Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-qxdb6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-27T16:43:56.786Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

2 - Exergy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 March 2021

Efstathios Michaelides
Efstathios Michaelides
Affiliation:
Texas Christian University
Get access

Summary

Mechanical energy is the most useful energy form to humans. This motivates the question: given an energy resource – fossil or nuclear fuel, wind, solar, geothermal – what is the maximum mechanical energy one may extract? A similar question is: what is the difference between the low-temperature waste heat of a nuclear power plant and the high-temperature heat in the nuclear reactor? The combination of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, in conjunction with the characteristics of the environment where energy conversion processes occur, offers a definitive answer to these and similar questions: exergy is the thermodynamic variable that describes the maximum mechanical work that may be extracted from energy resources, the concept that quantifies the quality of energy. This chapter elucidates the concept of exergy and its relationship to the energy resources. It derives useful expressions for the exergy of primary energy sources including: fossil fuels, geothermal, solar, wind, hydraulic, tidal, wave, and nuclear. The effects of the environment on the exergy of energy sources, the energy conversion processes, and the exergetic efficiencies of the processes are also elucidated.

Keywords

maximum workmaximum powerchemical exergysemipermeable membranesradiation exergywind exergytidal exergynuclear exergyexergetic efficiencymodel of environment
Type
Chapter
Information
Exergy Analysis for Energy Conversion Systems , pp. 25 - 78
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Kestin, J., Availability – The Concept and Associated Terminology. Energy, 5 (1980), 679–92.Google Scholar
Michaelides, E. E., Exergy and the Conversion of Energy. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, 12 (1984), 65–9.Google Scholar
Michaelides, E. E., The Concept of Available Work as Applied to the Conservation of Fuel Resources, Proc. 14th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, paper 799376, ACS, 1162–6, Boston, August 1979.Google Scholar
Keenan, J. H., Thermodynamics, reprint 1970 (New York: Willey, 1941).Google Scholar
Kestin, J., A Course in Thermodynamics, vol. 1 (Waltham, MA: Blaisdell, 1966).Google Scholar
Keenan, J. H., A Steam Chart for Second Law Analysis. A Study of Thermodynamics Availability in a Steam Power Plant. Mechanical Engineering, 54 (1932), 195–204.Google Scholar
Modell, M. and Reid, R. C., Thermodynamics and Its Applications, 2nd ed. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1983).Google Scholar
Moran, M. J., Availability Analysis (New York: ASME Press, 1989).Google Scholar
Dincer, I. and Rosen, M. A., Exergy – Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2007).Google Scholar
Bejan, A., Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2006).Google Scholar
Patel, S., Statkraft Shelves Osmotic Power Project, Power Magazine, March 1, 2014.Google Scholar
Petela, R., Exergy of Heat Radiation. Journal of Heat Transfer, 86 (1964),187–92.Google Scholar
REN21, Renewables 2016 Global Status Report (Paris: REN21 Secretariat, 2016).Google Scholar
Jeter, S. J., Maximum Conversion Efficiency for the Utilization of Direct Solar Radiation. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 26 (1981), 231–6.Google Scholar
Bejan, A., Unification of Three Different Theories Concerning the Ideal Conversion of Enclosed Radiation. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 109 (1987), 46–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Michaelides, E. E., Energy, the Environment, and Sustainability (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2018).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Michaelides, E. E., Alternative Energy Sources (New York: Springer, 2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
El-Wakil, M. M., Power Plant Technology (New York: McGraw Hill, 1984).Google Scholar
Betz, A.. Schraubenpropeller mit Geringstem Energieverlust, (mit einem Zusatz von L. Prandtl) Nachrichten von der Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, Mathematisch-Physikalische Klasse, (1919) 193–217.Google Scholar
Bennet, D. J., The Elements of Nuclear Power (London: Longmans, 1972).Google Scholar
Onsager, L., Reciprocal Relations in Irreversible Processes. I. Physical Review Journal, 37 (1931), 405–26.Google Scholar
Onsager, L., Reciprocal Relations in Irreversible Processes. II. Physical Review Journal, 37 (1931), 2265–79.Google Scholar
Kasimir, H. B. G., On Onsager’s Principle of Microscopic Reversibility. Reviews of Modern Physics, 17(1945), 343–50.Google Scholar
Kestin, J., A Course in Thermodynamics, vol. 2, (Washington DC: Hemisphere, 1979).Google Scholar
Miller, D. G., Thermodynamics of Irreversible Processes: The Experimental Verification of the Onsager Reciprocal Relations. Chemical Reviews, 60 (1960), 15–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Demirel, Y. and Sandler, S. I., Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics in Engineering and Science. Journal of Chemical Physics, 33 (1960), 28–31.Google Scholar
Schlichting, H., Boundary Layer Theory, 8th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1978).Google Scholar
Bird, R. B., Stewart, W. E., and Lightfoot, E. N., Transport Phenomena (New York: Wiley, 1960).Google Scholar
Michaelides, E. E., Particles, Bubbles, and Drops – Their Motion, Heat and Mass Transfer (New Jersey: World Scientific, 2006).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lior, N. and Zhang, N., Energy, Exergy, and Second Law Performance Criteria. Energy, 32 (2007), 281–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sarmiento, S. L. and Wofsy, S. C., A US Carbon Cycle Plan (Washington DC: US Global Change Research Program, 1999).Google Scholar
Ochsner, K., Geothermal Heat Pumps – A Guide for Planning and Installing (London: Earthscan, 2008).Google Scholar
Wilcox, S., National Solar Radiation Database 1991–2010 Update: User’s Manual, Technical Report NREL/TP-5500-54824 (August 2012).Google Scholar
Ahrendts, J., Reference States. Energy-The International Journal, 5 (1980), 667–77.Google Scholar
Szargut, J., Morris, D. R., and Steward, F., Exergy Analysis of Thermal, Chemical, and Metallurgical Processes (New York: Hemisphere, 1988).Google Scholar
Szargut, J., Exergy Method – Technical and Ecological Applications (Boston, MA: MIT Press, 2005).Google Scholar
Van Gool, W., Thermodynamics and Chemical References for Exergy Analysis, Florence World Energy Research Symposium, Florence, Italy, SGE Editoriali (1997), 949–57.Google Scholar
Munoz, J. R. and Michaelides, E. E., The Impact of the Model of the Environment in Exergy Analyses. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 121 (1999), 268–76.Google Scholar
Biot, J. B., Traité de physique expérimentale et mathématique, 4th vol. (Paris: Detervill, 1816).Google Scholar
Carnot, S., Reflexions sur la Puissance Motrice du Feu, et sur les Machines Propres à developer ceite Puissance (Paris: Bachelier, 1824).Google Scholar
Gibbs, J. W., A Method of Geometrical Representation of the Thermodynamic Properties of Substances by Means of Surfaces. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy II, (1873), 382–404.Google Scholar
Gibbs, J. W., The Collected Works of J. W. Gibbs (New York: Green and Co., 1928).Google Scholar
Tait, P. G., Sketch of Thermodynamics (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1868).Google Scholar
Gouy, M., Sur l’ Energie Utilisable. Journal de Physique Archives, 8 (1889), 501–18.Google Scholar
Stodola, A., Steam and Gas Turbines (transl. by Lowenstein, L.K.), vol. II (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1927).Google Scholar
Darrieus, G., The Rational Definition of Steam Turbine Efficiencies. Engineering, 130 (1930), 283–85.Google Scholar
Hatsopoulos, G. N. and Keenan, J. H., Principles of General Thermodynamics (Malabar, FL: Krieger, 1965).Google Scholar
Rant, Z., Exergie, Ein Neues Wort für “Technische Arbeitsfähigkeit.” Forschung im Ingenieurwesen, 22 (1956), 36–42.Google Scholar
Baehr, H. D., Definition und Berechnung von Exergie und Anergie. Brennstoff-Wärme-Kraft, 17 (1965), 1–6.Google Scholar
Evans, R. B., A Proof that Essergy Is the Only Consistent Measure of Potential Work (for Chemical Systems), Ph. D. Thesis, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (1969). (University Microfilms 70–188, Ann Arbor, MI).Google Scholar
Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences Committee, A Common Scale for Our Common Future: Exergy, a Thermodynamic Metric for Energy, Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences Committee Opinion Paper, Science Europe, Brussels (Sept. 2015).Google Scholar
Zevenhoven, R., Fagerlund, J., and Songok, J. K., CO2 Mineral Sequestration: Developments toward Large-Scale Application. GHG: Science and Technology, 1, (2011), 48–57.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

  • Exergy
  • Efstathios Michaelides, Texas Christian University
  • Book: Exergy Analysis for Energy Conversion Systems
  • Online publication: 19 March 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108635684.003
Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

  • Exergy
  • Efstathios Michaelides, Texas Christian University
  • Book: Exergy Analysis for Energy Conversion Systems
  • Online publication: 19 March 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108635684.003
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Exergy
  • Efstathios Michaelides, Texas Christian University
  • Book: Exergy Analysis for Energy Conversion Systems
  • Online publication: 19 March 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108635684.003
Available formats
×