Thermodynamical Material Networks for Modeling, Planning, and Control of Circular Material Flows

Waste production, carbon dioxide atmospheric accumulation, and dependence on finite natural resources are expressions of the unsustainability current industrial networks that supply fuels, energy, manufacturing products. In particular, circular chains control urgently needed. To model design these and, in general, any material networks, we propose to generalize approach used for traditional such as water thermal power systems by using compartmental dynamical thermodynamics graph theory. The key idea is thermodynamic compartments their connections can be added, removed or modified needed achieve a flow. methodology explained its application illustrated through examples. addition, provide physics-based definition circularity implementing nonlinear control, strengthen connection between "Industry 4.0" "Sustainability". paper source code publicly available.