The improvement of Clausius entropy and its application in entropy analysis

The defects of Clausius entropy which include a premise of reversible process and a process quantity of heat in its definition are discussed in this paper. Moreover, the heat temperature quotient under reversible conditions, i.e. (δQ/T)_rev, is essentially a process quantity although it is numerically equal to the entropy change. The sum of internal energy temperature quotient and work temperature quotient is defined as the improved form of Clausius entropy and it can be further proved to be a state function. Unlike Clausius entropy, the improved definition consists of system properties without premise just like other state functions, for example, pressure p and enthalpy h, etc. It is unnecessary to invent reversible paths when calculating entropy change for irreversible processes based on the improved form of entropy since it is independent of process. Furthermore, entropy balance equations for internally and externally irreversible processes are deduced respectively based on the concepts of thermal reservoir entropy transfer and system entropy transfer. Finally, some examples are presented to show that the improved definition of Clausius entropy provides a clear concept as well as a convenient method for entropy change calculation. Supported by the National Basic Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB206901)