Irreversible thermodynamic analysis and application for molecular heat engines
arXiv:1706.01956 · doi:10.1016/j.chemphys.2017.07.009
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to determine lost works in a molecular engine and compare results with macro (classical) heat engines. Firstly, irreversible thermodynamics are reviewed for macro and molecular cycles. Secondly, irreversible thermodynamics approaches are applied for a quantum heat engine with -1/2 spin system. Finally, lost works are determined for considered system and results show that macro and molecular heat engines obey same limitations. Moreover, a quantum thermodynamic approach is suggested in order to explain the results previously obtained from an atomic viewpoint.
32 pages, 2 Tables, 1Figure