Thermodynamic Optimization of Complex Energy Systems

A comprehensive assessment of the methodologies of thermodynamic optimization, exergy analysis and thermoeconomics, and their application to the design of efficient and environmentally sound energy systems. The chapters are organized in a sequence that begins with pure thermodynamics and progresses towards the blending of thermodynamics with other disciplines, such as heat transfer and cost accounting. Three methods of analysis stand out: entropy generation minimization, exergy (or availability) analysis, and thermoeconomics.
The book reviews current directions in a field that is both extremely important and intellectually alive. Additionally, new directions for research on thermodynamics and optimization are revealed.

Presentation of the Foundations of Thermodynamics in about Twelve One-Hour Lectures.- Pictorial Visualization of The Entropy of Thermodynamics.- Thermodynamic Optimization of Inanimate and Animate Flow Systems.- Constructal Flow Geometry Optimization.- Fundamentals of Exergy Analysis and Exergy-Aided Thermal Systems Design.- Strengths and Limitations of Exergy Analysis.- Design Optimization Using Exergoeconomics.- On-Line Thermoeconomic Diagnosis of Thermal Power Plants.- Exergy in Thermal Systems Analysis.- Allocation of Finite Energetic Resources Via an Exergetic Costing Method.- Optimisation of Turbomachinary Components by Constrained Minimisation of the Local Entropy Production Rate.- Available Energy Versus Entropy.- Exergy Analysis in the Process Industry.- Exergetic Life Cycle Analysis of Components in a System.- The Intimate Connection Between Exergy and the Environment.- Effect of Variation of Environmental Conditions on Exergy and on Power Conversion.- Bond Graphs and Influence Coefficients Applications.- Repowering Options for Existing Power Plants.- Cogeneration Based on Gas Turbines, Gas Engines and Fuel Cells.- Gas Dynamics Cycles of Thermal and Refrigerating Machines.- Energy Saving Techniques in Distillation Thermodynamic Efficiency and Energy Conservation.- Second Law Based Optimization of Systems with Thermomechanialdissipative Processes.- Solar Energy Conversion into Work: Simple Upper Bound Efficiencies.- Thermodynamic Approach to the Optimization of Central Solar Energy Systems.- Thermodynamic optimization in ocean thermal energy conversion.- How to unify solar energy conveters and Carnot engines.- Optimal Control for Multistage Endoreversible Engines with Heat and Mass Transfer.- Thermodynamics and Optimization of Reverse Cycle Machines.- Synthesison Stirling Engine Optimization.- Minimizing Losses—Tools of Finite-Time Thermodynamics.- Physics Versus Engineering of Finite-Time Thermodynamic Models and Optimizations.- Optimization and Simulation of Time Dependent Heat Driven Refrigerators with Continuous Temperature Control.- Intelligent Computer-Aided Design, Analysis, Optimization and Improvement of Thermodynamic Systems.- A Study of the Large Oscillations of the Thermodynamic Pendullum by the Method of Cubication.- Author Index.