Irreversibility in energy processes: Non-dimensional quantification and balance

Abstract

The concept of thermodynamic efficiency (ratio of real cycle efficiency by Carnot efficiency) is well-known. The concept of numbers of entropy-production and of exergy-loss proposed by A. Bejan are also known, but rarely used. The present study firstly evidences that these two last numbers are actually identical, thus being a common number of irreversibility, independent of the method used for obtaining it. The study also evidences a non-dimensional irreversibility balance that applies to any energy conversion process. This balance correlates the thermodynamic efficiency of a whole process (which in most cases equals the exergetic efficiency) and the numbers of irreversibility of the different components or sub-processes involved in this process. Moreover, the basic additivity of entropy-productions and exergy-losses is maintained in this balance. This balance applies to the basic cycles (heat-engines, refrigerators, heat-pumps and heat-transformers), either work- or heat-powered. It also applies to more complex cycles (heat-powered cycles consuming electricity, four-temperature heat-powered cycles, cogeneration processes), thus giving a robust framework for analyzing these cycles.