Elements of Energy Conversion

Book excerpt: Elements of Energy Conversion brings together scattered information on the subject of energy conversion and presents it in terms of the fundamental thermodynamics that apply to energy conversion by any process. Emphasis is given to the development of the theory of heat engines because these are and will remain most important power sources. Descriptive material is then presented to provide elementary information on all important energy conversion devices. The book contains 10 chapters and opens with a discussion of forms of energy, energy sources and storage, and energy conversion. This is followed by separate chapters on thermal properties and relations, heat engines, chemical energy, electrochemical processes, and solar energy. Subsequent chapters deal with thermoelectricity, thermionic generators, radioisotope power sources, and energy storage.