energy transition. By utilizing the RH-97 architecture—a system integrating catalytic steam reforming, pressurized electrochemical stripping, and supersonic rotational detonation—we demonstrate a total system efficiency of 97.04%. The cycle successfully captures 32.70 kWh of useful work (electrical and thermal) from a 33.70 kWh gasoline input, effectively minimizing exergy destruction to the thermodynamic floor.