Thermal analyses and optimizations are very ubiquitous and important in academic research and engineering applications. In this field, the entropy generation minimization has been widely used and found to be effective in many cases. Sometimes, it was even used without checking the applicability, and seemed to be a unified theory that could solve all thermal problems. Is this really the case? This book answers this question through detailed theoretical derivations and different numerical examples in heat transfer and heat-work conversion. It shows clearly that the theory has limitations and a definite application scope, beyond which it may provide unreasonable or incorrect results. Therefore, the entropy generation minimization is far from perfect. This book will be of interest to students, researchers and engineers in thermal science and engineering, as it will help the reader to apply the entropy generation minimization correctly.

In this book, the author introduces an alternative perspective to understand thermal phenomena, the concept of entransy and its relevant principles, applications and extensions, which have been widely used in the analyses and optimizations of many transport processes. The scientific significance and application value of the theory have been clearly demonstrated. The theory is inevitably questioned, and there are even accusations that are not academically valid. These controversies are also introduced and discussed comprehensively. This book is an introduction to the entransy theory; the author has only selected a few cases that are sufficient to show the advantages and necessity of the application of the theory. This book is helpful to the undergraduates, graduates, teachers, engineers, scientists and researchers in thermal science and engineering.

Thermal analyses and optimizations are very ubiquitous and important in academic research and engineering applications. In this field, the entropy generation minimization has been widely used and found to be effective in many cases. Sometimes, it was even used without checking the applicability, and seemed to be a unified theory that could solve all thermal problems. Is this really the case? This book answers this question through detailed theoretical derivations and different numerical examples in heat transfer and heat-work conversion. It shows clearly that the theory has limitations and a definite application scope, beyond which it may provide unreasonable or incorrect results. Therefore, the entropy generation minimization is far from perfect. This book will be of interest to students, researchers and engineers in thermal science and engineering, as it will help the reader to apply the entropy generation minimization correctly.

The 8-volume set contains the Proceedings of the 25th ECOS 2012 International Conference, Perugia, Italy, June 26th to June 29th, 2012. ECOS is an acronym for Efficiency, Cost, Optimization and Simulation (of energy conversion systems and processes), summarizing the topics covered in ECOS: Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer, Exergy and Second Law Analysis, Process Integration and Heat Exchanger Networks, Fluid Dynamics and Power Plant Components, Fuel Cells, Simulation of Energy Conversion Systems, Renewable Energies, Thermo-Economic Analysis and Optimisation, Combustion, Chemical Reactors, Carbon Capture and Sequestration, Building/Urban/Complex Energy Systems, Water Desalination and Use of Water Resources, Energy Systems- Environmental and Sustainability Issues, System Operation/ Control/Diagnosis and Prognosis, Industrial Ecology.

Nanofluids are solid-liquid composite material consisting of solid nanoparticles suspended in liquid with enhanced thermal properties. This book introduces basic fluid mechanics, conduction and convection in fluids, along with nanomaterials for nanofluids, property characterization, and outline applications of nanofluids in solar technology, machining and other special applications. Recent experiments on nanofluids have indicated significant increase in thermal conductivity compared with liquids without nanoparticles or larger particles, strong temperature dependence of thermal conductivity, and significant increase in critical heat flux in boiling heat transfer, all of which are covered in the book. Key Features Exclusive title focusing on niche engineering applications of nanofluids Contains high technical content especially in the areas of magnetic nanofluids and dilute oxide based nanofluids Feature examples from research applications such as solar technology and heat pipes Addresses heat transfer and thermodynamic features such as efficiency and work with mathematical rigor Focused in content with precise technical definitions and treatment

Heat transfer enhancement has seen rapid development and widespread use in both conventional and emerging technologies. Improvement of heat transfer fluids requires a balance between experimental and numerical work in nanofluids and new refrigerants. Recognizing the uncertainties in development of new heat transfer fluids, Advances in New Heat Transfer Fluids: From Numerical to Experimental Techniques contains both theoretical and practical coverage.

The engineer's ready reference for mechanical power and heat Mechanical Engineer's Handbook provides the most comprehensive coverage of the entire discipline, with a focus on explanation and analysis. Packaged as a modular approach, these books are designed to be used either individually or as a set, providing engineers with a thorough, detailed, ready reference on topics that may fall outside their scope of expertise. Each book provides discussion and examples as opposed to straight data and calculations, giving readers the immediate background they need while pointing them toward more in-depth information as necessary. Volume 4: Energy and Power covers the essentials of fluids, thermodynamics, entropy, and heat, with chapters dedicated to individual applications such as air heating, cryogenic engineering, indoor environmental control, and more. Readers will find detailed guidance toward fuel sources and their technologies, as well as a general overview of the mechanics of combustion. No single engineer can be a specialist in all areas that they are called on to work in the diverse industries and job functions they occupy. This book gives them a resource for finding the information they need, with a focus on topics related to the productions, transmission, and use of mechanical power and heat. Understand the nature of energy and its proper measurement and analysis Learn how the mechanics of energy apply to furnaces, refrigeration, thermal systems, and more Examine the and pros and cons of petroleum, coal, biofuel, solar, wind, and geothermal power Review the mechanical parts that generate, transmit, and store different types of power, and the applicable guidelines Engineers must frequently refer to data tables, standards, and other list-type references, but this book is different; instead of just providing the answer, it explains why the answer is what it is. Engineers will appreciate this approach, and come to find Volume 4: Energy and Power an invaluable reference.

Despite the vast research on energy optimization and process integration, there has to date been no synthesis linking these together. This book fills the gap, presenting optimization and integration in energy and process engineering. The content is based on the current literature and includes novel approaches developed by the authors. Various thermal and chemical systems (heat and mass exchangers, thermal and water networks, energy converters, recovery units, solar collectors, and separators) are considered. Thermodynamics, kinetics and economics are used to formulate and solve problems with constraints on process rates, equipment size, environmental parameters, and costs. Comprehensive coverage of dynamic optimization of energy conversion systems and separation units is provided along with suitable computational algorithms for deterministic and stochastic optimization approaches based on: nonlinear programming, dynamic programming, variational calculus, Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman theory, Pontryagin's maximum principles, and special methods of process integration. Integration of heat energy and process water within a total site is shown to be a significant factor reducing production costs, in particular costs of utilities for the chemical industry. This integration involves systematic design and optimization of heat exchangers and water networks (HEN and WN). After presenting basic, insight-based Pinch Technology, systematic, optimization-based sequential and simultaneous approaches to design HEN and WN are described. Special consideration is given to the HEN design problem targeting stage, in view of its importance at various levels of system design. Selected, advanced methods for HEN synthesis and retrofit are presented. For WN design a novel approach based on stochastic optimization is described that accounts for both grassroot and revamp design scenarios. - Presents a unique synthesis of energy optimization and process integration that applies scientific information from thermodynamics, kinetics, and systems theory - Discusses engineering applications including power generation, resource upgrading, radiation conversion and chemical transformation, in static and dynamic systems - Clarifies how to identify thermal and chemical constraints and incorporate them into optimization models and solutions

Energy Optimization in Process Systems and Fuel Cells, Second Edition covers the optimization and integration of energy systems, with a particular focus on fuel cell technology. With rising energy prices, imminent energy shortages, and increasing environmental impacts of energy production, energy optimization and systems integration is critically important. The book applies thermodynamics, kinetics and economics to study the effect of equipment size, environmental parameters, and economic factors on optimal power production and heat integration. Author Stanislaw Sieniutycz, highly recognized for his expertise and teaching, shows how costs can be substantially reduced, particularly in utilities common in the chemical industry. This second edition contains substantial revisions, with particular focus on the rapid progress in the field of fuel cells, related energy theory, and recent advances in the optimization and control of fuel cell systems. - New information on fuel cell theory, combined with the theory of flow energy systems, broadens the scope and usefulness of the book - Discusses engineering applications including power generation, resource upgrading, radiation conversion, and chemical transformation in static and dynamic systems - Contains practical applications of optimization methods that help solve the problems of power maximization and optimal use of energy and resources in chemical, mechanical, and environmental engineering

This book presents the diverse and rapidly expanding field of Entropy Generation Minimization (EGM), the method of thermodynamic optimization of real devices. The underlying principles of the EGM method - also referred to as "thermodynamic optimization," "thermodynamic design," and "finite time thermodynamics" - are thoroughly discussed, and the me