Towards an Exergy Analysis of Diffusive and Non-Diffusive Processes in Living Organisms

Abstract:

Living organisms are open dissipative thermodynamic systems that rely on mechano-thermo-electrochemical interactions to survive. Plant physiological processes allow plants to survive by converting solar radiation into chemical energy, and store that energy in form that can be used. Mammals catabolize food to obtain energy that is used to fuel, build and repair the cellular components. The exergy balance is a combined statement of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. It provides insight into the performance of systems. In this paper, exergy balance equations for both mammal’s and green plants are presented and analyzed.

• Periodical: Diffusion Foundations (Volume 7)
• Pages: 177-184
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/DF.7.177
• Online since: June 2016
• Authors: Antonio Ferreira Miguel*
• Keywords: Exergy Analysis, Exergy Balance, Green Plants, Human Body, Living Organisms, Mammals

References

[1] A. J. Lotka, Contribution to the energetics of evolution, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 8 (1922) 147–151.

[2] A. J. Lotka, Natural selection as a physical principle, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 8 (1922) 151–154.

[3] I. Prigogine, Structure, dissipation and life, in: M. Marois (Ed. ), Theoretical Physics and Biology, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1969, p.23–52.

[4] P. Glansdorff, I. Prigogine, Thermodynamic Theory of Structure, Stability, and Fluctuations, Wiley-Interscience, New York, (1971).

DOI: 10.1126/science.176.4042.1410

[5] D. Kondepudi, I. Prigogine, Modern Thermodynamics, From Heat Engine to Dissipative Structures, Wiley, New York, (1999).

[6] A. F. Miguel, Quantitative unifying theory of natural design of flow systems: emergence and evolution, in: L. Rocha, S. Lorente, A. Bejan (Eds. ), Constructal Law and the Unifying Principle of Design, Springer, New York, 2013, chapter 2, p.21–38.

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5049-8_2

[7] I. Prigogine, Time, structure, and fluctuations, Science 201 (2001) 777–785.

[8] A. F. Miguel, The emergence of design in pedestrian dynamics: locomotion, self-organization, walking paths and constructal law, Physics of Life Reviews 10 (2013) 168–190.

DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2013.03.007

[9] A. F. Miguel, Toward an optimal design principle in symmetric and asymmetric tree flow networks, Journal of Theoretical Biology 389 (2016) 101-109.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2015.10.027

[10] I. Dincer, Y. A. Cengel, Energy, entropy and exergy concepts and their roles in thermal engineering, Entropy 3 (2001) 116–149.

DOI: 10.3390/e3030116

[11] A. F. Miguel, M. Aydin, Ocean exergy and energy conversion systems, Int. J. of Exergy 10 (2013) 454–470.

DOI: 10.1504/ijex.2012.047507

[12] A. F. Miguel, A study of entropy generation in tree-shaped flow structures, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 92 (2016) 349–359.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2015.08.067

[13] H. Ziegler, Introduction to Thermomechanics, North-Holland, Amsterdam, (1983).

[14] H. Ziegler, C. Wehrli, On a principle of maximal rate of entropy production, J. Non-Equilib. Thermodyn. 12 (1987) 229–243.

[15] L. M. Martyusheva, V. D. Seleznev, Maximum entropy production principle in physics, chemistry and biology, Physics Reports 426 (2006) 1– 45.

DOI: 10.1016/j.physrep.2005.12.001

[16] M. Batato, L. Borel, O. Deriaz, E. Jequier, Analyse exergétique théorique et expérimentale du corps humain, Entropie: Énergétique et Dynamique des Systèmes Complexes: la revue internationale des sciences et techniques en énergétique, génie chimique, génie biologique 153/154 (1990).

DOI: 10.3917/dunod.feidt.2014.01.0861

[17] M. Prek, Thermodynamical analysis of human thermal comfort, Energy 31 (2006) 732–743.

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2005.05.001

[18] M. Saito, M. Shukuya, The human body consumes exergy for thermal comfort, Low-Ex News 37(2): 5e6. IEA/ECBCS-Annex, (2001).

[19] M. Shukuya, M. Saito, K. Isawa, T. Iwamatsu, H. Asada, Human-body exergy balance and thermal comfort, IEA/ECBCS-Annex49 Report, (2010).

[20] A. Simone, J. Kolarik, T. Iwamatsu, H. Asada, M. Dovjak, L. Schellen L, M. Shukuya, B.W. Olesen, A relation between calculated human body exergy consumption rate and subjectively assessed thermal sensation, Energy and Buildings 43 (2011) 1–9.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2010.08.007

[21] C. E. K. Mady, M. S. Ferreira, J. I. Yanagihara, P. H. N. Saldiva, S. Oliveira Jr., Modeling the exergy behavior of human body, Energy 4 (2012) 546–553.

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.02.064

[22] C. E. K. Mady, M. S. Ferreira, J. I. Yanagihara, S. Oliveira Jr., Human body exergy analysis and the assessment of thermal comfort conditions, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 77 (2014) 577–584.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2014.05.039

[23] A. Simone, J. Kolarik, T. Iwamatsu, H. Asada, M. Dovjak, L. Schellen, M. Shukuya, B. W. Olesen, A relation between calculated human body exergy consumption rate and subjectively assessed thermal sensation, Energy and Buildings 43 (2011) 1–9.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2010.08.007

[24] G. Bisio, A. Bisio, Some thermodynamic remarks on photosynthetic energy conversion, Energy Conversion and Management, 39(1998) 741–748.

DOI: 10.1016/s0196-8904(97)10042-5

[25] A. H. Reis, A. F. Miguel, Analysis of the exergy balance of green leaves. International Journal of Exergy, 3 (2006) 231–238.

DOI: 10.1504/ijex.2006.009779

[26] S.E. Jørgensen, Y. M. Svirezhev, Towards a Thermodynamic Theory for Ecological Systems, Elsevier, Amsterdam, (2004).

[27] R. Petela, An approach to the exergy analysis of photosynthesis, Solar Energy 82 (2008) 311–328.

DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2007.09.002

[28] S. Lems, H. J. van der Kooi, J. de Swaan Arons, Exergy analyses of the biochemical processes of photosynthesis, Int. J. Exergy 7 (2010) 333–351.

DOI: 10.1504/ijex.2010.031988

[29] C. S. Silva, W. D. Seider, N. Lior, Exergy efficiency of plant photosynthesis, Chemical Engineering Science 130 (2015) 151–171.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2015.02.011

[30] A. Bejan, I. Dincer, S. Lorente, A. F. Miguel, A. H. Reis, Porous and Complex Flow Structures in Modern Technologies, Springer, New York, (2004).

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4757-4221-3

[31] M. Pessarakli, Handbook of photosynthesis, 2nd ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, (2005).

[32] A. F. Miguel, A. Silva, Solar irradiation in diffusely enclosures with partitions, Applied Energy 87 (2010) 836–842.

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.10.003

[33] I. Muñoz, L. M. Canals, R. Clift, G. Doka, A simple model to include human excretion and wastewater treatment in Life Cycle Assessment of food products, Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey, Guildford (Surrey), (2007).

[34] J. M. Berg, J. L. Tymoczko, L. Stryer, Biochemistry, W. H. Freeman, New York, (2002).

[35] A. F. Miguel, Lungs as a natural porous media: architecture, airflow characteristics and transport of suspended particles, in: J.M.P.Q. Delgado (Ed. ), Heat and Mass Transfer in Porous Media, Advanced Structured Materials Series (volume 13), Springer, Berlin, 2012, chapter 5, p.115.

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-21966-5_5

[36] J. R. B. Lighton, Measuring Metabolic Rates: A Manual for Scientists, Oxford University Press, Oxford, (2008).

[37] A. C. Burton, O. G. Edholm, Man in a Cold Environment, Edward Arnold, London, (1955).