Chapter 4 – Ideal Gas Processes

Reference Book:

1) “Thermodynamics” – V.M. Faires

2) “Thermodynamics 1” – Hipolito Sta. Maria

Formulas

I. Non-flow System Process

Q = ΔU + Wnf

Where:
2
U  m  c v dT
1

2
Wnf   pdV {For reversible process only}
1

Wnf = Q – ΔU {For irreversible process}

Q = heat transferred {Q = 0 if adiabatic}

II. Steady-flow System Process

Q = ΔH + Wsf

Where:
2
H  m  c p dT
1

2
Wsf  -  Vdp {For reversible process only}
1

Wsf = Q – ΔH {For irreversible process, ΔPE=0,& ΔKE=0}

Q = heat transferred {Q = 0 if adiabatic}

III. Shaft Work

Wshaft is the rotating mechanical power e.g. input power on

compressors and output power of turbines.
 Wshaft = Wsf – ΔPE – ΔKE

IV. Steady-flow Equation

PE1 + KE1 + U1 + Ef1 + Q = PE2 + KE2 + U2 + Ef2 + Wshaft

Q = ΔPE + ΔKE + ΔU + ΔEf + Wshaft

Q = ΔPE + ΔKE + ΔH + Wshaft

V. Change in Entropy
2
dQ
s  
1
T

Where:

Q = ΔU + Wnf {For non-flow processes}

Q = ΔH + Wsf {For steady-flow processes}

VI. Relationship Between Wnf and Wsf

From d(pV) = pdV + Vdp ,

2 2 2

 d(pV)   pdV   Vdp

1 1 1

2 2
 (pV)   pdV   Vdp
1 1

Δ(pV) = Wnf + Wsf

VII. P,V, and T Relations

p 2 V2 p 1 V1
 {Isometric, Isobaric, and Isothermal}
T2 T1

k k
p 2 V2  p 1 V1 {Isentropic}

n n
p 2 V2  p 1 V1 {Polytropic}

VIII. Ideal Gas Formulas

a) Equation of State, pV = mRT

 b) Gas Constant, R = cp – cv

c) Specific Heat Ratio or Isentropic Constant, k = cp/cv

Sample Problems

Example #1.

There are 1.36 kg of air at 137.9 kPaa stirred with internal

paddles in an insulated rigid container, whose volume is 0.142
m3, until the pressure becomes 689.5 kPaa. Determine the input
work.

Solution:

The process in the problem refers to an irreversible constant

volume non-flow process due to a constant volume (rigid
container) process with a non-flow work (paddle stirring work).
For reversible constant volume process (isometric), there is
supposed to be no non-flow work.

For irreversible non-flow process,

Q = ΔU + Wnf

Since it is mentioned that the container is insulated, this means

adiabatic wherein the walls prevent heat transfer in or out the
system. Hence, Q = 0

Wnf = -ΔU

Wnf = -mcv(T2-T1)

Solving for T1,

T1 = p1V1/mR

T1 = (137.9 kPaa)(0.142 m3)/(1.36 kg)(0.287 kJ/kg-K)

T1 = 50.1686 K
Solving for T2,

T2 = p2T1/p1

T2 = (689.5 kPaa)(50.1686 K)/(137.9 kPaa)

T2 = 250.843 K

Solving for Wnf,

Wnf = -(1.36 kg)(0.7186 kJ/kg-K)(250.843 K – 50.1686 K)

Wnf = -196.1183 kJ {Negative work means input work}

Example #2.

There are 1.36 kg of a gas, for which R = 0.377 kJ/kg-K and k =

1.25, that undergo a non-flow constant volume process from p1 =
551.6 kPaa and t1 = 60 C to p2 = 1,655 kPaa. During the process,
the gas is internally stirred, and there are also added 105.5 kJ
of heat. Determine the input work and Δs.

Solution:

The process in the problem refers to an irreversible constant

volume non-flow process similar as with the previous example
except that the walls are not adiabatic because there is heat
added to the system during the process.

For an irreversible non-flow process,

Q = ΔU + Wnf

Wnf = Q – ΔU

Wnf = Q – mcv(T2-T1)

&

Δs = mcvln(T2/T1)

Given,

Q = +105.5 kJ {Heat is added}

m = 1.36 kg
Solving for cv,

cv = R/(k-1)

cv = (0.377 kJ/kg-K)/(1.25-1)

cv = 1.508 kJ/kg-K

Solving for T1,

T1 = t1 + 273

T1 = 60 + 273

T1 = 333 K

Solving for T2,

T2 = p2T1/p1 {Constant volume process}

T2 = (1,655 kPaa)(333 K)/(551.6 kPaa)

T2 = 999.1207 K

Solving for Wnf,

Wnf = 105.5 kJ – (1.36 kg)(1.508 kJ/kg-K)(999.1207 K – 333 K)

Wnf = -1,260.6336 kJ {Negative sign means input work}

Solving for Δs,

Δs = (1.36 kg)(1.508 kJ/kg-K)[ln (999.1207K/333K)]

Δs = 2.2534 kJ/K

Example #3.

A centrifugal compressor handles 300 ft3/minute of air at 14.7

psi and 80F. The air is compressed to 30 psi. The initial speed
is 35 fps and the final speed is 170 fps. If the compression is
polytropic with n = 1.32, what is the work?

Solution:
The process involved in this problem refers to an internally
reversible steady-flow polytropic process. It is internally
reversible due to no friction in the compression process.

For internally reversible steady-flow polytropic process,

Q = ΔPE + ΔKE + ΔH + Wshaft

Since Wsf = ΔPE + ΔKE + Wshaft then

Wshaft = Wsf – ΔPE – ΔKE

Since ΔPE = 0 then

Wshaft = Wsf – ΔKE

2
Wsf  -  Vdp
1

n(p 2 V2 - p 1 V1 )
Wsf 
1- n

Given,

p1 = 14.7 psia

V1 = 300 ft3/min

p2 = 30 psia

n = 1.32

Solving for V2,

1
p V n n
V2   1 1 
 p 
 2 
1

 14.7  3001.32
V2  
  1.32

 30 
 

V2 = 174.7517 ft3/min

Solving for Wsf,

Wsf 
1.32   30144174.7517  14.7 144 300 
1  1.32
Wsf = -494,534.6204 ft-lbf/min

Wsf = (-494,534.6204 ft-lbf/min)(1 min/60 sec)(1 hp-sec/550 ft-lbf)

Wsf = -14.9859 hp {Negative work means input work}

Solving for m,

m = p1V1/RT1

m = (14.7)(144)(300)/(53.33)(80+460)

m = 22.0514 lbm/min

m = (22.0514)[1/(32.174)(60)]

m = 0.0114 slugs/sec

Solving for ΔKE,

1 2 2
KE  m(v 2 - v 1 )
2

ΔKE = (0.5)(0.0114)[(170^2)-(35^2)]

ΔKE = 158.0655 ft-lbf/sec

ΔKE = (158.0655)(1/550)

ΔKE = 0.2874 hp

Solving for Wshaft,

Wshaft = -14.9859 – 0.2874

Wshaft = -15.2733 hp {Total input work}