Reversible Process Thermodynamics- Thermodynamics

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Reversible Process

A reversible process for a system is defined as a process that, once having taken place, can be reversed, and in so doing leaves no change in either the system or surroundings. In other words the system and surroundings are returned to their original condition before the process took place. In reality, there are no truly reversible processes; however, for analysis purposes, one uses reversible to make the analysis simpler, and to determine maximum theoretical efficiencies. Therefore, the reversible process is an appropriate starting point on which to base engineering study and calculation.

Although the reversible process can be approximated, it can never be matched by real processes. One way to make real processes approximate reversible process is to carry out the process in a series of small or infinitesimal steps. For example, heat transfer may be considered reversible if it occurs due to a small temperature difference between the system and its surroundings. For example, transferring heat across a temperature difference of 0.00001 F "appears" to be more reversible than for transferring heat across a temperature difference of 100 F. Therefore, by cooling or heating the system in a number of infinitesimally small steps, we can approximate a reversible process. Although not practical for real processes, this method is beneficial for thermodynamic studies since the rate at which processes occur is not important.