Titre : From equilibrium thermodynamics to Finite physical Dimensions Optimal Thermodynamics: selective synthesis and new results 

Auteurs : Michel Feidt
, Monica Costea,  

Revue : Entropy: Thermodynamics – Energy – Environment – Economy  

Numéro : Special issue LILA 3 

Volume : 7 

Date : 2026/04/10 

DOI :  

ISSN : 2634-1476 

Résumé : Present paper reports on a selective review of international works, and specifically those that have been published in International Journal of Thermal Sciences (previously Revue Générale de Thermique ). This review is the proof of the continuous interest for optimizations of thermomechanical engines but not only. We observe that numerous papers are concerned by other systems and processes, among them the ones devoted to reverse cycles machines (refrigerating machines, air conditioning, heat pump, cryogenics), but also thermochemical processes, fuel cells for example. Here we consider exclusively thermomechanical engines, and particularly Carnot engine. We revisit the modeling of thermomechanical engines, completed by extensions of the Carnot model in direction of the Chambadal modeling that focuses on the fundamental influence of heat transfer entropy, and entropy production through internal and external irreversibilities of the thermomechanical converter. This part remains original to our knowledge and gives up new results concerning first law efficiencies at maximum power, but also some more fundamental aspects: equipartition; minimum of entropy production; new concepts (action of entropy production related to time, or better said durations). 

Éditeur : ISTE OpenScience