Exergy as a Useful Variable for Quickly Assessing the Theoretical Maximum Power of Salinity Gradient Energy Systems
It is known that mechanical work, and in turn electricity, can be produced from a difference in the chemical potential that may result from a salinity gradient. Such a gradient may be found, for instance, in an estuary where a stream of soft water is flooding into a sink of salty water which we may...
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MDPI AG
2009-11-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/11/4/798/ |
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doaj-d69b6f9943b449419f07598e73917e592020-11-24T22:59:10ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002009-11-0111479880610.3390/e11040798Exergy as a Useful Variable for Quickly Assessing the Theoretical Maximum Power of Salinity Gradient Energy SystemsRaynald LabrecqueIt is known that mechanical work, and in turn electricity, can be produced from a difference in the chemical potential that may result from a salinity gradient. Such a gradient may be found, for instance, in an estuary where a stream of soft water is flooding into a sink of salty water which we may find in an ocean, gulf or salt lake. Various technological approaches are proposed for the production of energy from a salinity gradient between a stream of soft water and a source of salty water. Before considering the implementation of a typical technology, it is of utmost importance to be able to compare various technological approaches, on the same basis, using the appropriate variables and mathematical formulations. In this context, exergy balance can become a very useful tool for an easy and quick evaluation of the maximum thermodynamic work that can be produced from energy systems. In this short paper, we briefly introduce the use of exergy for enabling us to easily and quickly assess the theoretical maximum power or ideal reversible work we may expect from typical salinity gradient energy systems. http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/11/4/798/exergysalinity gradient energy systemselectric power |
| collection |
DOAJ |
| language |
English |
| format |
Article |
| sources |
DOAJ |
| author |
Raynald Labrecque |
| spellingShingle |
Raynald Labrecque Exergy as a Useful Variable for Quickly Assessing the Theoretical Maximum Power of Salinity Gradient Energy Systems Entropy exergy salinity gradient energy systems electric power |
| author_facet |
Raynald Labrecque |
| author_sort |
Raynald Labrecque |
| title |
Exergy as a Useful Variable for Quickly Assessing the Theoretical Maximum Power of Salinity Gradient Energy Systems |
| title_short |
Exergy as a Useful Variable for Quickly Assessing the Theoretical Maximum Power of Salinity Gradient Energy Systems |
| title_full |
Exergy as a Useful Variable for Quickly Assessing the Theoretical Maximum Power of Salinity Gradient Energy Systems |
| title_fullStr |
Exergy as a Useful Variable for Quickly Assessing the Theoretical Maximum Power of Salinity Gradient Energy Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Exergy as a Useful Variable for Quickly Assessing the Theoretical Maximum Power of Salinity Gradient Energy Systems |
| title_sort |
exergy as a useful variable for quickly assessing the theoretical maximum power of salinity gradient energy systems |
| publisher |
MDPI AG |
| series |
Entropy |
| issn |
1099-4300 |
| publishDate |
2009-11-01 |
| description |
It is known that mechanical work, and in turn electricity, can be produced from a difference in the chemical potential that may result from a salinity gradient. Such a gradient may be found, for instance, in an estuary where a stream of soft water is flooding into a sink of salty water which we may find in an ocean, gulf or salt lake. Various technological approaches are proposed for the production of energy from a salinity gradient between a stream of soft water and a source of salty water. Before considering the implementation of a typical technology, it is of utmost importance to be able to compare various technological approaches, on the same basis, using the appropriate variables and mathematical formulations. In this context, exergy balance can become a very useful tool for an easy and quick evaluation of the maximum thermodynamic work that can be produced from energy systems. In this short paper, we briefly introduce the use of exergy for enabling us to easily and quickly assess the theoretical maximum power or ideal reversible work we may expect from typical salinity gradient energy systems. |
| topic |
exergy salinity gradient energy systems electric power |
| url |
http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/11/4/798/ |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT raynaldlabrecque exergyasausefulvariableforquicklyassessingthetheoreticalmaximumpowerofsalinitygradientenergysystems |
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