Concepts of ' isentropic ' and ' isenthalpic'

The first point is both of these concepts are idealized concepts. In a real-world they are just
benchmark of how much a real system is close to this idealized system.
Definition [isentropic]
I would define the word "isentropic" as a thermodynamic concept used to describe a process where
there is no change in entropy. In other words, it refers to a theoretical idealized process that occurs
without any heat transfer, while still being reversible and involving a change in pressure, volume,
and temperature. This term is often used in the context of adiabatic processes, where the
relationship between pressure and volume raised to a power (PV^n = constant) or the ratio of
specific heat capacities (Cp/Cv = y) for a gas remains constant.
Details
"Isentropic" refers to a thermodynamic process or change in a system where there is no entropy
change. It is an idealized process that assumes no energy losses due to friction, heat transfer, or
other irreversibilities. In an isentropic process, the entropy remains constant.
On the other hand, "isenthalpic" refers to a process or change in a system where there is no change
in enthalpy. Enthalpy is a measure of the total heat energy of a system, including the potential,
kinetic, and internal energy. In an isenthalpic process, the total heat energy remains constant.
Both concepts are important in thermodynamics as they help in analyzing and understanding
various processes and changes in a system.
Isentropic
How a system becomes ‘isentropic’
The concept of 'isentropic' has two parts [1] no heat loss to surroundings and [2] no irreversibility
within a system. The obvious next question is what are the pre-requisite to achieve such ideal
situation.
Adiabatic process
An ideal adiabatic process assumes dQ =0, in other words, no heat in or out from the system. For
any system that prevents heat to go to the surroundings, the change in entropy dS = total S system
+ S surroundings is <0. The system is considered reversible. Here, a very important concept of
thermodynamics is as long as heat can be contained within a system, the system remains reversible.
You can retrieve the heat by reversing the system. While, if any heat leaks into the surroundings
that heat cannot be brought back. Such systems are called irreversible systems. To summarize, In a
true adiabatic system, where there is no heat transfer occurring, the entropy change is indeed zero.
Friction does not play a role in determining entropy change in an adiabatic process.
Therefore, in order to become ' isentropic' the first requirement is that the system must be true
adiabatic, dQ=0
Internal reversibility
A system becomes internally irreversible if there is a phase change or a change in specific heat of
the fluid for any reason. Additionally, if there are changes in the fluid at a molecular level or
molecular interactions within the fluid, it can lead to irreversibility. Contrary to these factors,
friction does not directly cause irreversibility as it typically causes a change in internal energy
without any loss. The heat generated by friction remains within the adiabatic system,
To summarize, In a true adiabatic system, where there is no heat transfer occurring, the entropy
change is indeed zero. Friction does not play a role in determining entropy change in an adiabatic
process.
Friction is not the cause of irreversibility
The idea that frictional heat is the sole cause of irreversibility in a true adiabatic process is a
misconception. In an adiabatic process, there is no heat exchange with the surroundings, so
frictional heat does not play a role in causing irreversibility within the system. Irreversibility in
adiabatic processes often arises due to other factors such as mentioned above non-ideal behavior
of materials, entropy generation, or energy dissipation [ heat leakage] within the system.
Therefore, I would conclude “I would define the word "isentropic" as a thermodynamic concept
used to describe a process where there is no change in entropy. In other words, it refers to a
theoretical idealized process that occurs without any heat transfer, while still being reversible and
involving a change in pressure, volume, and temperature. This term is often used in the context of
adiabatic processes, where the relationship between pressure and volume raised to a power (PV^n
= constant) or the ratio of specific heat capacities (Cp/Cv = y) for a gas remains constant.”
Commonality between isentropic and isenthalpic processes
The commonality between isentropic and isenthalpic processes is that both are adiabatic, meaning
they occur without any heat transfer into or out of the system.
Isentropic processes involve changes in entropy, where the entropy of the system remains constant.
Both ideal and real gases can be isentropic
In thermodynamics, ideal gases can undergo isentropic processes because they follow specific
relationships between temperature, pressure, and volume, such as the ideal gas law. However, it is
also possible for real gases to undergo isentropic processes as long as the change is reversible and
does not involve any heat transfer.
Isentropic behaviour of ideal gases
For an ideal gas undergoing an isentropic process, the change in entropy (ΔS) is zero.

In an isentropic process, there is no heat transfer (dQ = 0), and in an ideal gas, there is no work
done due to expansion or compression (dW = 0). Therefore, the change in internal energy (ΔU) is
also zero for an ideal gas in an isentropic process.

Using the relation dS = dQ/T, we can substitute the values of dQ and dW as mentioned above,
resulting in:
dS = (dU + dW)/T
= (0 + 0)/T
= 0/T
=0

Hence, the change in entropy (ΔS) for an ideal gas in an isentropic process is indeed zero.
Isenthalpic process occurs with real gases
On the other hand, isenthalpic processes involve changes in enthalpy, where the enthalpy of the
system remains constant. These processes are typically represented by adiabatic expansion or
compression of a fluid in which no heat is exchanged with the surroundings. An ideal gas that
undergoes a process with zero work done on or by the system cannot be considered isenthalpic.
In an isenthalpic process, the enthalpy of the system remains constant, which requires some
work to be done on or by the system. If no work is done, the enthalpy of the ideal gas remains
unchanged, and the process would be considered isochoric (constant volume) rather than
isenthalpic.
Isenthalpic process
Definition
‘Isenthalpic’ word means constant enthalpy. An isenthalpic process refers to a situation where the
enthalpy remains constant while the pressure and temperature may change. This typically occurs in
processes such as throttling or flow through a nozzle, where the enthalpy remains constant due to
the absence of heat transfer, but the pressure and temperature may vary.
How and when does an ‘isenthalpic ‘process occur?
In simple language, an isenthalpic process refers to a situation where there is no change in enthalpy
(the total heat content of a system) even though work is done on a gas through processes like
compression or expansion. This process is typically adiabatic, meaning there is no heat exchange
with the surroundings.

In an idealized isenthalpic system, the positive work done during compression is balanced out by
the negative work done during expansion, resulting in a constant enthalpy. This means that even
though work is being done on the gas, it does not cause a change in its overall heat content.

The concept of isenthalpic processes is particularly relevant when dealing with real gases that can
work against their molecular forces. In the case of a Joule-Thomson (JT) process, which is an
example of an isenthalpic process, there can be a point of inversion where the gas no longer
experiences cooling or heating.