A combination of the first and second law of thermodynamics has been utiliz
ed in analyzing the convective heat transfer in an annular packed bed. The
bed was heated asymmetrically by constant heat fluxes. Introduction of the
packing enhances wall to fluid heat transfer considerably, hence reduces th
e entropy generation due to heat transfer across a finite temperature diffe
rence. However, the entropy generation due to fluid-flow friction increases
. The net entropy generations resulting from the above effects provide a ne
w criterion in analysing the system. Using the modified Ergun equation for
pressure drop estimation and a heat transfer coefficient correlation for an
annular packed bed, an expression for the volumetric entropy generation ra
te has been derived and displayed graphically. In the packed annulus, the f
ully developed temperature profile and the plug flow conditions have been a
ssumed and verified with experimental data. The volumetric entropy generati
on map shows the regions with excessive entropy generation due to operating
conditions or design parameters for a required task, and leads to a better
understanding of the behavior of the system. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc
. All rights reserved.