Viability of Variable Generalised Chaplygin gas - a thermodynamical approach

The viability of the variable generalised Chaplygin gas (VGCG) model is analysed from the standpoint of its thermodynamical stability criteria with the help of an equation of state, $P = - \frac{B}{\rho^{\alpha}}$, where $B = B_{0}V^{-\frac{n}{3}}$. Here $B_{0}$ is assumed to be a positive universal constant, $n$ is a constant parameter and $V$ is the volume of the cosmic fluid. We get the interesting result that if the well-known stability conditions of a fluid is adhered to, the values of $n$ are constrained to be negative definite to make $\left(\frac{\partial P}{\partial V}\right)_{S} <0$ \& $\left(\frac{\partial P}{\partial V}\right)_{T} <0$ throughout the evolution. Moreover the positivity of thermal capacity at constant volume $c_{V}$ as also the validity of the third law of thermodynamics are ensured in this case. For the particular case $n = 0$ the effective equation of state reduces to $\Lambda$CDM model in the late stage of the universe while for $n <0$ it mimics a phantom-like cosmology which is in broad agreement with the present SNe Ia constraints like VGCG model. The thermal equation of state is discussed and the EoS parameter is found to be an explicit function of temperature only. Further for large volume the thermal equation of state parameter is identical with the caloric equation of state parameter when $T \rightarrow 0$. It may also be mentioned that like Santos et al our model does not admit of any critical points. We also observe that although the earlier model of Lu explains many of the current observational findings of different probes it fails to explain the crucial tests of thermodynamical stability.