An introduction to thermodynamics of renewable cycles for direct solar energy conversion
Mechanical energy is known to be converted into thermal form (heat) without any restriction. Any opposite conversion of heat into mechanical energy owing to work produced in the heat engines has been restricted by principle of Carnot. This communication is to introduce into the elements of thermodynamics for direct energy conversion of light into mechanical energy. The aim is to explain: why without any machines, the efficiency of conversion is able to be by many orders of magnitude greater than the efficiency of direct mechanical action of light given in framework of equilibrium radiation thermodynamics. The development of such a concept is to find out an actual fundamental restriction for the maximum conversion available in several new solar renewable technologies for both direct generation of mechanical vibrations and for extraction of pure water from mixtures owing to self-organization of heat cycles. In order to involve solar light under non-equilibrium with respect to matter as a motive power within thermodynamics, the principle of Carnot for heat engines is assumed to be also valid for renewable processes (cycles). The absorbing part of condensed matter by optical pumping is considered as a heat source for production of entropy by heat-transfer into dark surrounding that plays role of heat sink. Principle of Carnot is used together with common accepted definition of non-equilibrium entropy in order to describe the excitement of heat source and its next relaxation. The new formulation of Carnot theorem and fundamental maximum of renewable conversion is derived. The simplest system of two equal bodies with difference temperatures is considered to show how to find the maximum energy available for renewable conversion. The major difference between equilibrium (reversible) thermodynamics and proposed renewable (non-equilibrium) approach is discussed on this example together with a typical mathematical paradox.
- Research Organization:
- General Physics Institute, Moscow (RU)
- OSTI ID:
- 20000218
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 33rd Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, Colorado Springs, CO (US), 08/02/1998--08/06/1998; Other Information: 1 CD-ROM. Operating system required: Windows 3.x; Windows 95/NT; Macintosh; UNIX. All systems need 2X CD-ROM drive., PBD: 1998; Related Information: In: Proceedings of the 33. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, by Anghaie, S. [ed.], [2800] pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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