A comprehensive assessment of the methodologies of thermodynamic optimization, exergy analysis and thermoeconomics, and their application to the design of efficient and environmentally sound energy systems. The chapters are organized in a sequence that begins with pure thermodynamics and progresses towards the blending of thermodynamics with other disciplines, such as heat transfer and cost accounting. Three methods of analysis stand entropy generation minimization, exergy (or availability) analysis, and thermoeconomics. The book reviews current directions in a field that is both extremely important and intellectually alive. Additionally, new directions for research on thermodynamics and optimization are revealed.
Adrian Bejan (MIT, 1971, 1972, 1975) is an American professor and discoverer of the constructal law of design evolution in nature. He is J. A. Jones Distinguished Professor at Duke University. He published more than 620 articles, 29 books and is in top 100 of most cited engineers in the world. He is a member of the Academy of Europe, and received 18 honorary doctorates from universities in 11 countries.