Derivation and verification of minimum energy dissipation rate principle of fluid based on minimum entropy production rate principle

Based on non-equilibrium thermodynamics theory, minimum energy dissipation rate principle can be derived from minimum entropy production rate principle. Minimum entropy production rate principle is equivalent to minimum energy dissipation rate principle. In order to verify the fluid motion following minimum energy dissipation rate principle, RNG k−ε turbulence model and GMO model of Flow 3D were applied to simulate fluid motion in a straight rectangular flume. The results show that fluid motion satisfies the minimum energy dissipation rate principle. The validity of minimum energy dissipation rate of alluvial rivers has been tested with field data. When a river system is at a relative equilibrium state, the value of its energy dissipation rate is at minimum. The minimum value depends on the constraints applied to the river system. However, due to the dynamic nature of a river, the minimum value may vary with respective to time and location. Minimum stream power and minimum unit stream power principles are special and simplified versions of the more general minimum energy dissipation rate principle.