Entransy analysis of open thermodynamic systems

The concept of entransy developed in recent years can describe the heat transport ability. This paper extends this concept to the open thermodynamic system and defines the concept of enthalpy entransy. The entransy balance equation of steady open thermodynamic systems, as well as the concept of entransy loss, is developed. The entransy balance equation is applied to analyzing and discussing the air standard cycle. It is found that the entransy loss rate can describe the change in net power output from the cycle but the entropy generation rate cannot when the heat absorbed by the working medium is from the combustion reaction of the gas fuel. When the working medium is heated by a high temperature stream, both the maximum entransy loss rate and the minimum entropy generation rate correspond to the maximum net power output from the cycle. Hence, the concept of entransy loss is an appropriate figure of merit that describes the cycle performance.