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Internal dissipation and heat leaks in quantum thermodynamic cycles
Luis A Correa1, José P Palao2, Daniel Alonso2
1Departament de Física, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|October 15, 2015
Summary
This study presents a minimal model for irreversible absorption chillers, identifying heat leaks and internal dissipation as key performance limitations. Reservoir engineering techniques are proposed to minimize irreversibility and enhance cooling efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Quantum thermodynamics
- Statistical mechanics
- Energy conversion systems
Background:
- Continuous energy conversion systems can achieve thermodynamic cycles.
- Irreversible entropy production limits maximum efficiency in these systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce a minimal model for irreversible absorption chillers.
- Identify and quantify sources of irreversibility (heat leaks, internal dissipation).
- Propose methods to minimize irreversibility and improve cooling performance.
Main Methods:
- Developed a minimal theoretical model for absorption chillers.
- Analyzed mechanisms of heat leaks and internal dissipation.
- Investigated reservoir engineering techniques for irreversibility reduction.
- Examined a three-qubit system as a practical embodiment.
Main Results:
- Quantified the impact of heat leaks and internal dissipation on cooling performance.
- Demonstrated that reservoir engineering can minimize detrimental effects.
- Showcased the model's utility in identifying irreversibility sources in complex devices.
Conclusions:
- The minimal model effectively characterizes irreversibility in absorption chillers.
- Proposed techniques offer a pathway to enhance the efficiency of quantum cooling devices.
- The findings are applicable to practical, complex heat devices.
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