Entropy increase as a measure of energy degradation in heat transfer

Heat transfer is an irreversible process. This article defines the entropy increment as a measure of energy degradation in heat transfer realized in typical surface heat exchangers. As an example of the proposed entropy increase method, presented below are the calculations for heat exchangers working in a typical Clausius-Rankine cycle. The entropy increase in such exchangers inevitably leads to increased fuel consumption and, as a further consequence, to increased carbon dioxide emission.