Power generation from a new air-based Marnoch heat engine

► This paper presents a thermodynamic analysis and experimental data for a Marnoch heat engine (MHE). ► The MHE has an efficiency of about thirty percent of a Carnot heat engine between 272 K and 372 K. ► Experimental data is successfully compared to the predictive model. ► The MHE shows promising performance for generation of electricity from waste heat sources.