Power generation in thermochemical and electrochemical systems – A thermodynamic theory

In this paper power limits and other performance indicators are investigated in various power generation systems with downgrading or upgrading of resources. Energy flux (power) is created in a power generator located between a resource fluid (‘upper’ fluid 1) and the environmental fluid (‘lower’ fluid, 2). Transfer phenomena, fluid properties and conductance values of dissipative layers or conductors influence the rate of power yield. While temperatures Ti of participating media are only necessary variables to describe purely thermal systems, in the present work both temperatures and chemical potentials μk are essential. This case is associated with engines propelled by fluxes of both energy and substance (chemical and electrochemical engines).