Scientists and engineers are nowadays faced with the problem of optimizing complex systems subject to constraints from, ecology, economics, and thermodynamics. It is chiefly to the last of these that this volume is addressed. Intended for physicists, chemists, and engineers, the book uses examples from solar, thermal, mechanical, chemical, and environmental engineering to focus on the use of thermodynamic criteria for optimizing energy conversion and transmission. The early chapters centre on solar energy conversion, the second section discusses the transfer and conversion of chemical energy, while the concluding chapters deal with geometric methods in thermodynamics.
This comprehensive textbook covers engineering thermodynamics from beginner to advanced level. The presentation is concise, with material for about three full-term university courses on 700 pages, without compromising breadth or depth. First and second law of thermodynamics are developed from everyday observations with accessible and rational arguments. The laws of thermodynamics are applied to a multitude of systems and processes, from simple equilibration processes, over steam and gas power cycles, refrigerators and heat pumps, to chemical systems including fuel cells. Entropy and the second law are emphasized throughout, with focus on irreversible processes and work loss. Insightful development of theory is accompanied by detailed solutions of example problems, which teach the required technical skills while giving insight into the multitude of thermodynamic processes and applications. About 550 end-of-chapter problems highlight all important concepts and processes.
This textbook gives a thorough treatment of engineering thermodynamics with applications to classical and modern energy conversion devices. Some emphasis lies on the description of irreversible processes, such as friction, heat transfer and mixing and the evaluation of the related work losses. Better use of resources requires high efficiencies therefore the reduction of irreversible losses should be seen as one of the main goals of a thermal engineer. This book provides the necessary tools. Topics include: car and aircraft engines, including Otto, Diesel and Atkinson cycles, by-pass turbofan engines, ramjet and scramjet; steam and gas power plants, including advanced regenerative systems, solar tower and compressed air energy storage; mixing and separation, including reverse osmosis, osmotic power plants and carbon sequestration; phase equilibrium and chemical equilibrium, distillation, chemical reactors, combustion processes and fuel cells; the microscopic definition of entropy. The book includes about 300 end-of-chapter problems for homework assignments and exams. The material presented suffices for two or three full-term courses on thermodynamics and energy conversion.
This is a graduate level textbook in nanoscale heat transfer and energy conversion that can also be used as a reference for researchers in the developing field of nanoengineering. It provides a comprehensive overview of microscale heat transfer, focusing on thermal energy storage and transport. Chen broadens the readership by incorporating results from related disciplines, from the point of view of thermal energy storage and transport, and presents related topics on the transport of electrons, phonons, photons, and molecules. This book is part of the MIT-Pappalardo Series in Mechanical Engineering.
An excellent and unique generalized introduction to the fundamental principles of future solar energy systems, based on good and consistent physics. In describing the various conversions, the author makes use of endoreversible thermodynamics - a subset of irreversible thermodynamics. In this way, readers are supplied with the information to enable them to calculate the explicit values for a broad class of processes. Throughout, general principles are illustrated using idealized models, and end-of-chapter technological examples are merely presented so as to compare reality with theory. As such, no more than an undergraduate level of physics knowledge is assumed, together with a familiarity with SI units, and no differential equations are used.
This book presents material for a one semester course on Transport Phenomena for senior undergraduate and graduate students in engineering and applied sciences. The study of Transport Phenomena provides the common ground and explores the connections between Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat and Mass Transfer, thus giving a sound foundation for all transport equations in the broader area of Thermofluids. The chosen approach highlights the importance of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics, particularly the second law of thermodynamics, for the development of stable transport equations—global and local balance laws for mass, momentum, energy and entropy— for thermofluidic systems. The study of transport processes through solutions of the equations considers mostly simple materials in simple geometries to allow for analytical solutions. This accessible approach emphasizes the general understanding of Transport Phenomena, visualizes the interplay between the different branches of Thermofluids, and thus enhances the understanding of each field, as well as their interconnections. The material covers classical subjects such as Navier-Stokes-Fourier equations, wave propagation and diffusion, shocks and flames, and includes discussions of nonequilibrium interfaces and extended thermodynamics. Irreversible losses due to entropy generation are highlighted throughout, emphasizing the link to thermodynamics and energy systems. About 140 end-of-chapter problems of varied length and difficulty teach the required technical skills while giving further insight into the multitude of Transport Phenomena.
This textbook provides fundamental theoretical concepts for the understanding, modelling, and optimisation of energy conversion and storage devices. The discussion is based on the general footing of efficiency-power relations and energy-power relations (Ragone plots). The book is written for engineers and scientists with a bachelor-degree level of knowledge in physics.
Gang Chen provides an overview of microscale heat transfer, focusing on thermal energy storage and transport. He also presents related topics on the transport of electrons, phonons, photons and molecules and is part of the 'MIT-Pappalardo' series in mechanical engineering.
