Endoreversible thermodynamics (Q1127735)

Irreversibilities are unavoidable in all energy transformation processes taking place in a finite time. Therefore, their effects must be necessarily included in realistic descriptions of such processes. This aim has raised much theoretical and practical development, for instance, in the so-called finite-time thermodynamics, which is a useful branch of nonequilibrium thermodynamics [\textit{S. Sieniutycz} and \textit{P. Salamon}, Finite-time thermodynamics and thermo-economics, Advances in Thermodynamics 4, Taylor and Francis, New York (1990); \textit{A. de Vos}, Endoreversible Thermodynamics of solar energy conversion, Oxford University Press, Oxford; \textit{A. Bejan}, Entropy generation minimization. The method of thermodynamic optimization of finite-size systems and finite-time processes. Mechanical Engineering Series. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press (1996; Zbl 0864.76001)]. In these approaches it is often assumed that the system is a network of internally reversible (endoreversible) subsystems which exchange energy irreversibly, i.e. irreversibilities are confined to the interactions between the subsystems. This review paper provides a panoramic view on endoreversible thermodynamics as applied to time-independent stationary and cyclically operating engines. The paper, which is clear, illustrative, and pedagogical, discusses in detail the role of different heat transfer laws in the entropy production in endoreversible heat engines, refrigerators and heat pumps. Engine cycles different from the Carnot cycle are considered, and some internal sources of irreversibility as well as the design optimization for such systems are discussed. Combined and staged systems comprising several subsystems are reviewed and their performance is analyzed in selected applications (absorption refrigerator, thermoelectric generator, solar to wind energy conversion, solar thermal engines, solar cells, chemical engines\dots). 170 references are given. The paper is, in summary, a good update to this topic.