The Physical Optimum as an Ideal Reference Value for Balancing Thermodynamic Processes Integrating the Exergetic Evaluation by the Example of Heat Supply

Dirk Volta and Samanta A. Weber
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Dirk Volta: Department of Energy and Biotechnology, Flensburg University of Applied Sciences (FUAS), 24943 Flensburg, Germany
Samanta A. Weber: Department of Energy and Biotechnology, Flensburg University of Applied Sciences (FUAS), 24943 Flensburg, Germany

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-15

Abstract: This paper contains the basic definition and application of the physical optimum as a method for process evaluation and optimization. By means of the exemplary balance of a wood pellet-fired boiler, the conventional efficiency is compared to the PhO . Furthermore, this study demonstrates the possibility of applying the thermodynamic state variable exergy as a physical reference property of a system within the PhO method. To explain the approach, the heat generation in the wood pellet-fired boiler is compared to the supply from a heat pump, which itself is connected to a power plant. Furthermore, the process-independent PhO is explained in order to illustrate the limitations of feasible optimization. Additionally, possible research topics such as the integration of dynamic behavior in the method are approached. As a conclusion, the differences between the methods outline the advantage of the PhO in the optimization process.

Keywords: physical optimum; PhO; reference process; exergy; energy efficiency; energy optimization; method comparison (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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