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Validity of path thermodynamics in reactive systems
M Malek Mansour1, Alejandro L Garcia2
1Center for Nonlinear Phenomena and Complex Systems, Université Libre de Bruxelles CP 231, Campus Plaine, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
Physical Review. E
|June 25, 2020
Summary
The path thermodynamic formulation for nonequilibrium reactive systems may yield results contradicting established thermodynamic laws. Mathematical analysis confirms these discrepancies in practical examples.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Chemical Kinetics
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Nonequilibrium systems present unique thermodynamic challenges.
- Understanding reactive systems far from equilibrium is crucial for various scientific fields.
- Existing thermodynamic formulations may require re-evaluation for dynamic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the validity of the path thermodynamic formulation for nonequilibrium reactive systems.
- To identify potential contradictions between this formulation and established thermodynamic principles.
- To provide mathematical rigor to the observed discrepancies.
Main Methods:
- Application of the path thermodynamic formulation to simple, practical nonequilibrium reactive systems.
- Detailed mathematical analysis of the formulation's predictions.
- Comparison of theoretical results with known thermodynamic properties.
Main Results:
- The path thermodynamic formulation produced results inconsistent with fundamental thermodynamic properties.
- Simple examples demonstrated the potential for the formulation to violate established laws.
- Rigorous mathematical proofs confirmed the contradictions.
Conclusions:
- The path thermodynamic formulation, as applied, is not universally applicable to nonequilibrium reactive systems.
- This formulation may lead to thermodynamically inconsistent outcomes.
- Further refinement or alternative approaches are needed for accurate thermodynamic descriptions of such systems.
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