Thermodynamic availability analysis in the synthesis and analysis of complex processing systems

A steady state flow system which undergoes physical and chemical transformations can be analyzed thermodynamically in terms of its availability change, for the ideal case. In an actual case reversibility is not accomplished and the system energetic performance can be judged in terms of the irreversible creation of entropy. This analysis results in an upper and lower bound, respectively. The lower bound is evolutionary in nature. Large interactive processing systems can be described in terms of a linear programming model. By setting as objectives either the maximization of change in thermodynamic availability or the minimization of irreversible creation of entropy, it is possible to select the set of technologies which defines the bounding optimum structure of the system considered.