NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SILCHAR

REPORT
ON

EXERGY ANALYSIS IS PREFERED OVER ENERGY

Ashim Jyoti Nath

The energy of the universe, like its mass, is constant. Yet most of the times we read articles

and listen speeches on how the energy can be conserved. The fact is we also know that the energy

is always conserved. And exergy is not conserved in our universe. Once the exergy is destroyed,

it can’t be recovered. Therefore, in thermodynamic analysis of an energy carrier system, both

energy and exergy analysis is done. Both approach is useful in determining various characteristics

of thermal systems. But in practical application of generating power, exergy analysis is preferred

as it gives more exposure towards the potential of the thermal system and tells about how cost is

related to the energy extraction process [2].

INTROUCTION

Thermodynamics permits the behavior, performance, and efficiency to be described for

systems for the conversion of energy from one form to another. Conventional thermodynamic

analysis is based primarily on the first law of thermodynamics, which states the principle of

conservation of energy. An energy analysis of an energy conversion system is basically keeping

track of energies entering the system and energies leaving the system. The exiting energy is

categorized into two parts, namely products and wastes. Efficiencies are often evaluated as ratios

of energy quantities and are often used to assess and compare performance of various systems.

The thermodynamic losses takes place within a system are not accurately identified and assessed

with energy analysis. This drives the attention of engineers and scientists towards finding an

alternative way to describe those losses. Thus, exergy comes into the picture [3].

To understand exergy, let’s consider an isolated system consisting initially of a small container

of fuel surrounded by air. With time the fuel burns completely and produces warm air inside the

system. Say, we couple a machine with the fuel container such that we get some work while the

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fuel burns. Thus in the first case, the potential of the system to produce work is totally wasted and

it can’t be recovered as the process is irreversible [1].

Exergy is defined as the maximum amount of work that can be produced by a stream or system

as it is brought into equilibrium with a reference environment, and it can be thought of as a measure

of the usefulness or quality of energy. Exergy analysis involves the application of exergy concepts,

balances, and efficiencies to evaluate and improve energy and other systems. Application of exergy

analysis has given us more beneficial opportunities through a big part of a wide range of processes

and systems particularly for the evaluation of energy systems and technologies as well as an

environmental impact in all existing thermal and nuclear power plants [3].

Discussion

Energy analysis vs. Exergy analysis:

As we know conventional thermodynamics is primarily based on the First Law of

thermodynamics, so we start from the fact that it deals with the amounts of energy of various forms

transferred between the system and its surroundings and with the changes in the energy stored in

the system. It treats work and heat interactions as equivalent forms of energy in transit and specifies

nothing about the possibility of a spontaneous process proceeding in a certain direction. The first

law provides no restriction on the direction of a process, but satisfying the first law does not ensure

that the process can actually occur. This inadequacy of the first law to identify whether a process

can take place is remedied by introducing another general principle, the second law of

thermodynamics. The energy-related engineering systems are designed and their performance is

evaluated primarily by using the energy balance deduced from the First law of thermodynamics.

First law of thermodynamics is traditionally applied to calculate the enthalpy balances to quantify

the loss of efficiency in a process due to the loss of energy [4].

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 The exergy concept has gained considerable interest in the thermodynamic analysis of thermal

processes and plant systems since it has been seen that the First law analysis has been insufficient

from an energy performance stand point. The exergy method of analysis is based on the Second

law of thermodynamics and the concept of irreversible production of entropy. The simple energy

balance will not sometimes suffice to find out the system defect. In such circumstances the exergy

analysis is well thought-out to be significant to locate the systems imperfections [4].

For high temperature air combustion and ultra-high temperature combined cycle it is necessary

to study the exergy analysis on combustion and thermodynamic processes, because ordinary

energy analysis does not have any evaluation supported at its temperature level. If we introduce

the exergy analysis against energy analysis, which is supported by this temperature level, it is clear

that the high temperature energy has a greater evaluation compared with low temperature one [3].

So, when considering the above mentioned processes, the exergy analysis must be introduced to

analyze power generation and heat pump cycles as against energy analysis. Recently a large

number of studies based on exergy analysis have been carried out by many researchers all over the

world in various system applications [4].

Conclusion

Exergy analysis is a powerful tool for developing, evaluating, and improving an energy

conversion system. Thermal system equipment efficiency and the optimization of existing thermal

power plants, energy losses in thermal systems can be easily assessed with the help of exergy

analysis. Exergy-based methods can be used to improve economical and environmental

assessments. It can improve understanding of terms like energy conservation and energy crisis.

Exergy methods can help in optimization activities.

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 References

[1] Moran, M. J., Shapiro, H. N., Boettner, D. D., & Bailey, M. B. (2010). Fundamentals
of engineering thermodynamics. John Wiley & Sons.

[2] Nag, P. K. (2013). Engineering thermodynamics. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.

[3] Terzi, R. (2018). Application of exergy analysis to energy systems. Application of

[4] Vundela Siva, R., Subash Chndra, K., Sudhir Kumar, T., & Narayanlal, P. (2010). An
approach to analyse energy and exergy analysis of thermal power plants: a review.
Smart Grid and Renewable Energy, 2010.