Nonequilibrium entropy and the second law of thermodynamics: A simple illustration

The objective of this paper is twofold: first, to examine how the concepts of extended irreversible thermodynamics are related to the notion of accompanying equilibrium state introduced by Kestin; second, to compare the behavior of both the classical local equilibrium entropy and that used in extended irreversible thermodynamics. Whereas the former does not show a monotonie increase, the latter exhibits a steady increase during the heat transfer process; therefore it is more suitable than the former one to cope with the approach to equilibrium in the presence of thermal waves. © 1993 Plenum Publishing Corporation.