Abstract: A new thermodynamic theory of stability has been
developed namely comprehensive thermodynamic theory of stability of irreversible
processes (CTTSIP). It identifies a new thermodynamic Lyapunov function, which
is the magnitude of excess entropy production rate function on the perturbed
trajectory and hence is a sign definite function. It is based on the
Clausius-Duhem inequality guaranteed by the second law of thermodynamics for all
nonequilibrium situations, that is, the entropy source strength is a second law
of thermodynamics given positive definite quantity. Following the fabric of
Lyapunov’s direct method the thermodynamic criteria for stability, asymptotic
stability and the stability under the constantly acting disturbances for
nonequilibrium states have been prescribed. Accordingly, two theorems of
thermodynamic stability of irreversible processes have been formulated.
Keywords and phrases: dynamic stability, irreversible thermodynamics, Lyapunov’s direct method, thermodynamic stability, irreversible processes.
