Finite-Time Thermodynamics And Thermoeconomics

This is Volume 4 of a set dealing with applications of nonequilibrium thermodynamics and availability theory to (mostly lumped) systems where a certain external control can be applied in order to achieve improved performance. Approaches from nonequilibrium thermodynamics are capable of providing quite realistic performance criteria and bounds for real processes occurring in a finite time. Model systems have been developed which incorporate friction, heat loss, inertial effects, and finite heat conductance for real energy conversion processes.