Finite-time thermodynamics

Summary

Finite-time thermodynamics studies thermodynamic processes and cycles that must be completed in a finite time. Heat and matter then flow at finite rates, driven by finite differences of temperature or chemical potential, and this causes losses. It asks for the best performance under such rate constraints, for example the largest power of a heat engine. Its basic model is the endoreversible engine, which leads to the Curzon–Ahlborn efficiency.