Background potential energy ($P_b$)

The background potential energy is the gravitational potential energy of the statically stable state obtained by adiabatically sorting a fluid's parcels. The difference $A=P-P_b$ is available potential energy. Pure rearrangement changes $A$ but not $P_b$; irreversible density mixing can increase $P_b$. Molecular exchange with internal energy must be separated when defining an irreversible mixing rate.