Energy Conversion Engineering Towards Low CO2 Power and Fuels

Thermodynamics is central to the analysis of energy conversion processes and systems. Although excluding rate processes, equilibrium thermodynamics’ analysis can be used to examine the efficiency and specific work of a process or a series of processes executing work and heat transfer interactions with other systems, experiencing mass transfer, undergoing chemical and electrochemical reactions, or a combination of all of these events. Non-equilibrium and rate processes can indeed impact efficiency, and are necessary to determine the power as well as other performance measures such as size and emissions. Non-equilibrium effects will be examined in later chapters. In this chapter, the basic laws of equilibrium thermodynamics are reviewed, with an emphasis on some of the origins of the different statements, the meaning of the quantities appearing in these laws, the most relevant forms of the laws to be used in analysis of energy conversion, and some conclusions regarding how these systems should be designed. The early coverage is independent of the working fluid, and focuses on the energy conversion process. Pure substance, ideal gases, and mixtures of ideal gases and their equations of state are also mentioned.