Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics as an Extension of Classical Thermodynamics

Abstract

This work analyses several new directions in nonequilibrium thermodynamics, focusing on their practical exploitation rather than on any detailed analysis of the underlying theory. Neglected are the practical aspects of thermodynamic slability of nonequilibrium systems and graphical analyses of practical processes on thermodynamic charts, as those frequently considered in earlier papers. The problems described in the text are presented mainly from the perspective of the work of the present author and associated researchers, without an attempt to give a comprehensive presentation of the work of other researchers. Amongst many new results a generalization of exergy for state changes occurring in a finite time seems to be most important.