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The Characteristics of the Exergy Reference Environment and Its Implications for Sustainability-Based Decision-Making

Author

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  • Kyrke Gaudreau

    (Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Roydon A. Fraser

    (Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Stephen Murphy

    (Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada)

Abstract

In the energy realm there is a pressing need to make decisions in a complex world characterized by biophysical limits. Exergy has been promoted as a preferred means of characterizing the impacts of resource consumption and waste production for the purpose of improving decision-making. This paper provides a unique and critical analysis of universal and comprehensive formulations of the chemical exergy reference environment, for the purpose of better understanding how exergy can inform decision-making. Four related insights emerged from the analysis, notably: (1) standard and universal chemical exergy reference environments necessarily encounter internal inconsistencies and even contradictions in their very formulations; (2) these inconsistencies are a result of incompatibility between the exergy reference environment and natural environment, and the desire to model the exergy reference environment after the natural environment so as to maintain analytical relevance; (3) the topics for which exergy is most appropriate as an analytical tool are not well served by comprehensive reference environments, and (4) the inconsistencies point to a need for deeper reflection of whether it is appropriate to adopt a thermodynamic frame of analysis for situations whose relevant characteristics are non-thermodynamic (e.g., to characterize scarcity). The use of comprehensive reference environments may lead to incorrect recommendations and ultimately reduce its appeal for informing decision-making. Exergy may better inform decision-making by returning to process dependent reference states that model specific processes and situations for the purpose of engineering optimization.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyrke Gaudreau & Roydon A. Fraser & Stephen Murphy, 2012. "The Characteristics of the Exergy Reference Environment and Its Implications for Sustainability-Based Decision-Making," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(7), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:5:y:2012:i:7:p:2197-2213:d:18709
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    1. Kai Whiting & Luis Gabriel Carmona & Angeles Carrasco & Tânia Sousa, 2017. "Exergy Replacement Cost of Fossil Fuels: Closing the Carbon Cycle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Sanober Hassan Khattak & Michael Oates & Rick Greenough, 2018. "Towards Improved Energy and Resource Management in Manufacturing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Petar Sabev Varbanov & Hon Huin Chin & Alexandra-Elena Plesu Popescu & Stanislav Boldyryev, 2020. "Thermodynamics-Based Process Sustainability Evaluation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-28, April.
    4. Wiesberg, Igor Lapenda & Brigagão, George Victor & Araújo, Ofélia de Queiroz F. & de Medeiros, José Luiz, 2019. "Carbon dioxide management via exergy-based sustainability assessment: Carbon Capture and Storage versus conversion to methanol," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 720-732.

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