Fundamentals of exergy analysis, entropy generation minimization, and the generation of flow architecture

Abstract

The principles of exergy analysis and entropy generation minimization (also known as 
thermodynamic optimization—the minimizing of exergy destruction) are presented in 
this work. The concepts of irreversibility, entropy production, and exergy annihilation 
are reviewed at the beginning of the study. Examples show how energy fluxes and 
buildup are accounted for in power and refrigeration plants, heat transfer processes, 
closed systems, and open systems. The designer searches for better thermodynamic 
performance under certain environmental circumstances and finite-size restrictions due 
to the proportionality between exergy destruction and entropy formation. Solar energy, 
sensible heat and latent heat energy storage systems, and the production of maximum 
power in a power plant model with limited heat transfer surface inventory are used as 
examples. It is shown that the process of global thermodynamic optimization under 
global constraints gives rise to the system's physical structure (geometric configuration, 
topology). This idea creates structure in physics, biology, and engineering (constructal 
theory). All rights reserved. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 2002.