Thermodynamic modelling of interconnected systems, Part II: dissipative coupling

Abstract In this paper we extend results of Wyatt, Siebert and Tan by deriving an energy flow model in terms of thermodynamic energy rather than stored energy as in the standard Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) approach to energy flow modelling. This modified energy flow model shows that energy flows according to thermodynamic energy and that this property holds for an arbitrary number of nonidentical subsystems independently of the strength of the coupling. These results are compared with SEA energy flow predictions by means of illustrative examples. In particular, it is shown that for multiple coupled oscillators, SEA energy flow predictions based upon blocked energy may be erroneous, while predictions based upon thermodynamic energy are correct. In particular, the thermodynamic energy flow model correctly predicts zero net energy flow in the case of equal temperature subsystems.