Irreversible thermodynamic analysis and application for molecular heat engines

Umberto Lucia; Emin Açıkkalp

doi:10.1016/j.chemphys.2017.07.009

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arXiv · 1706.01956

Irreversible thermodynamic analysis and application for molecular heat engines

Umberto Lucia·Emin Açıkkalp

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Abstract

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.

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Umberto Lucia, Emin Açıkkalp. 2017-06-01. Irreversible thermodynamic analysis and application for molecular heat engines. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemphys.2017.07.009

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