General theory of thermoeconomics: Part II. The relative free energy function

Abstract:

A new thermodynamic function is presented here. The relative free energy function b = (h-h0)-(dh/ds)x(s-s0) where (dh/ds)x is the ``a priori'' known direction in the (h, s) plane the exit flow of a component in a plant takes when a malfunction occurs. This new function appear when a systematic analysis of the relation between additional entropy generation and loss of entering resources is made. When applying this analysis, the strict reparation between quantity and quality of any composed flow is achieved. This sheds light in the problem of: 1) System's disaggregation, 2) Metric of resources, 3) The definition of efficiency and 4) Cost analysis. Thus, it is proved that the problems of cost stability in bifurcations and the dependence of unit costs on the chosen environment have been solved. Average costs will coincide with marginal costs when the relative free energy function is applied. The relative free energy function is highly finalistic, and purposive. It does not measure what is useful thermodynamically speaking, that is, exergy, but rather what serves our purposes here and now. What is important for cost is technical equivalence, not thermodynamic equivalence. The structural theory set out in the previous paper accounts for what the process of cost formation is. In this second paper, almost at the expense of the structure, we have seen the relation between degradation and resource consumption, With these two papers now, Thermoeconomics appear as an exact and physical theory of cost, which includes and/or explain whatever previous thermoeconomic method and costing function.

Año de publicación:

1992

Keywords:

Fuente:

scopus