Carnot Cycle and Heat-Machines: From Applications (Systems and Processes) to Fundamentals (FDOT)

Dear Colleagues,

Engineering thermodynamics remains in due course of improvement even if it starts from the sixties. A first step was the consideration of endoreversible direct and reverse machines. These phenomenological approaches are being improved, considering dissipative mechanisms, in order to represent more precisely the global performance of systems and processes (for example cascades, combined heat and power, valorization of heat rejection).

Optimization of systems and processes are imposed to define clear objectives (simple or multiobjective optimization) and the constraints applied to the systems and processes. It appears that this demarch is generic, and corresponds to what can be summarized as FDOT (Finite Physical Dimensions Optimal Thermodynamics). Among these dimensions are the geometrical ones (size), but also time (Finite Time Thermodynamics, FTT). However, we extend these to other dimensions, for example FST Finite Speed Thermodynamics.

The efficiency too could be considered finite (for example the effectiveness of Heat Exchangers HEX). Efficiency is also a central concept multiform and generally non-dimensional. It is related to quality, and consequently to the second law of thermodynamics. To these applications point of view could be added economic concern, but also environmental concern that is today difficult to control.

Applications are not disclosed from fundamental aspects of thermodynamics. This Special Issue is also open and connected to other branches of thermodynamics mainly statistical thermodynamics and quantum thermodynamics: an important development emerges recently regarding quantum machines. All these developments are welcomed, as well as entropy and exergy analysis.

Prof. Dr. Michel Feidt
Guest Editor

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