College of Engineering and Computer Science

Mechanical Engineering Department

Mechanical Engineering 370
Thermodynamics
Fall 2010 Course Number: 14319
Instructor: Larry Caretto
Unit Five Homework Solutions, September 30, 2010
1. Steam flows steadily through an adiabatic turbine. The inlet conditions of
the steam are 10 MPa, 450
o
C, and 80 m/s. The exit conditions are 10 kPa,
92% quality, and 50 m/s. The mass flow rate of the steam is 12 kg/s.
Determine (a) the change in kinetic energy, (b) the power output, and (c)
the turbine inlet area.
Here we have a steady problem with one inlet and one outlet. We are also told that the turbine is
adiabatic so that the heat transfer is zero. The general first law and mass balance equations are
shown below.

,
_

+ + +

,
_

+ +
inlet
i
i
i i
outlet
o
o
o o u
system
gz
V
h m gz
V
h m W Q
dt
dE
2 2
2 2

outlet
o
inlet
i
system
m m
dt
dm

For the steady problem we know that 0
dt
dm
dt
dE
system system
. We are given no elevation data to
compute the potential energy changes, but these are usually small so we will make the
assumption that they are negligible. Since we have only one inlet and one outlet we have only
one unique mass flow rate: m m m
out in
. Finally, the stipulation that the turbine is adiabatic
means that Q

= 0. With these assumptions, the first law energy balance can be written as
follows:
1
]
1

,
_

,
_

+
2 2
2 2
out
out
in
in u
V
h
V
h m W

The first question asks us to find the change in kinetic energy. If we interpret this as the change
in kinetic energy per unit mass, we can find this change as shown below.
2
2
2 2
2 2
1000
1 50 80
2
1
2 2 m kg
s kJ
s
m
s
m V V
KE
out in

1
1
]
1

,
_

,
_

= 1.95 kJ/kg
We find the power output from the first law equation. Here we need the inlet and outlet enthalpy
values which are found from the property tables for water.
hin = h(10 MPa, 450
o
C) = 3242.4 kJ/kg from the superheat tables
hout = hf(10 kPa) + xout hfg(10 kPa) = 191.81 kJ/kg + (0.92)(2392.1 kJ/kg) =2393.5 kJ/kg (data from
the saturation table with pressure as the look-up variable).
Jacaranda (Engineering) 3519 Mail Code Phone: 818.677.6448
E-mail: lcaretto@csun.edu 8348 Fax: 818.677.7062
We then find the power output as follows
kJ
s MW
kg
kJ
kg
kJ
kg
kJ
s
kg V V
h h m W
out in
out in u
1000
1 95 . 1 5 . 2393 4 . 3242 12
2 2
2 2

,
_

,
_

=
10.2 MW
The relationship between mass flow rate and cross sectional area of the flow channel is given by
the following relationship.
v
A V
m

. To apply this equation to the turbine inlet, we have to find the
specific volume at that point. From the superheat tables, we find that vin = v(10 MPa, 450
o
C) =
0.029782 m
3
/kg. Thus, the area of the turbine inlet is found as follows.
m
s
s
kg
kg
m
V
m v
A
80
12 029782 . 0
3

= 0.00447 m
2
.
2. Argon gas enters an adiabatic turbine steadily at 900 kPa and 450
o
C with a
velocity of 80 m/s and leaves at 150 kPa with a velocity of 150 m/s. The
inlet area of the turbine is is 60 cm
2
. If the power output of the turbine is
250 kW, determine the exit temperature of the argon.
The application of the first law and the mass-balance equation to this problem proceeds in exactly
the same way as in the previous problem. The resulting equation for the work will therefore be
the same.
1
]
1

,
_

,
_

+
2 2
2 2
out
out
in
in u
V
h
V
h m W

This problem is different from the previous one in that we will use ideal gas properties for argon.
In addition, we are not given the mass flow rate; however we can find it from the data given on
the inlet velocity and area. We have to find the specific volume, using the ideal gas equation at
the inlet, to apply this formula. Using v = RT/P for the specific volume, with R = 0.2081 kJ/kgK
for argon gives the mass flow rate as follows.
( )
s
kg
m kPa
kJ
K kJ
K kg
kPa
cm
m
cm
s
m
RT
AP V
v
A V
m 874 . 2
1
15 . 723
1
2081 . 0
) 900 (
10
60
80
3
2
2
2

,
_

For noble gases like argon, the heat capacity is constant over a wide temperature range. (See
figure 4-24 on page 177.) Thus we can use the equation that hout hin = cp(Tout Tin). We can find
the value of cp for argon in Table A-1 to be 0.5203 kJ/kgK.
We can combine this ideal gas relationship for the enthalpy change with the first law equation to
get the following result.
( )
p
out in u
in out
out in
out in p u
c
V V
m
W
T T
V V
T T c m W

,
_

1
]
1

,
_

+
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2

We can solve the final equation for Tout. Note that we could solve for the temperature in either
kelvins or degrees Celsius.
Jacaranda (Engineering) 3519 Mail Code Phone: 818.677.6448
E-mail: lcaretto@csun.edu 8348 Fax: 818.677.7062
K kg
kJ
m kg
s kJ
s
m
s
m
s kW
kJ
s
kg
kW
K
c
V V
m
W
T T
p
out in u
in out

1
1
]
1

,
_

,
_

,
_

5203 . 0
1000
150 80
2
1 1
874 . 2
250
15 . 723
2 2
2
2
2 2
2 2

Tout = 540 K
3. Refrigerant-134a enters an adiabatic compressor as saturated vapor at
-24
o
C and leaves at 0.8 MPa and 60
o
C. The mass flow rate of the refrigerant
is 1.2 kg/s. Determine (a) the power input to the compressor and (b) the
volume flow rate of the refrigerant at the compressor inlet.
The application of the first law and the mass-balance equation to this problem proceeds in almost
exactly the same way as in the first problem. The only difference is that we are given no data on
the inlet and outlet velocities with which to compute the kinetic energy terms. Based on our
experience, we expect that these terms will make only a small contribution to the overall energy
balance so we will assume that they are zero. With this assumption, plus all the assumptions that
were used in problem 1, the equation for the work can be written as follows.
( )
out in u
h h m W

We can find the inlet and outlet enthalpies from the property data given, using R-134a tables.
hin = hg(-24
o
C) = 235.92 kJ/kg, from the saturation tables with temperature as the look-up variable
hout =h(0.8 MPa, 60
o
C) = 296.81 kJ/kg from the superheat tables.
We can now find the power input to the compressor.
( )
kJ
s kW
kg
kJ
kg
kJ
s
kg
h h m W
out in u
1
81 . 296 92 . 235 2 . 1

,
_

= 73.07 kW
The negative value for indicates that this is a power input to the compressor.
The volume flow rate is the product of the mass flow rate (kg/s) and the specific volume (m
3
/kg).
The specific volume at the inlet is found from the saturation tables; vin = vg(-24
o
C) = 0.17395 m
3
/kg.
We can then find the volume flow rate at the inlet by multiplying this by the mass flow rate of
1.2 kg/s.
s
m
kg
m
s
kg
v m V
3 3
2087 . 0 117395 . 0 2 . 1

Jacaranda (Engineering) 3519 Mail Code Phone: 818.677.6448

E-mail: lcaretto@csun.edu 8348 Fax: 818.677.7062
4. Refrigerant-134a is throttled from the saturated liquid state at 700 kPa to a
pressure of 160 kPa. Determine the temperature drop during this process
and the final specific volume of the refrigerant.
After this introduction to steady processes, you can simply approach this problem by starting with
the statement that the enthalpy is constant in a throttling process. To see how we reach this
conclusion, we start with our usual equations for the first law and the mass balance.

,
_

+ + +

,
_

+ +
inlet
i
i
i i
outlet
o
o
o o u
system
gz
V
h m gz
V
h m W Q
dt
dE
2 2
2 2

outlet
o
inlet
i
system
m m
dt
dm

Here our system is a valve. We assume that this is a steady flow, so 0
dt
dm
dt
dE
system system
.
We are given no elevation data to compute the potential energy changes or velocity data to
compute kinetic energy changes, but these are usually small so we will make the assumption that
they are negligible. Since we have only one inlet and one outlet, we have only one unique mass
flow rate: m m m
out in
. The valve has no work output device such as a shaft that rotates or
electrical leads producing power, so we say that the useful work is zero. Finally, we assume that
the definition of a throttling process is one in which the valve is well-insulated so that the heat
transfer is zero. With these assumptions, the first law energy balance can be written as follows:
( ) ( )
out in out in out in u
h h or h h m that so h h m Q W + +

0 0
We can find the inlet enthalpy from the R-134a tables: hin = hf(700 kPa) = 88.82 kJ/kg from the
saturation tables with temperature as the look-up variable. Since hout = hin and we are given Pout =
160 kPa, we know that the final state is one where P = 160 kPa and h = 88.82 kJ/kg.
From the saturation tables at the outlet pressure of 160 kPa (0.16 MPa), we find that hf(160 kPa)
= 31.21 kJ/kg and hg(160 kPa) = 241.11 kJ/kg. Since hout = 88.82 kJ/kg < hg(160 kPa) = 241.11
kJ/kg and > hf(160 kPa) = 31.21 kJ/kg, the outlet enthalpy of 88.82 kJ/kg is in the mixed region at
this pressure.
Since the inlet is a saturated liquid, we know that Tin = Tsat(Pin = 700 kPa) = 26.69
o
C. Similarly,
since the outlet is in the mixed region, we know that Tout = Tsat(Pout = 160 kPa) = -15.60
o
C. We
can then find the temperature drop.
( ) C C C T T
o o o
out in
29 . 42 60 . 15 . 69 . 26
We can find the final specific volume from the final quality, where we use the final enthalpy to find
the quality. To compute the specific volume, we need the specific volumes of the saturated liquid
and saturated vapor at the final pressure of 160 kPa. From the saturation tables we find vf =
0.0007437 m
3
/kg and vg = 0.12348 kJ/kg. Thus the final specific volume can be found as follows.
Jacaranda (Engineering) 3519 Mail Code Phone: 818.677.6448
E-mail: lcaretto@csun.edu 8348 Fax: 818.677.7062
( ) ( )

,
_

+ +
kg
m
kg
m
kg
kJ
kg
kJ
kg
kJ
kg
kJ
kg
m
v v
h h
h h
v v v x v v
f g
f g
f
f f g f
3 3
3
0007437 . 0 12348 . 0
21 . 31 11 . 241
21 . 31 82 . 88
0007437 . 0
v = 0.0344 m
3
/kg
5. Refrigerant-134a at 1 MPa and 90
o
C is to be cooled to 1 MPa and 30
o
C in a
condenser by air. The air enters at 100 kPa and 27
o
C with a volume flow
rate of 600 m
3
/min and leaves at 95 kPa and 60
o
C. Determine the mass flow
rate of the refrigerant.
One approach that we will not take here is to
define two systems: the flowing air and the
flowing refrigerant. In this approach we would
compute the heat transfer from the air and set
that equal to the heat transfer to the
refrigerant. We will not take this approach.
Instead we will define one system as shown in
the diagram.
In this one system, we have two inlet flows and
two outlet flows. However, the air and R-134a
flows do not mix. Thus we conclude, for a
steady system, in which
dt
dm
system
= 0, that we
have only two unique mass flow rates:
air out air in air
m m m
, ,
, and
R out R in R
m m m
, ,
. (In this problem we will
use the subscript, R to indicate R-134a.
We can apply this result to our analysis of the
first law equation.

,
_

+ + +

,
_

+ +
inlet
i
i
i i
outlet
o
o
o o u
system
gz
V
h m gz
V
h m W Q
dt
dE
2 2
2 2

For this steady flow, 0
dt
dE
system
. We are given no elevation data to compute the potential
energy changes or velocity data to compute kinetic energy changes, but these are usually small
so we will make the assumption that they are negligible. The cooler has no work output device
such as a shaft that rotates or electrical leads producing power, so we say that the work is zero.
Finally, we assume that the cooler is designed so that the heat transfer from the cooler, defined
as a single system, is negligible, compared to the internal heat transfer between the air and the
refrigerant. So we will take the heat transfer to be zero. With these assumptions, the first law
energy balance can be written as follows:
Jacaranda (Engineering) 3519 Mail Code Phone: 818.677.6448
E-mail: lcaretto@csun.edu 8348 Fax: 818.677.7062
---system
boundary
R-134a
in
R-134a
out
Air in
Air out
in R in R in air in air out R out R out air out air
h m h m h m h m
, , , , , , , ,
0 + +
Using the results that
air out air in air
m m m
, ,
, and
R out R in R
m m m
, ,
from our analysis of the
mass balance equation (and noting that the streams do not mix) our first law energy balance
becomes.
( ) ( )
out R in R R in air out air air
h h m h h m
, , , ,

We can find the enthalpies of R-134a from the property tables: hR,in = hR(1 MPa, 90
o
C) = 324.64
kJ/kg from superheat tables on page 930. The value of hR,out = h(1 MPa, 30
o
C) is the enthalpy of
a compressed liquid. We can see this since the temperature of a saturated liquid at 1 MPa is
39.37
o
C, which is higher than the outlet temperature. We can approximate the outlet refrigerant
enthalpy as the enthalpy of a saturated liquid at the given temperature of 30
0
C: hR,out = h(1 MPa,
30
o
C) hf(30
o
C) = 93.58 kJ/kg from Table A-11 on page 927.
We will assume that air behaves as an ideal gas at the temperatures and pressures of the air in
this problem. Since the temperature difference of the air is small and air is at low temperature,
we will use a constant heat capacity for air of 1.005 kJ/kgK, from Table A-2 on page 909. From
the same table we can find the gas constant for air: R = 0.2870 kJ/kgK.
We do not know the mass flow rate of the air, but we can compute it from the inlet volume flow
rate,
in
V

, and the inlet specific volume, vin = RTin/Pin.

min
5 . 696
1
15 . 300
100
287 . 0 min
600
3
3
,
, ,
,
, kg
m kPa
kJ
K
kPa
kJ
K kg m
RT
P V
v
V
m
in air
in air in air
in air
in air
air

We can how substitute h = cpT for air into our first law and solve for the refrigerant flow rate.
( ) ( ) ( )
out R in R R in air out air air p air in air out air air
h h m T T c m h h m
, , , , , , ,

In using this equation, we can compute the temperature difference in degrees Celsius or in
kelvins and get the same result.
( )
( )
( )
kg
kJ
kg
kJ
K
K kg
kJ kg
h h
T T c m
m
out R in R
in air out air air p air
R
38 . 95 64 . 324
27 60
005 . 1
min
5 . 696
, ,
, , ,

= 101.0 kg/min.
6. Air enters the evaporator section of a window air conditioner at 14.7 psia
and 90
o
F with a volume flow rate of 200 ft
3
/min. Refrigerant-134a at 20
psia with a quality of 30% enters the evaporator at a rate of 4 lbm/min and
leaves as a saturated vapor at the same pressure. Determine (a) the exit
temperature of the air and (b) the rate of heat transfer from the air.
This problem is similar to the previous one. For the first part of the problem we will analyze the
system as a combined system. We will make the same assumptions that we did in problem 5
steady state, air and refrigerant streams do not mix, negligible kinetic and potential energies, heat
and work both equal zero so that we will arrive at the same equation that we had for the
previous problem.
( ) ( )
out R in R R in air out air air
h h m h h m
, , , ,

Jacaranda (Engineering) 3519 Mail Code Phone: 818.677.6448
E-mail: lcaretto@csun.edu 8348 Fax: 818.677.7062
We can find the enthalpies of R-134a from the property tables: hR,out = hg(20 psia) = 102.73
Btu/lbm from the saturation table, A-12E. At the same pressure, the enthalpies of the saturated
liquid and vapor-liquid phase chanfe, hfg, are found from Table A-12E to compute the inlet
enthalpy from the given quality, xin = 0.3.
m m m
fg in f in
lb
Btu
lb
Btu
lb
Btu
psia h x psia h h
83 . 38 282 . 91
) 3 . 0 (
445 . 11
) 20 ( ) 20 ( + +
We will assume that air behaves as an ideal gas at the temperatures and pressures of the air in
this problem. Since the temperature difference of the air is small and air is at low temperature,
we will use a constant heat capacity of 0.240 Btu/lbmR, from Table A-2E. From the Table A-1E,
we can find the gas constant for air: R = 0.3704 psiaft
3
/lbmR.
We do not know the mass flow rate of the air, but we can compute it from the inlet volume flow
rate,
in
V

, and the inlet specific volume, vin = RTin/Pin. (Add 459.67 to the 90
o
F inlet temperature to
get the inlet temperature as 549.67 R.)
min
43 . 14
67 . 549
7 . 14
3704 . 0 min
200
3
3
,
, ,
,
,
m
m
in air
in air in air
in air
in air
air
lb
R
psia
ft psia
R lb ft
RT
P V
v
V
m

We can how substitute h = cpT for air into our first law and solve for the outlet air temperature.
( ) ( ) ( )
out R in R R in air out air air p air in air out air air
h h m T T c m h h m
, , , , , , ,

( )
R lb
Btu lb
lb
Btu
lb
Btu lb
F
c m
h h m
T T
m
m
m m
m
air p air
out R in R R
in air out air

,
_

+
24 . 0
min
43 . 14
73 . 102 83 . 38
min
4
90
0
,
, ,
, ,

=16.2
o
F.
To get the heat transfer from the air to the refrigerant, we have to analyze either the air only or
the refrigerant only as the system. Here we choose to analyze the refrigerant only. With the
assumptions discussed previously steady flow, negligible kinetic and potential energy changes,
no work plus the fact that for the refrigerant only we have one inlet and one outlet, the first law
reduces to the following expression.
( )

,
_

m m
m
in R out R R t refrigeran to air from
lb
Btu
lb
Btu lb
h h m Q Q
83 . 38 73 . 102
min
4
, ,

= 255.6 Btu/min.
Here the positive sign indicates that the direction of heat flow is from the air to the refrigerant.
Jacaranda (Engineering) 3519 Mail Code Phone: 818.677.6448
E-mail: lcaretto@csun.edu 8348 Fax: 818.677.7062