Entropic Balance Conditions and Optimization of Distillation Column System.

The paper considers the limitation problem of the distillation column systems separating multicomponent mixtures with serial and parallel structures. The solution takes into account the irreversibility of processes. Using entropic balance conditions, the dependence of load on heat consumption is obtained for a binary distillation column.

Averaged Optimization and Finite-Time Thermodynamics.

The paper considers typical extremum problems that contain mean values of control variables or some functions of these variables. Relationships between such problems and cyclic modes of dynamical systems are explained and optimality conditions for these modes are found. The paper shows how these problems are linked to the field of finite-time thermodynamics.

Finite-Time Thermodynamics in Economics.

In this paper, we consider optimal trading processes in economic systems. The analysis is based on accounting for irreversibility factors using the wealth function concept. The existence of the welfare function is proved, the concept of capital dissipation is introduced as a measure of the irreversibility of processes in the microeconomic system, and the economic balances are recorded, including capital dissipation.

Finding limiting possibilities of thermodynamic systems by optimization.

We consider typical problems of the field called the finite time thermodynamics (also called the optimization thermodynamics). We also outline selected formal methods applied to solve these problems and discuss some results obtained. It is shown that by introducing constraints imposed on the intensity of fluxes and on the magnitude of coefficients in kinetic equations, it is possible not only to investigate limiting possibilities of thermodynamic systems within the considered class of irreversible processes, but also to state and solve problems whose formulation has no meaning in the class of reversible processes.

Optimal separation sequence for three-component mixtures.

In this paper, the problem of finding the optimal separation sequence for a three-component mixture in a cascade of two binary separation stages is considered. The minimal energy that is needed for a separation in a two-stage mechanical separation subject to a given flow rate of the input mixture is obtained. Optimization is achieved by selecting the optimal sequence of binary separations and by distributing mass-exchange surfaces between separation stages optimally.