Comments for Energy inefficiency at http://www.adamsmith.org , comment 1 to 2 out of 2 comments http://www.adamsmith.org Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:43:12 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/environment/energy-inefficiency-200807021637/#comment-529 The Third Law of Thermodynamics allows one to calculate the theoretical maximum efficiency of any heat engine, be it coal fired steam, nuclear powered steam, internal combustion engines, external combustion engines, etc. Technology will only allow one to approach that theoretical maximum. Other laws of physics limit the maximum theoretical efficiency of any conversion of energy from one type to another, such as potential energy to kinetic energy. The laws of chemistry come into play whenever one attempts to convert potential electrochemical energy to useful work. The laws of chemistry come into play whenever one attempts to use available materials in the construction of any work extracting machine or when one attempts to create novel materials to overcome the limits that inhere to other materials one finds in nature (and do not let anyone tell you otherwise, what we do is as natural as those things done by every other life form on this rock, some of whose individual actions is less than ours but when integrated over their greater biomass far exceeds ours). I am going to make this my sig/tag line: "It never ceases to amaze me that people,especially leftist politicians, think that you can wave a magic wand and repeal the laws of physics, chemistry, and economics." - Charles D Quarles Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:46:00 +0100 http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/environment/energy-inefficiency-200807021637/#comment-523 Unfortunately the Third Law of Thermodynamics - which determines the efficiency of coal fired power stations that use steam - has not altered since the 1950s. Combined power, I agree, is a different matter. - Steve Giess Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:54:43 +0100