Chapter 4 - Applications of exergy in industry

Abstract

Many researchers and practicing engineers refer to exergy methods as powerful tools for analyzing, assessing, designing, improving, and optimizing systems and processes. Therefore, the exergy methods are used in some industries. Exergy analysis is first and foremost a technical tool for guiding efficiency-improvement efforts in engineering and related fields; one would expect industry to wholeheartedly embrace the use of exergy. However, exergy analysis is used only sparingly by many industries, and not at all by others. Exergy analysis for sustainable buildings is concerned with all exergy aspects of energy and power utilization of systems and equipment for comfort and service, assessment of their impact on the environment, and development of analysis techniques, methodologies, and solutions for environmentally safer, sustainable low-exergy buildings. The study provides a strong indication that industries and engineers are now more keen than ever to improve their performance by utilizing exergy methods. The benefits of exergy analysis are numerous, especially compared to energy analysis. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of exergy methods are examined. The concerns about exergy are in reality barriers that can—and in fact should—be overcome to increase industry's adoption of exergy. The use of exergy can benefit not only industry but also society.