A mathematical structure of the separated variational principles of steady states for multi-forces and multi-currents

Separated variational principles of steady states for multi-forces and multi-currents in transport phenomena were recently proposed by Suzuki (Suzuki, 2013) by extending the principle of minimum integrated entropy production for a single force found by the same author (Suzuki, 2013). On the other hand, in non-equilibrium thermodynamics, Edelen (Edelen, 1974) generalized the linear Onsager theory to those irreversible processes with significant thermodynamic forces by means of Onsager fluxes. Onsager fluxes by definition satisfy a nonlinear system of reciprocity relations, vanish in thermodynamic equilibrium, and satisfy the second law of thermodynamics. Each system of Onsager fluxes is derivable from a dissipation potential sometimes called the flux potential. This paper aims to elucidate a mathematical structure of the separated variational principles based on the above work of Edelen.