Plenary Lecture

Thermodynamic Analysis Based on the Second Law Using Exergy: Illustrative Applications of aSize-Based
Assessment Hierarchy

Professor Marc A. Rosen
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Oshawa, Canada
and
President of Engineering Institute of Canada
E-mail: M.Rosen@uoit.ca

Abstract: Exergy analysis has been increasingly applied over the last several decades to systems of various sizes, ranging from nano-sized to planetary. Despite the wide range of application sizes, little research has been carried out on how the size of application affects the manner in which exergy is used. Through examining and performing many exergy analyses, the author has previously observed that there appear to be trends related to the application size and the way in which an exergy analysis is performed. The most appropriate way of applying exergy analysis appears to be dependent on the application size, whether considering a device or micro- or nano-sized subsection of it, or a large macrosystem like a country, or a planetary system. An understanding of these size considerations can help guide users of exergy analysis to the most suitable manner of application for a given system.
The six size categories follow, from smallest to largest:
-Sub-device: A sub-device is a part of a device, e.g., a row of blades on the turbine, or an individual blade, or a section of a blade, and can extend to micro- and nano-sized parts of devices.
-Device: Devices are taken to be the individual components that make up systems.
-Simple system: A simple system is taken here to be a system made up of a small number of devices (usually less than six).
-Complex system: A complex system is taken here to be a single system made up of many devices (usually much more than six, and often over 50). These values are not scientifically defined, but are simply illustrative ways of dividing the categories.
-Macrosystem: A macrosystem is considered as a grouping of complex systems, often involving multiple facilities over a region like a community, city, province or country.
-Planetary-scale system: Planetary-scale systems include planets, primary sections of a planet (e.g., the atmosphere), and larger systems like the sun.
In this article, each application category is illustrated with an example. Several conclusions are drawn from the work: 1) the various systems investigated with exergy analysis exhibit size-related trends regarding how the analysis is performed, 2) the most appropriate way of applying exergy analysis appears to be dependent on the size of the application, and 3) the size-based hierarchy helps identify the manner in which exergy analysis can most appropriately be applied for a given system. An understanding of these size considerations can help users of exergy analysis determine the most suitable manner of application for a given system and avoid confusion and wasted effort, thereby improving the usability and utilization of exergy analysis for energy systems.

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Dr. Marc A. Rosen is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Canada, where he served as founding Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science from 2002 to 2008. Dr. Rosen became President of the Engineering Institute of Canada in 2008. He was President of the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering from 2002 to 2004, and is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario.
With over 60 research grants and contracts and 500 technical publications, Dr. Rosen is an active teacher and researcher in thermodynamics, energy technology (including cogeneration, district energy, thermal storage and renewable energy), and the environmental impact of energy and industrial systems. Much of his research has been carried out for industry.
Dr. Rosen has worked for such organizations as Imatra Power Company in Finland, Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago, and the Institute for Hydrogen Systems near Toronto. He was also a professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Industrial Engineering at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada for 16 years. While there, Dr. Rosen served as department Chair and Director of the School of Aerospace Engineering.
Dr. Rosen has received numerous awards and honours, including an Award of Excellence in Research and Technology Development from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Engineering Institute of Canada’s Smith Medal for achievement in the development of Canada, and the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering’s Angus Medal for outstanding contributions to the management and practice of mechanical engineering. He is a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the International Energy Foundation.