Steady Flow Energy

Presentation by
Dr Peter Kay

Equation
Contents
• Describe different steady flow systems
• Understand how to derive flow work
• Describe the property Enthalpy
• Understand how to derive the Steady Flow Energy Equation
• Be able to use the SFEE to solve problems
Non-Flow vs Steady Flow
• A non flow system is one in which the fluid has a
continuous boundary and so no fluid can enter or
leave.
o E.g. an internal combustion engine with the valves
closed

𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡
• A steady flow system is one in which the fluid enters
and leaves at steady rates. In particular energy and
mass are conserved for the system
o E.g. a turbine 𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑐 𝑜𝑢𝑡
Types of Steady Flow
Systems
Steady Flow System
Diffuser
• Used to create high pressure low velocity fluid ()
• Can normally neglect heat transfer ()
• No work done 𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑐 𝑜𝑢𝑡
• Assumed to be adiabatic

Nozzle
• Used to create high velocity fluid ()
• Can normally neglect heat transfer ()
• No work done
• Assumed to be adiabatic
𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑐 𝑜𝑢𝑡
Steady Flow System

𝑞𝑛𝑒𝑡
Cooler/Condenser
• Heat transfer out of system ()
• No work done
𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑐 𝑜𝑢𝑡

Heater/Boiler
• Heat transfer into system ()
• No work done
𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑐 𝑜𝑢𝑡

𝑞𝑛𝑒𝑡
Steady Flow System

𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡
Turbines
• Produce useful work ()
• Can normally neglect heat transfer ()
• Assumed to be adiabatic
𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑐 𝑜𝑢𝑡
Compressors
• Work is required to drive the compressor ()
• Can normally neglect heat transfer ()
• Assumed to be adiabatic
𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑐 𝑜𝑢𝑡

𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡
Steady Flow Energy
Equation
Flow Work
• Force being applied to fluid in plane XX

• Volume of element. Therefore:

X Y Constant cross sectional area = A

C p

Length, L
X Y
Energy in a Fluid
The energy in a fluid is the sum of:
• Kinetic Energy
• Gravitational Potential Energy
• Flow work
• Internal Energy
Energy in a Fluid
• No energy added or extracted from fluid
o Principle of Conservation of Energy applies

Energy at 1 = Energy at 2

𝑐2
1
𝑐1 z2
z1
Energy in a Fluid
• Conservation of energy:
Energy at 1 = Energy at 2
= Kinetic Energy =
+
= Potential Energy =
+
= Flow Work Energy =
+
= Internal Energy = 2

𝑐2
1
𝑐1 z2
z1
Energy in a Fluid
Therefore:

A new term is introduced here – Enthalpy.

• Enthalpy is the sum of the internal energy and flow work
• Given the symbol
• Has the units Joules

Or, per unit mass

Therefore:
Energy in a Fluid
• Now consider heat transfer and work done.
• Taking conservation of energy

• Rearranging gives:

𝑐2

W
Q

1
𝑐1 z2
z1
SFEE
• This is the Steady flow energy equation:

• Or, per unit mass

NOTE: when applying the SFEE to steam cycles. The Gas Laws must not
be used as they don’t apply to steam.
Derivation Enthalpy
Derivation Enthalpy
Showed that:

Also from 1st Law of thermodynamics:

Work done is:

Substituting into first law:

Collecting terms:

For a constant pressure heat addition:

Therefore:
 Steady Flow Energy
Presentation by
Dr Peter Kay

Equation