Consider two systems that are at the same pressure as the...

Name: Problem 10, Chapter 8: Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach
Uploaded: 2020-07-03T23:16:37-08:00
Duration: 1 min 34 s
Channel: Mitchell Cutler
Description: Consider two systems that are at the same pressure as the environment. The first system is at the same temperature as the environment, whereas the second system is at a lower temperature than the environment. How would you compare the exergies of these two systems?

Consider two systems that are at the same pressure as the environment. The first system is at the same temperature as the environment, whereas the second system is at a lower temperature than the environment. How would you compare the exergies of these two systems?

Labs

Want to see this concept in action?

NEW

Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.

View Labs

Key Concepts

Exergy

Exergy is the measure of the maximum useful work that can be extracted from a system as it comes into equilibrium with its reference environment. It quantifies the departure from environmental equilibrium, meaning that any difference in properties like temperature or pressure relative to the surroundings constitutes a potential to do work.

Reference Environment

The reference environment is a standardized state, typically defined by ambient pressure and temperature, relative to which the exergy of a system is measured. A system in complete equilibrium with this environment (with the same temperature and pressure) has zero exergy, as no further work can be extracted.

Temperature Difference (Non-equilibrium Condition)

A difference in temperature between the system and its surroundings creates a thermodynamic gradient that represents available energy for work extraction. A system with a temperature different from the environment—whether lower or higher—departs from equilibrium and possesses nonzero exergy, while being at the same temperature as the environment implies no potential for work from thermal differences.

Transcript

Please give Ace some feedback