Exergy, exergy costing, and renewability analysis of energy conversion processes

Abstract

This chapter introduces the foundations of the exergy, exergy production cost, and renewability analysis of energy conversion processes. Based on the concept of reversible work, the concept of exergy is derived and the exergy balance is presented as a combination of the energy and entropy balances. Some graphical representations are shown in which it is possible to determine or represent exergy and exergy balances. The exergy efficiency is introduced based on a general definition of efficiency, and the balance of cost is presented as an additional balance equation to be used in the performance analysis of energy systems. A brief discussion on cost partition criteria is presented to aid the analysis of the cost formation processes of the products of energy conversion processes. Finally, the renewability of energy conversion processes is analysed by means of a renewability exergy index that takes into account the type of inputs, renewable or fossil, the wastes, and the destroyed exergy of a given energy conversion process.