The constant entropy path for a chemical reaction

Abstract

The internal energy minimum as a criterion for equilibrium is here discussed in reference to a chemical reaction. That a non-isolated system at constant entropy and volume heads for a state of minimum internal energy is here shown via a thermodynamic analysis of the Para-Ortho isomerization reaction of hydrogen. The analysis brings forward the equations for the heat flow rate and temperature decreasing regime the reaction system has to comply with if a constant entropy path is to be accessed.