The thermodynamic basis of entransy and entransy dissipation

In the present work, the entransy and entransy dissipation are defined from the thermodynamic point of view. It is shown that the entransy is a state variable and can be employed to describe the second law of thermodynamics. For heat conduction, a principle of minimum entransy dissipation is established based on the second law of thermodynamics in terms of entransy dissipation, which leads to the governing equation of the steady Fourier heat conduction without heat source. Furthermore, we derive the expressions of the entransy dissipation in duct flows and heat exchangers from the second law of thermodynamics, which paves the way for applications of the entransy dissipation theory in heat exchanger design.

► The concepts of entransy and entransy dissipation are defined from the thermodynamic point of view. ► We find that the entransy is a new thermodynamic property. ► The second law of thermodynamics can be described by the entransy and entransy dissipation. ► The expressions of entransy dissipation in duct flows and heat exchangers are derived from the second law of thermodynamics.