Thermodynamics of Continua

Abstract

In the classical work by Onsager in 1931[22] the exact fundamentals of the thermodynamic theory of irreversible processes were laid down already. Because of the summarizing works of Prigogine [17, 23], Meixner [4, 24], Denbigh [25], Haase [26, 27], Gyarmati [28], Fitts [13], Guminski [29], Rysselberghe [30], and particularly by de Groot’s monographs [3,8] at present we have a well-founded theory which at the same time is applicable to solutions of practical problems. While describing this theory (which is often called irreversible thermodynamics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics or Onsager’s theory) in terms of the concepts of field theory, the first task is the reformulation of the fundamental laws of classical thermodynamics (reversible or equilibrium theory the most appropriate name of which is thermostatics) in local forms. For such a formulation—it has to be assumed—beyond the postulates of classical field theory only that for the volume elements (cells) of a continuum the hypothesis of local (cellular) equilibrium is valid. Accordingly, after the local formulation of the first and second law, the hypothesis of local equilibrium, further its validity limits for the case of non-equilibrium systems are dealt with.