scholarly journals The (love & hate) role of entropy in process metallurgy

2019 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halvard Tveit ◽  
Leiv Kolbeinsen

Process metallurgy is the basis for the production, refining and recycling of metals and is based on knowledge of transport phenomena, thermodynamics and reaction kinetics, and of their interaction in high-temperature, heterogeneous metallurgical processes. The entropy concept is crucial in describing such systems, but, because entropy is not directly observable, some effort is required to grasp the role of entropy in process metallurgy. In this paper, we will give some examples of how entropy has a positive effect on efforts to reach the process objectives in some cases, while in other cases, entropy acts in contradiction to the desired results. In order to do this, it is necessary to have a closer look at both the entropy concept itself as well as at other functions like free energy and exergy since they encompass entropy. The chosen case is the production of silicon. It is the huge entropy change in the process that is utilized. The case is not chosen arbitrary. Indeed, it is the authors’ strong belief that silicon will be one of the foundations for the environmental and energy future planned for in the “Paris-agreement”. We will also explore relatively recent research in physics and thermodynamics that led to the description of the concepts like “dissipative systems and structures”. Dissipative systems are thermodynamically open systems, operating out of, and often far from thermodynamic equilibrium and exhibit dynamical regimes that are in some sense in a reproducible self-organized steady state. Such structures can arise almost everywhere provided this structure, feeding on low entropy resources, dissipates entropy generated in the form of heat and waste material in parallel with the wanted products/results. Examples range from metallurgical processes to the emergence of industrial symbiosis.

2002 ◽  
Vol 38 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sesták

The notion of heat is thoroughly analyzed and its historical links are searched particularly with relation to both the Greek philosophy (Milesians, Pythagoreans, atomists, etc.) and in the present day thermal physics. Fluctuation, spontaneity and chaos are discussed. Thermodynamics is reviewed in the relation to both the traditional development and the modern description of disequilibria (open systems). Effect of dissipation is shown often to provide new, self-organized structures. Exploitation of fire and its conscious use as a manufacturing power are analyzed in terms of generalized engines to act in the sense of the information transducers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (144) ◽  
pp. 20180159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doron Lancet ◽  
Raphael Zidovetzki ◽  
Omer Markovitch

Life is that which replicates and evolves, but there is no consensus on how life emerged. We advocate a systems protobiology view, whereby the first replicators were assemblies of spontaneously accreting, heterogeneous and mostly non-canonical amphiphiles. This view is substantiated by rigorous chemical kinetics simulations of the graded autocatalysis replication domain (GARD) model, based on the notion that the replication or reproduction of compositional information predated that of sequence information. GARD reveals the emergence of privileged non-equilibrium assemblies (composomes), which portray catalysis-based homeostatic (concentration-preserving) growth. Such a process, along with occasional assembly fission, embodies cell-like reproduction. GARD pre-RNA evolution is evidenced in the selection of different composomes within a sparse fitness landscape, in response to environmental chemical changes. These observations refute claims that GARD assemblies (or other mutually catalytic networks in the metabolism first scenario) cannot evolve. Composomes represent both a genotype and a selectable phenotype, anteceding present-day biology in which the two are mostly separated. Detailed GARD analyses show attractor-like transitions from random assemblies to self-organized composomes, with negative entropy change, thus establishing composomes as dissipative systems—hallmarks of life. We show a preliminary new version of our model, metabolic GARD (M-GARD), in which lipid covalent modifications are orchestrated by non-enzymatic lipid catalysts, themselves compositionally reproduced. M-GARD fills the gap of the lack of true metabolism in basic GARD, and is rewardingly supported by a published experimental instance of a lipid-based mutually catalytic network. Anticipating near-future far-reaching progress of molecular dynamics, M-GARD is slated to quantitatively depict elaborate protocells, with orchestrated reproduction of both lipid bilayer and lumenal content. Finally, a GARD analysis in a whole-planet context offers the potential for estimating the probability of life's emergence. The invigorated GARD scrutiny presented in this review enhances the validity of autocatalytic sets as a bona fide early evolution scenario and provides essential infrastructure for a paradigm shift towards a systems protobiology view of life's origin.


1999 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 31-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Katilius ◽  
A. Matulionis ◽  
R. Raguotis ◽  
I. Matulionienė

The goal of the paper is to overview contemporary theoretical and experimental research of the microwave electric noise and fluctuations of hot carriers in semiconductors, revealing sensitivity of the noise spectra to non-linearity in the applied electric field strength and, especially, in the carrier density. During the last years, investigation of electronic noise and electron diffusion phenomena in doped semiconductors was in a rapid progress. By combining analytic and Monte Carlo methods as well as the available experimental results on noise, it became possible to obtain the electron diffusion coefficients in the range of electric fields where inter-electron collisions are important and Price’s relation is not necessarily valid. Correspondingly, a special attention to the role of inter-electron collisions and of the non-linearity in the carrier density while shaping electric noise and diffusion phenomena in the non-equilibrium states will be paid. The basic and up-to-date information will be presented on methods and advances in this contemporary field - the field in which methods of non-linear analytic and computational analysis are indispensable while seeking coherent understanding and interpretation of experimental results.


2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Al Basir ◽  
Y. N. Kyrychko ◽  
K. B. Blyuss ◽  
S. Ray

AbstractMany plant diseases are caused by plant viruses that are often transmitted to plants by vectors. For instance, the cassava mosaic disease, which is spread by whiteflies, has a significant negative effect on plant growth and development. Since only mature whiteflies can contribute to the spread of the cassava mosaic virus, and the maturation time is non-negligible compared to whitefly lifetime, it is important to consider the effects this maturation time can have on the dynamics. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model for dynamics of cassava mosaic disease that includes immature and mature vectors and explicitly includes a time delay representing vector maturation time. A special feature of our plant epidemic model is that vector recruitment is negatively related to the delayed ratio between vector density and plant density. We identify conditions of biological feasibility and stability of different steady states in terms of system parameters and the time delay. Numerical stability analyses and simulations are performed to explore the role of various parameters, and to illustrate the behaviour of the model in different dynamical regimes. We show that the maturation delay may stabilise epidemiological dynamics that would otherwise be cyclic.


StandardView ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-26
Author(s):  
Roy McKean
Keyword(s):  

2011 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 969-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juergen Reif ◽  
Olga Varlamova ◽  
Sergej Varlamov ◽  
Michael Bestehorn

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Martín Pendás ◽  
Evelio Francisco

<p>We now show that Clark and Davidson local spins operators are perfectly defined subsystem operators if a fragment is taken as an <i>open quantum system</i> (OQS). Open systems have become essential in quantum control and quantum computation, but have not received much attention in Chemistry. We have already shown (<i>J. Chem. Theory Comput</i>. <b>2018</b>, <i>15</i>, 1079) how real space OQSs can be defined in molecular systems and how they offer new insights relating quantum mechanical entaglement and chemical bonding. The OQS account of local spin that we offer yields a rigorous, yet easily accessible way to rationalize local spin values. A fragment is found in a mixed state direct sum of sectors characterized by different number of electrons that occur with different probabilities. The local spin is then a weighted sum of otherwise standard <i>S</i>(<i>S</i>+1) values. With OQS glasses, it is obvious that atomic or fragment spins should not vanish. Our approach thus casts doubts on any procedure used to annihilate them, like those used by Mayer and coworkers. OQS local spins allow for a fruitful use of models. One can propose easily sector probabilities for localized, covalent, ionic, zwitterionic, etc. situations, and examine their ideal local spins. We have mapped all 2c-2e cases, and shown how to do that in general multielectron cases. The role of electron correlation is also studied by tuning the Hubbard U/t parameter for H chains. Correlation induced localization changes the spin-coupling patterns even qualitatively, and show how the limiting antiferromagnet arises.</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Fenzl

How order emerges from noise? How higher complexity arises from lower complexity? For what reason a certain number of open systems start interacting in a coherent way, producing new structures, building up cohesion and new structural boundaries? To answer these questions we need to precise the concepts we use to describe open and complex systems and the basic driving forces of self-organization.   We assume that self-organization processes are related to the flow and throughput of Energy and Matter and the production of system-specific Information. These two processes are intimately linked together: Energy and Material flows are the fundamental carriers of signs, which are processed by the internal structure of the system to produce system-specific structural Information (Is). So far, the present theoretical reflections are focused on the emergence of open systems and on the role of Energy Flows and Information in a self-organizing process. Based on the assumption that Energy, Mass and Information are intrinsically linked together and are fundamental aspects of the Universe, we discuss how they might be related to each other and how they are able to produce the emergence of new structures and systems. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 845 ◽  
pp. 392-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemant Khatri ◽  
Pavel Berloff

The dynamics of multiple alternating oceanic jets has been studied in the presence of a simple bottom topography with constant slope in the zonal direction. A baroclinic quasi-geostrophic model forced with a horizontally uniform and vertically sheared background flow generates mesoscale eddies and jets that are tilted from the zonal direction and drift with constant speed. The governing dynamical equations are rewritten in a tilted frame of reference moving with the jets, and the cross-jet time-mean profiles of the linear and nonlinear stress terms are analysed. Here, the linear stress terms are present because of the zonally asymmetric topography. It is demonstrated that the linear dynamics controls the drift mechanism. Also, it is found that the drifting jets are directly forced by the imposed vertical shear, whereas the eddies oppose the jets, although this is limited to continuously forced dissipative systems. This role of the eddies is opposite to the one in the classical baroclinic model of stationary, zonally symmetric multiple jets. This is expected to be more generic in the ocean, which is zonally asymmetric nearly everywhere.


2021 ◽  
Vol MA2021-01 (48) ◽  
pp. 1952-1952
Author(s):  
Alfredo Calderón Cárdenas ◽  
Enrique Adalberto Paredes Salazar ◽  
Hamilton Varela

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