Abstract
Discussions based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics confine the temperature gradient in a regenerator within some region. Experiments, however, show that forced fluid oscillations induce stable temperature distribu-tions in regenerators. This fact suggests that it is possible to discuss stable temperature distribution by employing the law of minimum entropy production rate in addition to the first and second laws. In order to discuss stable temperature distribution analytically, a short regenerator where the local entropy production rate is homogeneous is supposed. Minimizing the entropy production rate of the short regenerator gives a thermodynamically stable temperature gradient, which depends on both oscillation mode and amplitude. Necessary conditions for realizing a stable temperature gradient in a short regenerator are also discussed.
