Power Plant Synthesis provides an integrated approach to the operation, analysis, simulation, and dimensioning of power plants for electricity and thermal energy production. Fundamental concepts of energy and power, energy conversion, and power plant design are first presented, and integrated approaches for the operation and simulation of conventional electricity production systems are then examined. Hybrid power plants and cogeneration systems are covered, with operating algorithms, optimization, and dimensioning methods explained. The environmental impacts of energy sources are described and compared, with real-life case studies included to show the synthesis of the specific topics covered.

'Ben-Naim convincingly argues that SMI not only gives a simpler and more broadly applicable definition of entropy, but also clears up much of the historical and modern confusion surrounding the second law. This book will interest any individual who wants to understand how SMI gives a clear definition of entroy.'CHOICE ConnectThis book discusses the proper definitions of entropy, the valid interpretation of entropy and some useful applications of the concept of entropy. Unlike many books which apply the concept of entropy to systems for which it is not even defined (such as living systems, black holes and the entire universe), these applications will help the reader to understand the meaning of entropy. It also emphasizes the limitations of the applicability of the concept of entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics. As with the previous books by the author, this book aims at a clear and mystery-free presentation of the central concept in thermodynamics - the entropy.In this book, the concepts of entropy and the Second Law are presented in a friendly, simple language. It is devoid of all kinds of fancy and pompous statements made by authors of popular science books who write on this subject.

This textbook brings together the fundamentals of the macroscopic and microscopic aspects of thermal physics by presenting thermodynamics and statistical mechanics as complementary theories based on small numbers of postulates. The book is designed to give the instructor flexibility in structuring courses for advanced undergraduates and/or beginning graduate students and is written on the principle that a good text should also be a good reference. The presentation of thermodynamics follows the logic of Clausius and Kelvin while relating the concepts involved to familiar phenomena and the modern student's knowledge of the atomic nature of matter. Another unique aspect of the book is the treatment of the mathematics involved. The essential mathematical concepts are briefly reviewed before using them, and the similarity of the mathematics to that employed in other fields of physics is emphasized. The text gives in depth treatments of low density gases, harmonic solids, magnetic and dielectric materials, phase transitions, and the concept of entropy. The microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles of statistical mechanics are derived and used as the starting point for the analysis of fluctuations, blackbody radiation, the Maxwell distribution, Fermi-Dirac statistics, Bose-Einstein condensation, and the statistical basis of computer simulations. Supplementary material including PowerPoint slides and detailed worked solutions can be downloaded online at http://booksupport.wiley.com

Energy is typically regarded as understandable, despite its multiple forms of storage and transfer. Entropy, however, is an enigma, in part because of the common view that it represents disorder. That view is flawed and hides entropy's connection with energy. In fact, macroscopic matter stores internal energy, and that matter's entropy is determined by how the energy is stored. Energy and entropy are intimately linked. Energy and Entropy: A Dynamic Duo illuminates connections between energy and entropy for students, teachers, and researchers. Conceptual understanding is emphasised where possible through examples, analogies, figures, and key points. Features: Qualitative demonstration that entropy is linked to spatial and temporal energy spreading, with equilibrium corresponding to the most equitable distribution of energy, which corresponds to maximum entropy Analysis of energy and entropy of matter and photons, with examples ranging from rubber bands, cryogenic cooling, and incandescent lamps to Hawking radiation of black holes Unique coverage of numerical entropy, the 3rd law of thermodynamics, entropic force, dimensionless entropy, free energy, and fluctuations, from Maxwell's demon to Brownian ratchets, plus attempts to violate the second law of thermodynamics

The book is aimed at undergraduate students in their senior year and first year graduate students. It elucidates the basis of thermodynamics and provides a basis for the understanding of, not only the thermodynamic properties of a microscopic system, but also their fluctuations, correlations and close-to-equilibrium properties.

These lecture notes provide a detailed treatment of the thermal energy storage and transport by conduction in natural and fabricated structures. Thermal energy in two carriers, i.e. phonons and electrons - are explored from first principles. For solid-state transport, a common Landauer framework is used for heat flow. Issues including the quantum of thermal conductance, ballistic interface resistance, and carrier scattering are elucidated. Bulk material properties, such as thermal and electrical conductivity, are derived from particle transport theories, and the effects of spatial confinement on these properties are established.

These lecture notes provide a detailed treatment of the thermal energy storage and transport by conduction in natural and fabricated structures. Thermal energy in two carriers, i.e. phonons and electrons - are explored from first principles. For solid-state transport, a common Landauer framework is used for heat flow. Issues including the quantum of thermal conductance, ballistic interface resistance, and carrier scattering are elucidated. Bulk material properties, such as thermal and electrical conductivity, are derived from particle transport theories, and the effects of spatial confinement on these properties are established.

Small systems are a very active area of research and development due to improved instrumentation that allows for spatial resolution in the range of sizes from one to 100 nm. In this size range, many physical and chemical properties change, which opens up new approaches to the study of substances and their practical application. This affects both traditional fields of knowledge and many other new fields including physics, chemistry, biology, etc. This book highlights new developments in statistical thermodynamics that answer the most important questions about the specifics of small systems - when one cannot apply equations or traditional thermodynamic models.

This book provides an accessible yet thorough introduction to thermodynamics, crafted and class-tested over many years of teaching. Suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, this book delivers clear descriptions of how to think about the mathematics and physics involved. The content has been carefully developed in consultation with a large number of instructors, teaching courses worldwide, to ensure wide applicability to modules on thermodynamics. Modern applications of thermodynamics (in physics and related areas) are included throughout-something not offered to the same degree by existing texts in the field. Features: A sophisticated approach to the subject that is suitable for advanced undergraduate students and above Modern applications of thermodynamics included throughout To be followed by volumes on statistical mechanics, which can be used in conjunction with this book on courses which cover both thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

This book serves as a guide for discovering pathways to more efficient energy use. The first part of the book illustrates basic laws of energy conversion and principles of thermodynamics. Laws of energy conservation and direction of energy conversion are formulated in detail, and the types of thermodynamic processes are explained. Also included is the characterization of various types of real energy conversion. The second part of the book discusses types of energy conversion referred to as thermal-energy technologies. The advantages of the co-generation processes and devices operating within the Brayton direct cycle and their adaptively to household energetics are underlined.

Providing a systematic introduction to the techniques which are fundamental to quantum field theory, this book pays special attention to the use of these techniques in a wide variety of areas, including ordinary quantum mechanics, quantum mechanics in the second-quantized formulation, relativistic quantum field theory, Euclidean field theory, quantum statistics at finite temperature, and the classical statistics of nonideal gas and spin systems. The extended chapter on variational methods and functional Legendre transformations contains completely original material.

This book provides a framework for analysing complex systems for which classical thermodynamics is often not applicable. Since the success of the activated process in 1970, diamond growth with simultaneous graphite etching under low pressure has often been regarded as a violation of the second law of thermodynamics. A series of nonequilibrium phase diagrams, which agree excellently with the activated diamond experiments, have been calculated by the author and his coworkers on the basis of reaction coupling. The book goes on to demonstrate how these lead to a complete new systematization of modern thermodynamics.

The FIRST MEXICAN MEETING ON MATHEMATICAL AND EXPERI MENTAL PHYSICS was held at EL COLEGIO N ACIONAL in Mexico Cit y, Mexico, from September 10 to 14, 2001. This event consisted of the LEOPOLDO GARciA-COLiN SCHERER Medal Lecture, delivered by Prof. Nicholas G. van Kampen, a series of plenary talks by Leopoldo Garcia-Colin, Giinter Nimtz, Luis F. Rodriguez, Ruoon Barrera, and Donald Saari, and of three parallel symposia, namely, Cosmology and Gravitation, Statistical Physics and Beyond, and Hydrodynamics and Dynamical Systems. The response from the Physics community was enthusiastic, with over 200 participants and around 80 speakers, from allover the world: USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Holland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Spain, and Hungary. The main aim of the conference is to provide a scenario to Mexican researchers on the topics of Mathematical and Experimental Physics in order to keep them in contact with work going on in other parts of the world and at the same time to motivate and support the young and mid career researchers from our country. To achieve this goal, we decided to the most distinguished experts in the subjects of the invite as lecturers conference and to give the opportunity to young scientist to communi cate the results of their work. The plan is to celebrate this international endeavor every three years."

Over the past several decades there has been increasing research interest in thermodynamics as applied to biological systems. This concerns topics such as muscle work and internal energy such as fat and starch. Applications of the first and second laws of thermodynamics to the human body are important to dieticians and health science experts, and applications of these concepts to the animal body are a major concern of animal scientists. This book covers these key topics, which are typically not covered in classic or traditional thermodynamics texts used in mechanical and chemical engineering.

Authored by two highly respected experts in this specialist area, The Fundamentals of Radiation Thermometers is an essential resource for anyone intending to measure the temperature of an object using the radiated energy from that object. This readable, user-friendly book gives important background knowledge for anyone working in the field of non-contact thermometry. The book begins with an accessible account of how temperature scales are set up and defined, and explores the historic development of temperature scales and Planck's radiation law. Through explaining the reliability of both emissivity values and extrapolation to different wavelengths and temperatures, the book provides a foundation for understanding when a valid measurement with realistic uncertainties has been made, or if an inappropriate emissivity value has been used with consequent unknown errors. The book also presents the hardware of radiation thermometers, allowing the reader to specify an appropriate design for a particular measurement problem. It explores multi-wavelength radiation thermometry and its associated pitfalls, and a final chapter suggests strategies to minimise the uncertainties from unreliable emissivity data.

`Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: Foundations and Applications' builds from basic principles to advanced techniques, and covers the major phenomena, methods, and results of time-dependent systems. It is a pedagogic introduction, a comprehensive reference manual, and an original research monograph. Uniquely, the book treats time-dependent systems by close analogy with their static counterparts, with most of the familiar results of equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics being generalized and applied to the non-equilibrium case. The book is notable for its unified treatment of thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, stochastic processes, and statistical mechanics, for its self-contained, coherent derivation of a variety of non-equilibrium theorems, and for its quantitative tests against experimental measurements and computer simulations. Systems that evolve in time are more common than static systems, and yet until recently they lacked any over-arching theory. 'Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics' is unique in its unified presentation of the theory of non-equilibrium systems, which has now reached the stage of quantitative experimental and computational verification. The novel perspective and deep understanding that this book brings offers the opportunity for new direction and growth in the study of time-dependent phenomena. 'Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics' is an invaluable reference manual for experts already working in the field. Research scientists from different disciplines will find the overview of time-dependent systems stimulating and thought-provoking. Lecturers in physics and chemistry will be excited by many fresh ideas and topics, insightful explanations, and new approaches. Graduate students will benefit from its lucid reasoning and its coherent approach, as well as from the chem12physof mathematical techniques, derivations, and computer algorithms.

On the job or in the field, when facing a problem with differential equations and boundary conditions, most likely you don't have time to read through several publications in search of a method that may or may not solve your problem. Organized for quick and easy access to practical solutions, Analytical and Approximate Methods in Transport Phenomena is a reference for the day-to-day problems encountered when working with variables in heat, mass, or momentum transfer. This text is organized differently from usual resources on applied mathematics for engineers. First, it introduces a new classification system of the problem based on just three numbers, so locating the appropriate solution method is quick and easy. Second, the author presents mathematical methods with applications in mind, introducing examples, as well as common or possible solutions, before presenting any mathematical theory or method. This allows you to identify the issue you need to resolve, then apply the appropriate method to the problem at hand. The book also includes practical discussions of the consequences and applications of various solutions. The book highlights mathematical methods as tools for solving practical problems, not as a primary objective. Its structure and focus on application, with just the right amount of mathematical rigor, makes it the most effective manual available for easily finding the analytical methods needed to solve transport problems.

This book compiles historical notes and a review of the work of the author and his associates on shock compression of condensed matter (SCCM). The work includes such topics as foundational aspects of SCCM, thermodynamics, thermodynamics of defects, and plasticity as they relate to shock compression, shock-induced phase transition, and shock compaction. Also included are synthesis of refractory and hard ceramic compounds such as Ni aluminides, SiC and diamonds, method of characteristics, discrete element methods, the shock compression process at the grain scale, and modeling shock-to-detonation transition in high explosives. The book tells the story of how the author's view of shock physics came to be where it is now. and analytically discusses how the author's appreciation of shock waves has evolved in time. It offers a personal but pedagogical perspective on SCCM for young scientists and engineers who are starting their careers in the field. For experts it offers materials to nudge them reflect on their own stories, with the hope of planting a seed of motivation to write them down to be published.

Statistical mechanics: the bane of many a physics student, and traditionally viewed as a long parade of ensembles, partition functions, and partial derivatives. But the subject needn't be arcane. When pared back to its underlying concepts and built from the ground up, statistical mechanics takes on a charm of its own, and sheds light on all manner of physical phenomena. This book presents a straightforward introduction to the key concepts in statistical mechanics, following the popular style of the author's highly successful textbook "Explorations in Mathematical Physics". Offering a clear, conceptual approach to the subject matter, the book presents a treatment that is mathematically complete, while remaining very accessible to undergraduates. It commences by asking: why does an ink drop spread out in a bathtub of water? This showcases the importance of counting configurations, which leads naturally to ideas of microstates, energy, entropy, thermodynamics, and physical chemistry. With this foundation, the Boltzmann distribution writes itself in its fullest form, and this opens the door to the Maxwell distribution and related areas of thermal conductivity and viscosity. Quantum ideas then appear: bosons via Einstein's and Debye's theories of heat capacity, and fermions via electrical conduction and low-temperature heat capacity of metals. The text ends with a detailed derivation of blackbody radiation, and uses this to discuss the greenhouse effect, lasers, and cosmology. Suitable for use with core undergraduate courses in statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, this book concentrates on using solid mathematics, while avoiding cumbersome notation. All the necessary mathematical steps are included in the body of the text and in the worked examples. Reviews of Explorations in Mathematical Physics by Don Koks, 2006 "With enjoyable and sometimes surprising excursions along the way, the journey provides a fresh look at many familiar topics, as it takes us from basic linear mathematics to general relativity... look forward to having your geometric intuition nourished and expanded by the author's intelligent commentaries." (Eugen Merzbacher, University of North Carolina) "... an interesting supplement to standard texts for teaching mathematical methods in physics, as it will add alternative views that could serve as additional material." (S. Marcelja, Australian Journal of Physics) "... a tour through the main ideas forming the language of modern mathematical physics ...it is a difficult task for the author to decide what is a good balance between the topics and their presentation, but in this case it has been achieved. ...for those physicists who would like to be exposed to clear motivation and careful explanation of the basics of the present-day apparatus of mathematical physics." (Ivailo Mladenov, Mathematical Reviews).

This book discusses the current direction of the research approach to extreme biomimetics through biological materials-inspired chemistry and its applications in modern technology and medicine. It is a resource covering topics of extreme (psychrophilic and thermopilic) biomineralization, solvothermal and hydrothermal chemistry of metal oxides and nanostructured composites, and bioinspired materials science in a diverse areas. The authors review the current advances in the extreme biomimetics research field and describe various approaches introduced and explored by their respective laboratories. * Details the basic principles of extreme biomimetics approach for design of new materials and applications; * Includes numerous examples of the hierarchical organization of hydrothermally or psychrophilically obtained biocomposites, structural bioscaffolds, biosculpturing, biomimetism, and bioinspiration as tools for the design of innovative materials; * Describes and details the principles of extreme biomimetics with respect to metallization of chemically and thermally stable biopolymers.

This book, Perturbation Theories for the Thermodynamic Properties of Fluids and Solids, provides a comprehensive review of current perturbation theories-as well as integral equation theories and density functional theories-for the equilibrium thermodynamic and structural properties of classical systems. Emphasizing practical applications, the text avoids complex theoretical derivations as much as possible. It begins with discussions of the nature of intermolecular forces and simple potential models. The book also presents a summary of statistical mechanics concepts and formulae. In addition, it reviews simulation techniques, providing background for the performance analyses of theories executed throughout the text using simulation data. Chapters describe integral equation theories, theoretical approaches for hard-sphere fluid or solid systems, and perturbation theories for simple fluids and solids for monocomponent and multicomponent systems. They also cover density functional theories for inhomogeneous systems and perturbative and nonperturbative approaches to describe the structure and thermodynamics of hard-body molecular fluids. The final chapter examines several more challenging systems, such as fluids near the critical point, liquid metals, molten salts, colloids, and aqueous protein solutions. This book offers a thorough account of the available equilibrium theories for the thermodynamic and structural properties of fluids and solids, with special focus on perturbation theories, emphasizing their applications, strengths, and weaknesses. Appropriate for experienced researchers as well as postgraduate students, the text presents a wide-ranging yet detailed view and provides a useful guide to the application of the theories described.

In the past thirty years, the area of spin glasses has experienced rapid growth, including the development of solvable models for glassy systems. Yet these developments have only been recorded in the original research papers, rather than in a single source. Thermodynamics of the Glassy State presents a comprehensive account of the modern theory of glasses, starting from basic principles (thermodynamics) to the experimental analysis of one of the most important consequences of thermodynamics-Maxwell relations. After a brief introduction to general theoretical concepts and historical developments, the book thoroughly describes glassy phenomenology and the established theory. The core of the book surveys the crucial technique of two-temperature thermodynamics, explains the success of this method in resolving previously paradoxical problems in glasses, and presents exactly solvable models, a physically realistic approach to dynamics with advantages over more established mean field methods. The authors also tackle the potential energy landscape approach and discuss more detailed theories of glassy states, including mode coupling, avoided critical point, replica, and random first order transition theories. This reference lucidly explores recent theoretical advances in the thermodynamics of slowing-aging (glassy) systems. It details the general properties of glassy states while also demonstrating how these properties are present in specific models, enabling readers to thoroughly understand this fundamental yet challenging area of study.

Ideal for one- or two-semester courses that assume elementary knowledge of calculus, This text presents the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics and applies these to problems dealing with properties of materials, phase transformations, chemical reactions, solutions and surfaces. The author utilizes principles of statistical mechanics to illustrate key concepts from a microscopic perspective, as well as develop equations of kinetic theory. The book provides end-of-chapter question and problem sets, some using Mathcad (TM) and Mathematica (TM); a useful glossary containing important symbols, definitions, and units; and appendices covering multivariable calculus and valuable numerical methods.

This study is one of the first attempts to bridge the theoretical models of variational dynamics of perfect fluids and some practical approaches worked out in chemical and mechanical engineering in the field newly called thermo-hydrodynamics. In recent years, applied mathematicians and theoretical physicists have made significant progress in formulating analytical tools to describe fluid dynamics through variational methods. These tools are much loved by theoretists, and rightly so, because they are quite powerful and beautiful theoretical tools. Chemists, physicists and engineers, however, are limited in their ability to use these tools, because presently they are applicable only to "perfect fluids" (i. e. those fluids without viscosity, heat transfer, diffusion and chemical reactions). To be useful, a model must take into account important transport and rate phenomena, which are inherent to real fluid behavior and which cannot be ignored. This monograph serves to provide the beginnings of a means by which to extend the mathematical analyses to include the basic effects of thermo-hydrodynamics. In large part a research report, this study uses variational calculus as a basic theoretical tool, without undo compromise to the integrity of the mathematical analyses, while emphasizing the conservation laws of real fluids in the context of underlying thermodynamics --reversible or irreversible. The approach of this monograph is a new generalizing approach, based on Nother's theorem and variational calculus, which leads to the energy-momentum tensor and the related conservation or balance equations in fluids.

Statistical thermodynamics and the related domains of statistical physics and quantum mechanics are very important in many fields of research, including plasmas, rarefied gas dynamics, nuclear systems, lasers, semiconductors, superconductivity, ortho- and para-hydrogen, liquid helium, and so on. Statistical Thermodynamics: Understanding the Properties of Macroscopic Systems provides a detailed overview of how to apply statistical principles to obtain the physical and thermodynamic properties of macroscopic systems. Intended for physics, chemistry, and other science students at the graduate level, the book starts with fundamental principles of statistical physics, before diving into thermodynamics. Going further than many advanced textbooks, it includes Bose-Einstein, Fermi-Dirac statistics, and Lattice dynamics as well as applications in polaron theory, electronic gas in a magnetic field, thermodynamics of dielectrics, and magnetic materials in a magnetic field. The book concludes with an examination of statistical thermodynamics using functional integration and Feynman path integrals, and includes a wide range of problems with solutions that explain the theory.