Linear Irreversible Thermodynamics, Efficiency and Coefficient of Performance of Thermal Brownian Motors in Tight Coupling
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
We analytically study a thermal Brownian motor and calculate exactly the Onsager's
coe±cients in equilibrium and steady state conditions. We show that the reciprocity
relation holds and the determinant of the Onsager's matrix vanishes. Such a condi-
tion implies that the device is built with tight coupling. This tells us why Carnot's
e±ciency can be achieved in the limit of in¯nitely slow velocities (quasistatic pro-
cess). We also ¯nd the e±ciency and the coe±cient of performance for our model
at these conditions using Onsager's coe±cients. The e±ciency and the coe±cient of
performance that we found using the tools of LIT is exactly the same as the Carnot's
e±ciency and coe±cient of performance. Also we ¯nd the e±ciency (at maximum
power) and the maximum coe±cient of performance of the Brownian refrigerator
to be exactly identical with the the corrosponding results of Curzon - Alhborn and
Carnot's refrgerator for perfectly tight coupling model
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Linear Irreversible Thermodynamics