Irreversible cycle in linear irreversible thermodynamics

The reversible Carnot cycle in reversible thermodynamics is composed of two reversible heat exchange processes and two reversible adiabatic processes. We construct an irreversible cycle in linear irreversible thermodynamics by analogy with the reversible Carnot cycle. The irreversible cycle is composed of two linear irreversible heat exchange processes and two linear irreversible adiabatic processes. It is found that the Curzon-Alhborn efficiency can be attained if the power for each of the four linear irreversible processes reaches its maximum. The maximum efficiency is the Carnot efficiency. The strong coupling condition is prerequisite for the respective attainment of the Curzon-Alhborn efficiency and the Carnot efficiency.