MME T151 Solutions to Tutorial 2 Page 1

Fluid flow thermodynamics and heat transfer

Thermodynamics, Tutorial Solutions 2
1. This is a straightforward but messy question: you need to evaluate p, V and T at each step so that you
have all the data required by the following step. Observe that you are told the value of the volume, not
the specific volume, for which most of the theory was
p derived. That’s O.K. since a volume ratio is the same as
3 2 a specific volume ratio. Clarify the task by drawing a p-
V chart and use subscript notation to identify the states.

Always work in Kelvin, so: T1 = 15oC = 288K

1 Also given: V2 = V1/4 = 0.03/4 = 7.5 x 10-3 m3

4 Process 1 -> 2 isentropic so use:

V p1v1 = p2v2  p 2 = p1 (v1 / v2)  = 1 x 41.4 = 6.96b

Also: T2/T1 = (V1/V2)-1  T2 = T1 (V1/V2)-1 = 288 x 40.4 = 501.4K

w1,2 = u2 - u1 = Cv(T2 - T1) = 0.718 x (501.4 - 288) = 153.2 kJ/kg

Process 2 -> 3 Given T3 = T1 = 15oC = 288K. Also constant pressure so p3 = p2 = 6.96b. Since
const. pressure, use pV = mRT to show V3/V2 = T3/T2  V3 = V2(T3/T2) = 7.5 x 10-3 (288/501.4) =
4.31 x 10-3m3
w2,3 = -R(T3 - T2) = -0.287 x (288 - 501.4) = 61.2 kJ/kg

Process 3 -> 4 isentropic so use: T2/T1 = (p2/p1) ( - 1)/  T2 = T1 (p2/p1) ( - 1)/ = 288 (1/6.96) (0.4/1.4)
= 165.4K = -107.6oC.
w3,4 = u4 - u3 = Cv(T4 - T3) = 0.718 x (165.4 - 288) = -88 kJ/kg

Net specific work done: wnet = w1,2 + w2,3 + w3,4 = 153.2 + 61.2 - 88 = 126.4 kJ/kg

Mass, m = pV/(RT) = 100 x 0.03 /(0.287 x 288) = 0.0363kg

Net work done, Wnet = mwnet = 0.0363 x 279.7 = 4.59kJ

2. For polytropic process, p1v1k = p2v2k . Combine with equation to state, pv = RT, to obtain T-p
relationship: T2/T1 = (p2/p1) (k - 1)/k  T2 = T1 (p2/p1) (k - 1)/k = (20 + 273) x (5/1) 0.3/1.3 = 424.8K

From notes for polytropic process: w = (p2v2 - p1v1)/(k –1) = R(T2 - T1)/(k –1)
= 0.287 x (424.8 – 293)/0.3 = 126kJ.kg

Also from notes: q = Cv(T2 – T1) – w = 0.718 x (424.8 – 293) – 126 = -31.4kJ/kg.

3. Treat balloon and gas bottles as a single system that has two parts. Subscripts a and b denote balloon
and bottles respectively. Draw diagrams showing conditions at start and end states.
MME T151 Solutions to Tutorial 2 Page 2

Part Part
(a) (b)
V1a = 0
State 1 V1b = V

p1b = 150b T1b = 25oC =

298K
State 2
V2a = 4
/3 r3 V2b = V

p2ab = p2b = patm = 1.01b

Work done during inflation. Let V be volume of inflated balloon, then using standard integral for work:
V V
4 3
 
W = - p dV = - p atm dV = - p atm V = - p atm
0 0
3
 r = - 4.23 x 10 5 kNm

Volume of helium bottles. Let the volume of the bottles be V and the volume of the inflated balloon be
V. Note that filling occurs at constant temperature, so T1b = T2a = T2b = Tatm.

The total mass in the bottles plus the balloon must remain constant, so:

m1a + m1b = m2a + m2b where m1a = 0 since the balloon is initially empty.

Applying the equation of state, pV = mRT  m = pV/(RT) and using given data given above:
p1b V p 2a V p 2b V
= +
R Tatm R Tatm R Tatm

We are also told that the pressure is constant throughout the system after filling and that the pressure
inside the balloon is atmospheric. Thus: p2a = p2b = patm. Inserting this, cancelling the RTatm terms
and rearranging the above gives:

p1b V = patm (V + V)  V = V patm / (p1b - patm)

so finally:

V = (4/3  103 x 101) / (15,000 – 101) = 28.4 m3

4. Constant volume process. Note that the total heat transfer is specified, not ‘per unit mass’. Theory for
this process is: Q = mq = m(u2 - u1) = mCv(T2 - T1). Thus need to find T1 before calculating
T2. Have two properties so can use equation of state, pV = mRT:

T1 = p1V1 / (m R) = 270 x 5 / (11.67 x 0.287) = 403K

Re-arrange the previous equation for heat transfer to obtain:

MME T151 Solutions to Tutorial 2 Page 3

T2 = T1 + Q/(mCv) = 403 + 7677 / (11.67 x 0.718) = 1319K = 1046oC

For a constant volume process, cancelling V, m and R terms in the equation of state gives:

p2/p1 = T2/T1  p2 = p1 (T2/T1) = 2.7 x (1319/403) = 8.84 bar

5. The purpose of the question is to get you to think about the sign convention and to use it accordingly.
Recall that, for an adiabatic process, Q = 0 so that W = ΔU.

Compression case: Treating the as the system ΔU = W = +20kJ since work is done on the system.

Now treating the atmosphere as the system (read the question carefully!) and recalling that W = -∫pdV:
W = -patm ΔV = -105 x 0.14 = -14.7kJ since the atmosphere’s volume increases by 0.14m3. Sign
agrees with intuition since atmosphere is doing work on piston/cylinder – i.e. giving up energy to it.

Since air inside piston/cylinder receives +20kJ, surroundings must loose –20kJ. Atmosphere has
contributed –14.7kJ, so –20 – (-14.7) = -5.3kJ of additional work must also be done externally.

Expansion case: As per above, but with signs reversed since energy flow is in reverse direction.

6. Observe that the units for work and heat transfer are kJ, not kJ/kg, so we will use full system equations
rather than the ‘per unit mass’ form.

State 1 Always work in Kelvin, so T1 = 125oC = 398K

Process 1 -> 2 Constant volume so W = 0 and Q = ΔU = mΔu = mCvΔT = mCv(T2 - T1).

Rearrange the equation for Q to obtain:

T2 = T1 + Q/(mCv) = 398 + 900 / (0.75 x 0.718) = 2069K = 1796oC

For const. volume processes, can use equation of state to show:

p2/p1 = T2/T1  p2 = p1 (T2/T1) = 3 x (2069/398) = 15.6b

Process 2 -> 3 Adiabatic so Q = 0 and W = ΔU = U3 - U2. In expansion processes, the system does
work on surroundings (pushing them back) so the work has negative sign, W = -915kJ. Thus:

U3 = U2 + W = U2 + (-915) so U3  U2 hence the answer ‘lower’.

Returning to process 1-> 2, Q = U2 - U1 so U2 = U1 + Q = U1 + 900 kJ. Substituting in the

previous equation:

U3 = U2 + (-915) = (U1 + 900) + (-915) = U1 - 15 kJ so U3  U1 hence the answer ‘lower’

7. Recall the definition of cycle efficiency and that the fact signs are not shown when using it – you will
have to insert the signs when performing calculations. Also recall that engines operating using a cycle for
which wnet = - qnet. Finally, recall that the previous equation can be used in calculations involving power
(i.e. rate of doing work) and heat transfer rates if it is multiplied by the mass flow rate.
MME T151 Solutions to Tutorial 2 Page 4

Heat rejected
Q2

Engine Wout

Q1
Heat supplied

 = Wout/Q1 so Heat supplied, Q1 = Wout/ = 500/0.2 = 2500kW

For a cycle: Qnet + Wnet = (Q1 + Q2) + Wout = 0

where Wout = -500kW under the standard sign convention in which work output from the system is
treated as negative.

So: Q2 = - Q1 - Wout = - 2500 - (-500) = -2000kW

8. Initial State, 1. Convert all quantities to into standard units. p1 = 10 atm = 10 x 1.013b = 1013 kPa.
p2 = 2 atm = 2 x 1.013b = 202.6kPa. Use equation of state to find initial temperature, T1:

T1 = p1V1/(mR) = 1013 x 0.42 / (5 x 0.287) = 296.4K

Isothermal Process T1 = T2 = 296.4K. Observe that we are given and asked for complete system
values, not ‘per unit mass’ values. By multiplying equations in notes by mass, m, can calculate W, Q
from V values. Also observe that for const T process, p2/p1 = V1/V2. Using equations from notes:

W = -Q = p1V1 ln(V1/V2) = p1V1 ln(p2/p1) = 1013 x 0.42 x ln(2/10) = -685kJ

Polytropic Process with index k = 1.3. p1V1k = p2V2k  V2 = V1 (p1/p2)1/k Substituting:

V2 = 0.42 x (10/2) 1/1.3 = 1.449m3

From notes: W = (p2V2 - p1V1)/(k – 1) = (202.6 x 1.449 - 1013 x 0.42)/(1.3 - 1) = -439.6kJ

T2/T1 = (p2/p1)(k – 1)/k  T2 = T1 (p2/p1)(k – 1)/k = 296.4 x (2/10) 0.3/1.3 = 204.4K

Q = mCv(T2 - T1) – W = 5 x 0.718 x (204.4 - 296.4) - (-439.6) = 109.32kJ

Isentropic Process with  = 1.4. From notes: Q = 0 and T2/T1 = (p2/p1)(- 1)/. Substituting:

T2 = T1 (p2/p1)(- 1)/ = 296.4 x (2/10) (1.4 –1)/1.4 = 187.1K

W = mCv(T2 - T1) = 5 x 0.718 x (187.1 - 296.4) = -392kJ

9. Observe that the question is specified in terms of ‘total system’ rather than ‘per unit mass’ values. Work
round the process using T-p relationships. Mass, m, will be needed for constant pressure process, so
calculate it now: m = pV/(RT) = 350 x 0.15 / (0.287 x 423) = 0.432kg.

The p-V chart for the three processes is:

MME T151 Solutions to Tutorial 2 Page 5

1 p1 = 3.5b = 3350kPa
p V1 = 0.15m
T1 = 150oC = 423K

Polytropic

Isentropic
Q2,3 = 26kJ 3
2 Constant pressure, p = p =
2 3
1.05b
V

Process 1 -> 2 Isentropic expansion so: Q1,2 = 0 and T2/T1 = (p2/p1) ( - 1)/. Re-arrange to get:
T2 = T1 (p2/p1) ( - 1)/ = 423 x (1.05/3.5)0.4/1.4 = 300K
W1,2 = U2 – U1 = m(u2 - u1) = mCv(T2 - T1) = 0.432 x 0.718 x (300 - 423) = -38.2kJ

Process 2 -> 3 Constant pressure heat addition (i.e. expansion) so: Q2,3 = mq = mCp(T3 - T2)
Re-arrange to get: T3 = T2 + Q/(mCp) = 300 + 26/(0.432 x 1.005) = 360K
W2,3 = -(p3V3 - p2V2) = -mR(T3 - T2) = -0.432 x 0.287 * (360 - 300) = -7.4kJ

Net values. Net heat transfer, Qnet = 0 + 26 = 26kJ, net work, Wnet = -38.2 + (-7.4) = -45.6kJ

Equivalent Polytropic Process For a process 1 -> 3 with index k: T3/T1 = (p3/p1) (k - 1)/k. Take logs to
find: (k – 1)/k = ln(T3/T1) / ln(p3/p1) = ln(360/423) / ln(1.05/3.5) = 0.134 so, k = 1.155

Greatest work? Without performing further calculation, it is clear that the polytropic process involves
more work that the (isentropic + constant pressure) process pair since the area under the p-V chart is
larger.