Journal
CHEMICAL PHYSICS
Volume 494, Issue -, Pages 47-55Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphys.2017.07.009
Keywords
Molecular heat engines; Irreversibility; Finite time thermodynamics; Quantum heat engine; Quantum constructal law; Non-equilibrium thermodynamics
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Is there a link between the macroscopic approach to irreversibility and microscopic behaviour of the systems? Consumption of free energy keeps the system away from a stable equilibrium. Entropy generation results from the redistribution of energy, momentum, mass and charge. This concept represents the essence of the thermodynamic approach to irreversibility. Irreversibility is the result of the interaction between systems and their environment. The aim of this paper is to determine lost works in a molecular engine and compare results with macro (classical) heat engines. Firstly, irreversible thermodynamics are reviewed for macro and molecular cycles. Secondly, irreversible thermodynamics approaches are applied for a quantum heat engine with -1/2 spin system. Finally, lost works are determined for considered system and results show that macro and molecular heat engines obey same limitations. Moreover, a quantum thermodynamic approach is suggested in order to explain the results previously obtained from an atomic viewpoint. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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