Interpretations:

For the same heat loss at two different temperatures, exergy loss is more with higher temperature.
For instance, exergy loss is more at 1000 K than that at 300 K for 1 kJ of heat loss.

The more the temperature, the more is the quality of energy. For example, quality of energy of a gas
at 1000 K is superior to that at 400 K, since the gas at 1000 K has the capacity of doing more work
than the gas at 400 K.

Some more examples of quality degradation

(a) Throttle Process

For frictionless, steady flow process of an ideal gas between sections (1)-(1) and (2)-(2) in a pipe
(Fig. 1.27),

Fig. 1.27 Throttled flow through a pipe

h1 = h2 1.224

Again,

Tds = dh – vdp 1.225

and pv = RT

1.226

or,

1.227

or,
 1.228

1.229

1.230

Equation (1.230) is the expression for the irreversibility or lost work in the system comprising of the
sections (1)-(1) and (2)-(2). It is obvious from the expression that quality degrades logarithmically
with pressure drop between the sections as well as with the mass flow rate for an initial pressure p 1
and surrounding temperature T0.

(B) Quality degradation for a flow with friction

Consider a steady and adiabatic flow of an ideal gas through the segment of a pipe. Applying the first
law of thermodynamics between sections (1)-(1) and (2)-(2) (Fig. 1.28)

Fig. 1.28 Adiabatic steady flow of an ideal gas in a straight pipe

h1 = h2 1.231

Applying T-dS relationship

Tds = dh – vdp 1.232

or,

1.233
or,

1.234

1.235

where since and higher order terms are neglected. Hence, lost work or
irreversibility is

1.236

Hence decrease in exergy is proportional to the pressure drop as well as mass flow rate.

(c) Mixing of two fluid streams

Two fluid streams 1 and 2 of an incompressible fluid or ideal gas mixing adiabatically at constant
pressure as shown in Fig. 1.29.

Fig. 1.29 Mixing of two fluid streams

Mass balance:

m1 + m2 = m3 = m(say) 1.237

Let,

1.238
By first law of thermodynamics,

m1h1 + m2h2 = (m1 + m2)h3 1.239

or,

xh1 + (1 - x)h2 = h3 1.240

Since,

h = h(T) 1.241

From Eq. (1.240)

xT1 + (1-x)T2 = T3 1.242

1.243

Where

1.244

By second law of thermodynamics,

1.245

1.246

1.247

1.248

or,

1.249

Let, Ns Entropy generation number =

Now, substituting from Eq. (1.243) in Eq. (1.249), we get

1.250

1.251

For, x = 1, Ns = 0 ⇒ m2 = 0, the system is with single stream.

For, , Ns = 0, temperature of both the streams are same.

Rate of exergy loss due to mixing is,

Wlost = I = T0Sgen 1.252

1.253

Exergy balance for closed and open system

Exergy balance for the closed and open systems can be used to determine the locations, types and
magnitude of losses of potential energy resources (fuels) and ways can be found to reduce such losses
for making the energy system more efficient.

Closed system

For a closed system (Fig. 1.30), exergy or availability transfer occurs through heat and work
interactions. No mass is transferred across the system boundary.

Fig. 1.30 A closed system

Ist Law of thermodynamics:

1.254

2nd Law of thermodynamics:

1.255

or,

1.256

Subtracting Eq. (1.256) from Eq. (1.254), we get,

1.257

Now, Defining availability function as

A = E + p0V- T0S 1.258

1.259

1.260
In the form of rate equation,

1.261

where, Tj instantaneous temperature at the boundary

rate of change of system volume.

For an isolated system,

A2 - A1 = ΔA = -I 1.262

Since, I > 0, the only processes allowed by the second law of thermodynamics are those for which
the exergy of the isolated system decreases. In other words,

The exergy of an isolated system can never increase.

(Counterpart of entropy principle, which states that entropy of an isolated system can never decrease.)

Open system: Exergy balance for a steady flow system

Fig. 1.31 An open system

Consider an open system (Fig. 1.31). Applying the first law of thermodynamics:
 1.263

Second law of thermodynamics:

1.264

or,

1.265

From Eqs. (1.263) and (1.265),

1.266

or,

1.267

In the form of rate equation at steady state,

1.268

where,

1.269

For a single stream entering and leaving, the exergy balance is given by

1.270
Tools for exergy analysis

The following are the tools for exergy analysis

1. Value/Grassman diagram
2. Pinch point technology

In general, conversion of energy or production of chemical substances in a plant requires

determination of all the exergy flows that are transferred between distinguished apparatuses or unit
operations of the plant. The resulting exergy losses can provide useful information with regard to the
overall performance of the plant. However, it is generally difficult to judge the thermodynamic losses
without any reference. Evaluation of plant performance will usually require a comparison of the
thermodynamic performance of specific apparatuses or unit operations with available data from
previously built plants. Thus, exergy efficiencies have appeared to be more useful, for large plants or
integrated plants. It bears no significance to components. Exergy efficiencies combined with exergy
flow diagrams can provide the thermodynamic performance of even for a complex system.

Q - T Diagram

Consider the heat transfer between two fluids in a recuperative type of heat exchanger. Temperature
versus heat flow(T - Q) between the two fluids has been presented in Fig. 1.32.

Fig. 1.32 Heat transfer process represented in a Q-T diagram

This diagram may be more informative if modified as follows:

Abscissa: indicates the heat transfer between the two streams

Ordinate: temperature T is replaced by the term . At , T = T0 the ordinate is zero and at T

= α, ordinate value is unity (Fig. 1.33).
exergy loss of heat transfer:

Fig. 1.33 Heat transfer process represented in a value diagram

If it is assumed that an infinitesimal small amount of heat dQ is transferred from the secondary flow,
the flow that is cooled down in the heat exchanger, the resulting decrease in temperature dT s may be
neglected. For the energy of this amount of heat can be written as

1.271

In the value diagram (Fig. 1.33) the area 1-3-4-6-1 equals the amount of heat dQ, whereas the area

1-2'-5'-6-1 equals the exergy of this amount of heat. The term indicates which part of the
considered heat can be converted into work and can in principle be converted into work and can be
seen as the exergy fraction of this amount of heat. The total exergy from the secondary flow van be
determined by integrating Eq.(1.271) from the inlet temperature T s,i to the outlet temperature Ts,out

1.272

This amount of exergy equals the whole area below the temperature curve in the value diagram.
Within the heat exchanger the heat dQ is transferred to the primary flow. The exergy of the heat
supplied to this flow is

1.273
In the value diagram, this exergy is represented by the area 1-2-5-6-1. The area 2-2'-5'-5-2 indicates
the exergy lost due to temperature difference necessary to transfer heat from the secondary to the
primary flow. The total exergy absorbed by the primary flow is

1.274

where subscript p indicates the primary flow. The absorbed exergy by the primary flow equals the
area below the temperature curve for this flow in the value diagram. The total exergy loss due to heat
transfer, Exs - Exp, is represented by the area between the two temperature curves.

Thus, the amount of exergy as well as the exergy loss can be easily presented with the help of value
diagram.