ME211 HW6 Solution

TA Jinhwan Jeon

** Solution without explanation will be deducted.

Prob 2. (7-70) 10pts

Air is expanded isentropically from 700kPa and 250℃ to 150kPa in a closed system. Determine its
final temperature.

Sol)

(1) We assume that air is an ideal gas with constant specific heats. (2pts)

(2) The specific heat ratio of air at an anticipated average temperature of 450K is 𝑘 = 1.391 (2pts)

(3) From the isentropic relation of an ideal gas under the constant specific heat assumption,
𝑘−1 0.391
𝑃 ( ) 150 1.391
= 𝟑𝟑𝟗𝐊 (4pts)
𝑘
𝑇2 = 𝑇1 ( 2) = (250 + 273) ( )
𝑃1 700

(4) The average air temperature is (523 + 339)/2 = 431K, which is sufficiently close to the assumed
average temperature of 450K. (2pts)

Remarks

* Assuming average temperature of 400K is also fine. (𝑘 = 1.395)

* Other than 450K or 400K for average temperature assumption, points will be deducted.

* For example, if you have assumed average temperature of 300K, you are likely to be deducted
from (2) and (4), even if you have somehow used appropriate value for 𝑘.

Prob 3. (7-74) 10pts

An insulated piston-cylinder device initially contains 300L of air at 120kPa and 17℃. Air is now
heated for 15 min by a 200-W resistance heater placed inside the cylinder. The pressure of air is
kept constant during this process. Determine the entropy change of air, assuming (a) constant
specific heats and (b) variable specific heats.
Sol)

We assume that air is an ideal gas for specified conditions. (1pt)

The mass of the air and the electrical work done during this process are

𝑃1 𝑉1
(Ideal Gas Equation) 𝑚 = = 0.4325kg (𝑅 = 0.287kJ/kg K, Table A-1) (1pt)
𝑅𝑇1

(Electrical work done) We,in = Ẇe,in Δ𝑡 = (0.2kJ/s)(15 × 60s) = 180kJ (1pt)

The energy balance for this stationary closed system can be expressed as

Since 𝛥𝑈 + 𝑊𝑏 = 𝛥𝐻 during a constant pressure quasi-equilibrium process. (1pt - No points will be

given if there is no explanation)

(a)

Using a constant 𝑐𝑝 value at the anticipated average temperature of 450K, the final temperature
becomes (1pt)

Then the entropy change becomes (2pts)

(b)

Assuming variable specific heats, (1pt)

From the air table (Table A-17), we read 𝑠2° = 2.5628 kJ/kg K corresponding to this ℎ2 value. Then,

(2pts)
Prob 4. (7-84) 10pts

Nitrogen at 120kPa and 30℃ is compressed to 600kPa in an adiabatic compressor. Calculate the
minimum work needed for this process in kJ/kg.

Assumptions

1. Steady flow process, since there is no change with time. 2. Adiabatic process. 3. Nitrogen is an
ideal gas with constant specific heats. (2pts)

Sol)

The properties of nitrogen at an anticipated average temperature of 400K are 𝑐𝑝 = 1.044kJ/kg K

and 𝑘 = 1.397

There is only one inlet and one exit, 𝑚̇1 = 𝑚̇2 = 𝑚̇ . We take the compressor as the system, which
is a control volume since mass crosses the boundary. The energy balance for this steady-flow system
can be expressed in the rate form as (2pts)

For the minimum work input to the compressor, the process must be reversible as well as
adiabatic (i.e., isentropic). (2pts)

This being the case, the exit temperature will be (2pts)

Substituting into the energy balance equation gives (2pts)

Prob 5. (7-100) 10pts

Consider a steam power plant that operates between the pressure limits of 5MPa and 10kPa. Steam
enters the pump as saturated liquid and leaves the turbine as saturated vapor. Determine the ratio
of the work delivered by the turbine to the work consumed by the pump. Assume that the entire
cycle to be reversible and the heat losses from the pump and the turbine to be negligible.

Assumptions

1. Liquid water is an incompressible substance. 2. Kinetic and potential energy changes are negligible.
3. The process is reversible. 4. The pump and turbine are adiabatic. (2pts)

Sol)

Both the compression and expansion process are reversible and adiabatic, and thus isentropic, 𝑠1 =
𝑠2 and 𝑠3 = 𝑠4 . Then the properties of the steam are

Also, 𝑉1 = 𝑉𝑓@10kPa = 0.00101𝑚3 /kg (2pts)

The work output to this isentropic turbine is determine from the steady-flow energy balance to be

Substituting,

(3pts)
The pump work input is determined from the steady-flow work relation to be

(2pts)

Thus,

(1pt)

Prob 5. (7-102) 10pts

Helium gas is compressed from 100kPa and 30℃ to 850kPa at a rate of 0.3m3 /s. Determine the
power input to the compressor, assuming the compression process to be (a) isentropic, (b) polytropic
with n = 1.2, (c) isothermal, and (d) ideal two-stage polytropic with n = 1.2.

Assumptions

1. Helium is an ideal gas with constant specific heats. 2. The process is reversible. 3. Kinetic and
potential energy changes are negligible (2pt)

Sol)

The gas constant of helium is 𝑅 = 2.0769kJ/kg K, and the specific heat ratio of helium is 𝑘 = 1.667

The mass flow rate of helium is (1pt)

(a) Isentropic compression with 𝑘 = 1.667: (1pt)

(b) Polytropic compression with n=1.2: (1pt)

(c) Isothermal compression: (1pt)

(d) Ideal two-stage compression with intercooling (n=1.2):

In this case, the pressure ratio across each stage is the same, and its value is determined from (1pt)

The compressor work across each stage is also the same, thus total compressor work is twice the
compression work for a single stage. (1pt)

(2pts)
Prob 7. (7-110) 10pts

Steam at 4MPa and 350℃ is expanded in an adiabatic turbine to 120kPa. What is the isentropic
efficiency of this turbine if the steam is exhausted as a saturated vapor?

Assumptions

1. Steady-flow process since there is no change with time. 2. Kinetic and potential energy changes
are negligible 3. Adiabatic process (2pts)

Sol)

There is only one inlet and one exit, and thus 𝑚̇1 = 𝑚̇2 = 𝑚̇ . We take the actual turbine as the
system, which is a control volume since mass crosses the boundary. The energy balance for this
steady-flow system can be expressed in the rate form as (2pts)

From the steam tables (Tables A-4 through A-6), (3pts)

From the definition of isentropic efficiency,

(3pts)