A New Realistic Characteristics of Real Energy Conversion Process: A Contribution of Finite Size Thermodynamics

Abstract

The perfection of the energy conversion process is currently gauged through a kind of quality indicator that compares the real performance of the process to that of the ideal reversible Carnot process. The criteria resulting from this commonly used approach give a false idea as to the real quality of the energy conversion process. Indeed, the real energy conversion process that generates true energetic power levels is compared to the ideal associated Carnot process, which generates a zero-output power level. The real conversion process implementing finite heat exchanger areas is then compared to the ideal process that needs an infinite heat exchanger area to fulfill the same power requirements. This paper presents a new thermo-economic approach, based on Finite Size Thermodynamics, that is more suitable for qualifying real energy conversion processes. This approach takes into account the external thermodynamic irreversibilities relative to the heat transfer rate through a finite size heat exchanger surface between the external heat sources or sinks and an ideal process without internal thermodynamic irreversibilities. This new approach enables a more realistical evaluation of ideal performances of real energy conversion processes. It makes possible the definition of new criteria that characterize more reasonably the quality of a real thermal process compared with the corresponding endoreversible process the same power duty (performance criterion) or the same involved total heat exchanger surface (technical criterion).