Entropy and Energy: Toward a Definition of Physical Sustainability (Paper)
Posted by: Karl Ramjohn
A different perspective towards developing an “environmental” approach to defining sustainability…
> Entropy and Energy: Toward a Definition of Physical Sustainability
ABSTRACT
Sustainable development is a growing concern expressed by many businesses, organizations and individuals. Yet, no workable quantifiable definition of sustainability is available for evaluation of specific projects or operations.
This paper attempts to set a framework for such a definition in terms of the first and second law of thermodynamics. Specifically, the proposed description of sustainability relates the fundamental processes of chemical, physical or biological transformation, and mass transport to energy and entropy changes.
Unlike previous applications of these concepts, the proposed definition is focused on the smallest unit operations and processes while allowing for aggregation into larger systems. The proposed description also explicitly considers the time horizon for sustainability. An example of sustainability analysis for a water treatment process is included.
CITATION:
Slawomir W. Hermanowicz, “Entropy and Energy: Toward a Definition of Physical Sustainability” (December 1, 2005). Water Resources Center Archives. Working Papers. Paper swr_v2.
http://repositories.cdlib.org/wrca/wp/swr_v2
Link to full paper (pdf) –> http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/vi…8&context=wrca
Hello Karl
Internet join and come together ppl of same conscious.
Keep on your good work
Abraços (hugs) from Portugal
Will be back
João Soares
November 17, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Hello João Soares,
Thanks for the comments and feedback
Regards,
Karl
Karl Ramjohn
November 18, 2008 at 6:58 am