Thermodynamic energy conversion efficiencies

Much recent work on thermodynamic energy conversion efficiencies is here presented ab initio and from a unified point of view. New considerations are offered and previous work is analyzed in light of the unified presentation. The energy conversion processes discussed include, for example, the conversion into light in a laser or light-emitting diode and the direct or indirect conversion of solar radiation into work. The thermodynamic limiting efficiencies of these various processes are derived by applying simple balance equations to a generalized energy convertor. The new work includes the distinction between temperatures based on fluxes and temperatures ∂U/∂S based on standard thermodynamics, etc., and their application in the correct context. Also the use of standard entropy formulas is justified without relying on thermodynamic equilibrium and the results are then applied to nonequilibrium situations in energy conversion.

[1]  Anand Praveen Shah.  Technology for solar energy utilization , 1980 .

[2]  P. Landsberg,et al.  Thermodynamics of the conversion of diluted radiation , 1979 .

[3]  P. Landsberg.  A thermodynamic proof of the inequality between arithmetic and geometric mean , 1978 .

[4]  J. E. Parrott,et al.  Theoretical upper limit to the conversion efficiency of solar energy , 1978 .

[5]  J. Kreider.  Solar energy and the second law of thermodynamics , 1978 .

[6]  P. Landsberg,et al.  Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics , 1978 .

[7]  M. Garbuny.  Thermodynamic processes induced by coherent radiation , 1977 .

[8]  P. Landsberg.  A NOTE ON THE THERMODYNAMICS OF ENERGY CONVERSION IN PLANTS* , 1977 .

[9]  P. J. Petit,et al.  Use the second law, first , 1977 .

[10]  D. Gross,et al.  Does radial friction cause emission of fast α-particles? , 1977 .

[11]  Y. Chukova.  Maximum efficiency for the conversion of light energy to chemical energy , 1977 .

[12]  W. Press,et al.  Theoretical maximum for energy from direct and diffuse sunlight , 1976, Nature.

[13]  L. Björn.  Why are plants green - relationships between pigment absorption and photosynthetic efficiency , 1976 .

[14]  M. Archer,et al.  In Vitro Photosynthesis , 1976 .

[15]  N. Leontovich.  Maximum efficiency of direct utilization of radiation , 1975 .

[16]  O. Kafri,et al.  Thermodynamic efficiency of a finite gain laser , 1975 .

[17]  R. Levine,et al.  Thermodynamics of adiabatic laser processes: Optical heaters and refrigerators , 1974 .

[18]  J. Pastrňák,et al.  Thermodynamical considerations on the quantum efficiency of anti-stokes co-operative luminescence , 1974 .

[19]  R. Levine,et al.  Thermodynamic analysis of chemical laser systems , 1974 .

[20]  R. Haywood.  A critical review of the theorems of thermodynamic availability, with concise formulations. II - Irreversibility , 1974 .

[21]  Y. Chukova.  The thermodynamic limit of antistokes (AS) luminophore efficiency , 1974 .

[22]  W. Beckman,et al.  Solar energy thermal processes , 1974 .

[23]  R. Baltz.  Thermodynamic limitation on the conversion of heat into coherent radiation , 1970 .

[24]  Y. Chukova.  Thermodynamic Limit of the Luminescence Efficiency , 1969 .

[25]  R. Knox.  Thermodynamics and the primary processes of photosynthesis. , 1969, Biophysical journal.

[26]  J. Geusic,et al.  Optical Refrigeration in Nd-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet , 1968 .

[27]  W. J. Biter,et al.  Experimental and theoretical studies of low-voltage electroluminescence of ZnS single crystals , 1968 .

[28]  D. A. Evans,et al.  Thermodynamic Limits for Some Light-Producing Devices , 1968 .

[29]  R. T. Ross,et al.  Thermodynamics of light emission and free-energy storage in photosynthesis. , 1967, Biophysical journal.

[30]  J. Pastrňák.  Thermal stimulated radiation of a dissipative Fabry-Perot etalon , 1967 .

[31]  J. E. Geusic,et al.  Quantum Equivalent of the Carnot Cycle , 1967 .

[32]  J. Pastrňák.  Thermal source of stimulated radiation , 1965 .

[33]  R. Petela.  Exergy of Heat Radiation , 1964 .

[34]  H. Nelson,et al.  Evidence of Refrigerating Action by Means of Photon Emission in Semiconductor Diodes , 1964 .

[35]  D. C. Spanner,et al.  Introduction to Thermodynamics , 1964 .

[36]  Bell Ln.  ON THERMODYNAMICS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS , 1964 .

[37]  D. Spanner,et al.  The Green Leaf as a Heat Engine , 1963, Nature.

[38]  H. Queisser,et al.  Detailed Balance Limit of Efficiency of p‐n Junction Solar Cells , 1961 .

[39]  M. Weinstein,et al.  Thermodynamic Limitation on the Conversion of Heat into Light , 1960 .

[40]  P. Landsberg.  RESEARCH NOTES The Entropy of a Non-Equilibrium Ideal Quantum Gas , 1959 .

[41]  E. O. Schulz-DuBois,et al.  Three-Level Masers as Heat Engines , 1959 .

[42]  L. H. Shaffer.  Wavelength-dependent (selective) processes for the utilization of solar energy , 1958 .

[43]  A. Erdélyi,et al.  Higher Transcendental Functions , 1954 .

[44]  J. Franck.  Participation of respiratory intermediates in the process of photosynthesis as an explanation of abnormally high quantum yields. , 1953, Archives of biochemistry and biophysics.

[45]  O. Warburg,et al.  The quantum efficiency of photosynthesis. , 1950, Biochimica et biophysica acta.

[46]  R. Tolman,et al.  On the irreversible production of entropy , 1948 .