Large-Scale Inhomogeneous Thermodynamics
--And applications for atmospheric energetics

Yong Zhu

Contents       

1 Introduction

2 Two classical physical systems
    2.1 Introduction
    2.2 The Newtonian systems
    2.3 Dynamic entropy
    2.4 Simple thermodynamic systems
        2.4.1 Mole-number and molecular mass
        2.4.2 Thermodynamic variables
        2.4.3 Pressure of monatomic gas
    2.5 The first law of thermodynamics
    2.6 State equation of gases
    2.7 State equation of ideal gases
        2.7.1 Ideal-gas equation
        2.7.2 More features of ideal gases
    2.8 Thermodynamic energy law of ideal gases
    2.9 Internal energy and heat exchange
    2.10 Polytropic process

3 Molecular transport properties
  
3.1 Introduction
    3.2 Diffusion velocity and partial velocities
        3.2.1 Diffusion element and diffusion velocity
        3.2.2 Partial velocities
        3.2.3 Diffusion velocity in non-uniform ideal gases
    3.3 Self-diffusion of ideal gases
        3.3.1 Diffusive mass flux
        3.3.2 Coefficient of self-diffusion
    3.4 Viscosity of ideal gases
        3.4.1 Diffusive momentum flux
        3.4.2 Momentum conduction
        3.4.3 Coefficient of viscosity
        3.4.4 Relation to self-diffusion
    3.5 Heat conduction of ideal gases
        3.5.1 Conductive heat flux
        3.5.2 Heat conductivity
        3.5.3 Modified Eucken formula
        3.5.4 Collisional heat capacity
        3.5.5 Comparison with experiments

4 Predictability and thermodynamic entropy
  
4.1 Introduction
    4.2 Change rate in diffusion processes
    4.3 Mass conservation law
       4.3.1 Mass diffusion equation
       4.3.2 Mass conservation
       4.3.3 Diffusive transport equation
    4.4 Unpredictability in classical thermodynamics
    4.5 Thermodynamic entropy law for uniform states
    4.6 Relation to disorderliness
    4.7 Inadditive and scale-dependent features
    4.8 For open systems
    4.9 Relation to dynamic entropy
    4.10 Calculations for ideal gases

5 Newtonian-thermodynamic system
  
5.1 Introduction
    5.2 Field variables
    5.3 Parcel and parcel velocity
    5.4 Mass and heat transport equations
        5.4.1 Heat flux equation
        5.4.2 Continuity equations
        5.4.3 Integrated variations in a system
    5.5 Inhomogeneous thermodynamic system
        5.5.1 Adiabatic and transport processes
                 Adiabatic processes
                 Transport processes
        5.5.2 Inhomogeneous thermodynamics
    5.6 Momentum equation of atmosphere
    5.7 Shallow water dynamics
    5.8 Newtonian-thermodynamic system

6 Turbulent entropy and universal principle
   
6.1 Introduction
    6.2 Simple turbulent process
    6.3 Thermodynamic entropy of turbulent system
    6.4 Grid thermometers
    6.5 Turbulent entropy
    6.6 Turbulent entropy law
    6.7 Difference from classical thermodynamic entropy
        6.7.1 General discussion
        6.7.2 Example
    6.8 Turbulent entropy and disorderliness
    6.9 Universal principle
        6.9.1 The principle
        6.9.2 Applications
    6.10 Partition functions 
    6.11 Heat capacity and van der Waals equation

7 Basic conservation laws
  
7.1 Introduction
    7.2 Parcel and local energy equations
        7.2.1 Mechanic energy equation
        7.2.2 Bernoulli's equation
        7.2.3 Local energy equation
    7.3 System energy equation
        7.3.1 From kinetic theory of gases
        7.3.2 For the whole atmosphere
        7.3.3 For a part of atmosphere
    7.4 Energy conversions
        7.4.1 Conversion functions
        7.4.2 Total potential energy and enthalpy
    7.5 Potential enthalpy conservation

8 Thermodynamic and geopotential entropies
    8.1 Introduction
    8.2 Thermodynamic entropy variations
        8.2.1 General expression
        8.2.2 Variation tendencies
    8.3 Baroclinic entropy
    8.4 Barotropic entropy
    8.5 Thermodynamic entropy level
    8.6 Static entropy
    8.7 Pseudo-reversible process
    8.8 The reference state
    8.9 Thermo-static entropy level
    8.10 Geopotential entropy
        8.10.1 For parcels
        8.10.2 For the atmosphere

9 Available enthalpy
    9.1 Introduction
    9.2 Available enthalpy
    9.3 Constraint relationships
    9.4 Variational approach
    9.5 The lowest state
    9.6 Maximum available enthalpy
    9.7 Approximate approach
        9.7.1 The lowest state
        9.7.2 Maximum available enthalpy
    9.8 Thermodynamic entropy variation
    9.9 Geopotential entropy variations
    9.10 Discontinuous examples
        9.10.1 Baroclinic example
        9.10.2 Barotropic example
        9.10.3 Thermodynamic and geopotential entropy variations
        9.10.4 Continuous solutions

10 Dry processes of energy conversion
  
10.1 Introduction
    10.2 Dependence on process
    10.3 Sudden warming and cooling
        10.3.1 Temperature variation
        10.3.2 Kinetic energy production
    10.4 Change of surface pressure
        10.4.1 Surface pressure and static stability
        10.4.2 Surface pressure change
        10.4.3 Change of the thickness
    10.5 Change of static stability
        10.5.1 Partition of available enthalpy
        10.5.2 Final mean static stability
    10.6 Thermo-static entropy level
        10.6.1 Change of barotropic entropy
        10.6.2 Change of thermo-static entropy

11 Available moist enthalpy
  
11.1 Introduction
    11.2 Available moist enthalpy
    11.3 Moist potential enthalpy
    11.4 Thermodynamic entropy production
    11.5 Dry reference state
    11.6 Moist reference state
        11.6.1 The isoperimetric problem
        11.6.2 Approximate approach
    11.7 Examples of lowest state
    11.8 Available moist enthalpy
        11.8.1 General and approximate relationships
        11.8.2 Examples of available moist enthalpy

12 Moist processes of energy conversion
   
12.1 Introduction
     12.2 Saturated reference state
        12.2.1 Saturated humidity profile
        12.2.2 Minimum precipitation
        12.2.3 Temperature profile
    12.3 Effect of baroclinity
    12.4 Effect of horizontal humidity gradient
    12.5 Surface pressure change
    12.6 Available enthalpy of reference state
    12.7 Threshold instability
    12.8 Equivalent baroclinic and barotropic entropies
    12.9 Equivalent thermo-static entropy level

13 Available enthalpy in the atmosphere
  
13.1 Introduction
    13.2 In the Northern Hemisphere
        13.2.1 Distributions in winter and summer
        13.2.2 Relation to extratropical cyclones
        13.2.3 Relation to blocking systems
    13.3 In the Southern Hemisphere
    13.4 Development of low system
    13.5 Baroclinic entropy
    13.6 Zonal mean distributions
    13.7 Least thermodynamic entropy production
    13.8 The highest static stabilities

14 Available moist enthalpy in the atmosphere
  
14.1 Introduction
    14.2 Distribution of moist energy sources
    14.3 Relation to storm tracks
    14.4 Tropical and extratropical troposphere
    14.5 Relation to thunderstorms
    14.6 Relation to precipitation
    14.7 Relation to tropical cyclones

15 A case of typhoon recurvature
  
15.1 Introduction
    15.2 Typhoon Orchid recurvature
    15.3 Subtropical cyclones
    15.4 Critical surface temperature
    15.5 Energy budget
    15.6 Self-feeding mechanism

16 A case of explosive cyclone
  
16.1 Introduction
    16.2 Energy steering mechanism
    16.3 Baroclinic entropy distribution
    16.4 Low-level moist jet
    16.5 Self-feeding mechanism

17 States of maximum thermodynamic entropy
  
17.1 Introduction
    17.2 Heat-death ideal gas
    17.3 Heat-death geophysical air mass
    17.4 Heat-death atmosphere
    17.5 Kinetic-death atmosphere
        17.5.1 Isentropic atmosphere
        17.5.2 Example
        17.5.3 Comparison with heat-death atmosphere
    17.6 Energy conservation constraint
    17.7 Kinetic equilibrium state
        17.7.1 General expressions
        17.7.2 In statically stable atmosphere
        17.7.3 In statically unstable atmosphere
    17.8 Geopotential entropy limitation

18 Energetics of linear disturbance development
  
18.1 Introduction
    18.2 Conversion of available enthalpy
        18.2.1 Method A
        18.2.2 Method B
    18.3 Growth of linear disturbances
        18.3.1 Energy constraint equation
        18.3.2 Time-dependent expression
        18.3.3 Alternative expression
        18.3.4 Numerical procedures
    18.4 Eady wave development
        18.4.1 Evaluation equations
        18.4.2 Examples
    18.5 Synoptic geostrophic wave development
    18.6 Development of blocking waves
    18.7 Wave development in stratosphere

19 Energetics of parcels
  
19.1 Introduction
    19.2 Linear atmosphere
        19.2.1 The thermal structure
        19.2.2 Slope of isentropic surface
        19.2.3 Slope of isobaric surface
    19.3 External forces on a parcel
        19.3.1 Adiabatic buoyancy oscillations
        19.3.2 Horizontal processes
    19.4 Slantwise static instability
    19.5 Slantwise lapse rate
    19.6 Slantwise adiabatic lapse rate
    19.7 Slantwise circulation instability
    19.8 Height of slantwise convection
    19.9 Adiabatic slantwise oscillations

20 Primary air engine
  
20.1 Introduction
    20.2 Primary air engine
        20.2.1 Assumed cycle
        20.2.2 General parcel energy equation
        20.2.3 Relation to external work
    20.3 Adiabatic primary air engine
        20.3.1 Bernoulli's equation
        20.3.2 Extended parcel theory
    20.4 Kinetic energy created on open paths
        20.4.1 On vertical paths
        20.4.2 On isentropic surfaces
        20.4.3 On upward sloping paths
        20.4.4 On downward sloping paths

21 Dry air engines
  
21.1 Introduction
    21.2 Joule air engine
        21.2.1 Joule cycle
        21.2.2 Condition of doing positive work
        21.2.3 Examples of kinetic energy generation
        21.2.4 Entropy productions
        21.2.5 Efficiency of Joule engine
    21.3 Energetics of baroclinic waves
        21.3.1 The baroclinic waves
        21.3.2 Kinetic energy generation
    21.4 Kinetic energy generation in a system
    21.5 Carnot air engine
    21.6 Equilibrium air engine
        21.6.1 Equilibrium cycle
        21.6.2 Examples
        21.6.3 Entropy productions and efficiency

22 Wet air engines
  
22.1 Introduction
    22.2 Primary wet engine
        22.2.1 Kinetic energy generation
        22.2.2 Examples
    22.3 Semi-wet Joule engine
        22.3.1 Kinetic energy generation
        22.3.2 Condition of producing kinetic energy
        22.3.3 Efficiency
        22.3.4 Thermodynamic entropy production
    22.4 Perfect storm and negative storm
        22.4.1 Perfect convection
        22.4.2 Negative storms
    22.5 Development of negative storm
        22.5.1 Coupling mechanism
        22.5.2 Cross sections of a tropospheric river
        22.5.3 Height of tropical tropopause
    22.6 Convection at low and high levels
        22.6.1 Low-level convection
        22.6.2 High-level convection
    22.7 Multiple semi-wet Joule engine
    22.8 Wet Joule engine
        22.8.1 Kinetic energy generation
        22.8.2 Efficiency
        22.8.3 Thermodynamic entropy production

23 Polytropic mixing processes
  
23.1 Introduction
    23.2 Lateral entrainment rate
    23.3 Heat capacity of mixing
    23.4 Polytropic potential temperature
    23.5 Effect of entrainment on dry engines
        23.5.1 On Joule air engine
        23.5.2 On baroclinic waves
        23.5.3 On equilibrium air engines
    23.6 Moist polytropic mixing processes
        23.6.1 Energy equation of moist air
        23.6.2 Polytropic equivalent potential temperature
        23.6.3 Clausius-Clapeyron equation
    23.7 Effect of entrainment on wet engines
        23.7.1 On primary wet air engine
        23.7.2 On semi-wet Joule engine
        23.7.3 On multiple semi-wet Joule engine
        23.7.4 On wet Joule air engine

24 Limitations on frontogenesis
  
24.1 Introduction
    24.2 The theoretical model
        24.2.1 The basic relationships
        24.2.2 Idealized frontal field
    24.3 Numerical Iteration
    24.4 Limitations by initial field
        24.4.1 Initial fields
        24.4.2 Dependence on initial temperature field
        24.4.3 Kinetic energy variation
    24.5 Baroclinic entropy
    24.6 Available enthalpy
    24.7 Limitations by other factors
        24.7.1 Scale of atmosphere
        24.7.2 Baroclinity of background field
        24.7.3 Latitudinal position of front
    24.8 Geopotential entropy variation

25 Grid-scale prediction equations and uncertainties
  
25.1 Introduction
        25.2 Scale-dependent data
    25.3 Subgrid-scale fields
    25.4 Diffusive turbulences and negative diffusions
    25.5 Grid-scale prediction equations
    25.6 Scale-dependent prediction models
    25.7 Errors from finite difference schemes
        25.7.1 Truncation error
        25.7.2 Examples
    25.8 Turbulent diffusion and predictability
    25.9 Thermodynamic entropy produced by diffusions
    25.10 Uncertainties in physics

26 Examinations of model results
  
26.1 Introduction
    26.2 Scientific tests
    26.3 Result-dependent models
    26.4 Thermodynamic entropy balance
    26.5 Partition of thermodynamic entropy change
    26.6 Examination of parameters
    26.7 Features of thermodynamic entropy variation
        26.7.1 The entropy change in a system
        26.7.2 Change by dry air exchange
        26.7.3 Change by moisture exchange

Appendices

A Thermopotential energy of gases
  
A.1 Thermopotential energy
    A.2 Assumed hard-sphere potential
    A.3 Example of reverse sixth-power potential
    A.4 Comparisons with experiments

B Thermodynamics of gas expansions
  
B.1 Energy conversions
    B.2 Joule-Thomson effect
        B.2.1 The new algorithm
        B.2.2 Comparisons with experiments
    B.3 Joule-Thomson coefficient
        B.3.1 The new algorithm
        B.3.2 Examples
    B.4 Temperature inversion curves
    B.5 Free expansion

C Derivation of momentum equation

D References

E Index

F List of symbols