Process Variables

and Ideal Gases

ChemE 101 Module 2 Part 1

UP Diliman - ChemE 101 1

Learning Outcomes
• Appreciate how manipulation of input variables can affect the resulting output
variables. Analyze the cause and effect relationships of process variables in unit
operations and processes
• Explain and differentiate intensive from extensive variables
• Solve for the unknown quantity of mass given the volume and density of a
substance
• Calculate the density of a given substance when provided with mass and
volume
• Recognize the amount of mass or volume flowing through a controlled system
at a given time. Obtain the flowrate provided the flow velocity in a pipe

UP Diliman - ChemE 101 2

The Mole
• Special Note: Mole Unit
• Amount of a substance
• Molecular weight = mass of a mole of substance
• Numerically equal if using units in the same system
• Thus, conversion factors for kg to lbm is the same as kmol to lbmol
The Mole
• The molecular weight for O2 is 32.
• 32 can mean:
g kg lbm
32 32 32
mol kmol lbmol
• We select the unit system convenient for our solution.
• How much moles is 100 lb of oxygen gas?
• Because the unit of mass is lb, we use the lbm/lbmol unit system.
1 lbmol O2
100 lb O2 ¥ = 3.125 lbmol O2
32 lb O2
Outline
● Intensive vs. Extensive variables
● Mass, volume, density, specific gravity
● Flow rate

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Process Variables

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Input and Output Variables
Consider drying a T-shirt that has just been
washed:
• Which takes longer to dry: one that has
been spin-dried or not?
• Would a windy day help in drying?
• Would a hot sunny day dry the shirts
faster?
• What other conditions could affect the
drying process?

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Intensive and Extensive Variables

Intensive Extensive
• Bulk property independent • Dependent on system size
of system size
• Temperature • Mass ..
• Density • Volume
• Composition

Consider this blueberry cheesecake, if a slice

were taken out, the intensive properties
would remain the same while the extensive
ones would change
https://vaya.in/recipes/details/blueberry-cheesecake-2/

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Mass, Volume and Density
• Mass and Volume
• Amount of substance present in the system
• Can be used to obtain density
• Density
• Solids and liquids are assumed to have a
constant density or a weak function of
temperature. Considered incompressible
• Gases and vapors: function of T and P
• Specific volume: volume/unit mass
• Specific gravity: ratio of the density of a
substance with respect to the density of a
reference substance

1g
• Solids and liquids: 𝜌𝑟𝑒𝑓 = 1 cm! (water at 4℃)
From Byjus • Gases and vapors: 𝜌𝑟𝑒𝑓 = 𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑆𝑇𝑃

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Mass, Volume and Density
• Example: The specific gravity of gasoline is approximately 0.70. Determine the
mass (kg) of 50.0L of gasoline.

0.70 g 1kg 1000 cm!

50 L× !
× × = 35 kg
cm 1000 g L

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Flowrate
§ Rate at which material is
transported through a process line
§ Mass flowrate
§ Volumetric flowrate
𝑚̇ = 𝜌𝑉̇ = 𝜌𝑣𝑆
where 𝑚̇ = mass flowrate
𝑉̇ = volumetric flowrate
𝜌 = density
𝑣 = velocity
𝑆 = cross-sectional area
§ Follows the continuity equation at
steady-state conditions
§ Mass in = mass out
Image from: smartmeasurement.com

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Flowrate
• Example: Calculate the mass flowrate and average velocity of water through a
2-inch pipe when its volumetric flowrate is 1 m3/hr.

kg
1 ,hr = 1000 kg,hr
!
𝑚̇ = 𝜌𝑉̇ = 1000 (m$ m

𝑉̇ = 𝑣𝑆
m $
1 (hr
𝑣= % = 123.4 m(hr
2.54 cm 1m
𝜋 2 in× 1 in × 100 cm

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Summary
• Process variables are
quantities that are observed
or estimated in unit
operations and processes
• Some variables are
dependent on the amount of
the bulk (extensive) while
some are independent
(intensive)
UP Diliman - ChemE 101
• Mass and volume can be
used to calculate density
• Specific gravity is used to
compare a given density to a
reference
• For liquids, water at 4 °C
• Flow rate is the amount in
mass or volume moving
through a controlled system
• Continuity equations apply
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