Entransy dissipation minimization for one-way isothermal mass transfer processes with a generalized mass transfer law

A class of one-way isothermal mass transfer processes is investigated in this paper. Based on the definition of mass entransy, the entransy dissipation function, which reflects the irreversibility of the mass transfer ability loss, is derived. The optimality condition for the minimum entransy dissipation of the mass transfer process with a generalized mass transfer law is obtained by applying an optimal control theory. Special cases for the linear [g∝Δ(μ)] and the diffusive [g∝Δ(c)] mass transfer laws are obtained based on the general optimization results. The obtained results are also compared with strategies of minimum entropy generation, constant concentration ratio and constant concentration difference operations. The results obtained herein can provide some theoretical guidelines for optimal design and operation of practical mass transfer processes.