Relevance of the Second Law of Thermodynamics to energy conservation

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6883988

Use of the Second (2nd) Law of Thermodynamic concepts in energy system analysis is assessed. The basic advantage of using the 2nd law and availability concepts is that, while the First Law of Thermodynamics considers all energy quantities with equal weight, the 2nd law (and the entropy concept) distinguishes a grade or quality of the energy being considered as well as quantity. From this distinction flow two important considerations: (1) the losses at each point in a system can be assessed and measured in units that are directly proportional to input or purchased fuel energy; and (2) the minimum energy required to perform a given function or process is ascertainable as well as the maximum energy available from a given source. These considerations represent valuable analysis tools and compel consideration of the 2nd law in the analysis of energy systems. The use of 2nd law concepts is certainly not new or neglected. Practitioners in the energy field make implicit use of these ideas in the design and operation of most contemporary energy systems. The question is addressed here of whether explicit use of these ideas can provide any new or overlooked benefits in the design, operation, and reporting of energy using systems. To address the explicit use of 2nd law concepts, three areas of concern were chosen: energy monitoring; process and system design and modification; and component design and modification.

• Research Organization: National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC (USA); General Energy Associates, Cherry Hill, NJ (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AT01-79CS40178
• OSTI ID: 6883988
• Report Number(s): DOE/CS/40178-1(Vol.2)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ENERGY ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
THERMODYNAMICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENTROPY
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT UNITS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
MONITORING
CONVERSION
EFFICIENCY
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
290100* - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Analysis & Modeling
291000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Conservation
320000 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization