LESSON 6

WORKING FLUIDS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our sixth lesson on working fluids. From the first lesson you were introduced to the
concept of thermodynamic process. Understanding the quantities measured by the volumetric
flow rate and mass flow rate is crucial to understanding other fluid flow topics. The continuity
equation expresses the relationship between mass flow rates at different points in a fluid system
under steady-state flow conditions. .
6.2 Lesson Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able
6.2.1 Introduce working fluids and properties
6.2.2 Illustrate the types of working fluids
6.2.3 analyze the criteria of selection of working fluids

6.2.1 Working fluids and properties

It is gaseous or liquid substance by means of which an energy conversion is accomplished to
obtain mechanical work (in engines), cold (in refrigerating machines), or heat (in heat pumps).
The most common working fluids are steam, used in steam turbines and steam engines; the
combustion products of organic fuels, used in internal combustion engines and gas turbines;
water and other liquids, used in hydraulic engines; air, used in pneumatic engines; and
refrigerants, used in refrigerating machines. The working fluid's properties are essential for the
full description of thermodynamic systems. Although working fluids have many physical
properties which can be defined, the thermodynamic properties which are often required in
engineering design and analysis are few. Pressure, temperature, enthalpy, entropy, specific
volume, and internal energy are the most common. If at least two thermodynamic properties are
kno wn, the state of the working fluid can be defined. This is usually done on a property diagram
which is simply a plot of one property versus another.

Numbering, pacing and sequencing 6.2.1

Title working fluids and properties

Purpose To Introduce working fluids and properties

Brief summary of overall task Watch this video on working fluid Wikipedia audio
article and summarize the properties and state of a
working fluid
 Spark

Explain the property diagram of a thermodynamic

process of a working fluid
Individual task After watching the video summarize the applications
and examples of working fluid
Give the answer to the question on the spark
Post your answers on the discussion forum 6.2.1
provided
Interaction begins ● Read what your colleagues have posted in the
discussion forum 6.2.1
● Keeping netiquette in mind, comment on what three
of your colleagues have posted.
● Read the facilitator’s comments too to get feedback
Add any new point you have learnt to your
notes/portfolio
E-moderator interventions

Schedule and time This task should take 30 minutes

Next Types of working fluids

6.2.2 Types of working fluids

A working fluid can be classified as dry, isentropic, or wet fluid depending on the slope of the
saturation vapor curve on a T-s diagram. Vapor saturation curve of wet fluid (e.g., water) has a
negative slope, resulting in a two-phase mixture upon isentropic expansion. A dry fluid (e.g., n-
pentane) has a positive slope, while an isentropic (e.g., R245fa) has an infinitely large slope, the
fact that the vapor saturation line on a T-s diagram is vertical for these fluids. Water is a suitable
working fluid for the larger scale fossil fuel-fired Rankine cycle plants. Water is appropriate for
those high temperature applications, but it has its limitations that become more significant during
lower temperature operations. Organic fluids are generally extracted from petroleum. The main
difference between organic fluids and water is the lower evaporation energy of the former, and
therefore less heat is needed to evaporate the organic fluid. The thermodynamic and chemical
characteristics of these fluids no longer require superheating. For most of organic fluids, an
isentropic expansion from saturated vapor results in superheated vapor through a turbine at low
and moderate temperatures, rather than a two-phase mixture as with water, hence avoiding
complications to the turbine and cycle design. These characteristic curves are shown in Figure 3
for the three types of fluids. The degree to which organic fluids are dry is generally related to
their molecular weight or molecular complexity. For organic fluids, the larger the molecular
weight, the greater is the slope of the T-s curve

Numbering, pacing and sequencing 6.2.2

Title Types working fluids

Purpose To Introduce working fluids and properties

Brief summary of overall task Watch this video on working fluids in thermodynamics
and summarize the types.

Spark

Explain the the concept of working fluid

Individual task After watching the video summarize the types and
applications working fluid
Give the answer to the question on the spark
Post your answers on the discussion forum 6.2.2
provided
 Interaction begins ● Read what your colleagues have posted in the
discussion forum 6.2.2
● Keeping netiquette in mind, comment on what three
of your colleagues have posted.
● Read the facilitator’s comments too to get feedback
Add any new point you have learnt to your
notes/portfolio
E-moderator interventions

Schedule and time This task should take 30 minutes

Next Criteria of selection of working fluids

6.2.3 Criteria of selection of working fluids

The choice of working fluids is known to have a significant impact on the thermodynamic as
well as economic performance of the cycle. A suitable fluid must exhibit favorable physical,
chemical, environmental, safety and economic properties such as low specific volume (high
density), viscosity, toxicity, flammability, ozone depletion potential (ODP), global warming
potential (GWP) and cost, as well as favorable process characteristics such as high thermal and
exergetic efficiency. These requirements apply both to pure (single-component) and mixed
(multicomponent) working fluids.

Numbering, pacing and sequencing 6.2.3

Title Criteria of selection of working fluids
Purpose To analyze the criteria of selection of working fluids

Brief summary of overall task Watch this video on choosing of working fluid and
summarize the criteria used to choose the working fluid
 Spark

Explain the effect of temperature and specific

entropy on the criteria of working fluid.
Individual task After watching the video
explain into detail the criteria used to choose working
fluid.
Explain other fluids are appropriate for special
applications
Give the answer to the question on the spark
Post your answers on the discussion forum 6.2.3
provided
Interaction begins ● Read what your colleagues have posted in the
discussion forum 6.2.3
● Keeping netiquette in mind, comment on what three
of your colleagues have posted.
● Read the facilitator’s comments too to get feedback
Add any new point you have learnt to your
notes/portfolio
E-moderator interventions

Schedule and time This task should take 1 hour

Next Thermodynamic Properties of Pure Substance

6.3 Assessment Questions

1. What is the specific heat of the ideal working fluid used in vapour power cycle?
a) should be constant
b) should be large
c) should be small
d) none of the mentioned
2. What is the importance of the freezing point of the working fluid in the vapour power cycle?
a) freezing point of working fluid should be below the room temperature
b) freezing point of working fluid should be above the room temperature
c) freezing point of working fluid should be equal to the room temperature
d) does not have any importance

3. High moisture content is involved during expansion of steam because ___________

a) to ensure uniform heating
b) to ensure uniform cooling
c) to obtain a higher temperature of heat addition
d) to obtain a lower temperature of heat addition

6.4 E-references
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_fluid
Audiopedia (2019) Choosing a Working Fluid. Retrieved august 11, 2020 from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5hFmzVDMqQ

Audiopedia (2020) Working Fluids in Thermodynamics. Retrieved august 11, 2020 from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7zClnlyzcM

Audiopedia (2019) Working fluid | Wikipedia audio article. Retrieved august 11, 2020 from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGNluM2lZ78