Outcome_1T2

Unit 13: Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines
Unit code D/615/1487

Unit level 4
Credit value 15
Learning Outcomes 1 and 2

Tutorial No. 2 – Thermodynamic Systems
Investigate fundamental thermodynamic systems and their

properties
Fundamental systems:
 Forms of energy and basic definitions

 Definitions of systems (open and closed) and surroundings
 First law of thermodynamics
 The gas laws: Charles’ Law, Boyle’s Law, general gas law
and the Characteristic Gas Equation
 The importance and applications of pressure/volume
diagrams and the concept of work done
 Polytrophic processes: constant pressure, constant volume,
adiabatic and isothermal systems
When you have completed this tutorial you should be able to do the
following.
 Explain and use the First Law of Thermodynamics.
 Solve problems involving various kinds of thermodynamic

systems.
 Explain and use polytropic expansion and compression processes.
Much of the content in this tutorial is necessary to achieve the assessment criteria
in both learning outcome 1 and learning outcome 2.
First we need to revise energy forms and energy transfer used with fluids
in thermodynamic systems.
© D.J.Dunn freestudy.co.uk 1
CONTENTS
1. Energy Transfer
1.1. Heat Transfer

1.2. Work Transfer
2. The First Law of Thermodynamics
2.1 Thermodynamic Systems

2.2 Non-Flow Systems
2.3 Steady Flow Systems
3. More Examples of Thermodynamic Systems
3.1 Piston in a Cylinder

3.2. Sealed Evaporator Or Condenser.
3.3. Pumps and Fluid Motors
3.4. Gas Compressors and Turbines.
3.5 Steady Flow Evaporators and Condensers
4. Polytropic Processes.
4.1 Compression and Expansion Processes.

4.2. Combining the Gas Law with The Polytropic Law.
4.3. Examples Involving Vapour
4.4. Closed System Work Laws
4.4.1. Expansion of Pressure With Volume
4.4.2. Work as Area Under The P - V Diagram
4.4.3. Work Laws for Closed Systems
4.5. Closed System Problems Involving Vapour
2
 D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk
1. ENERGY TRANSFER
There are two ways to transfer energy in and out of a system. These are by WORK
and HEAT TRANSFER. Both may be regarded as a quantity of energy transferred in
or out and measured in Joules. We also use energy transfer rate measured in J/s or
Watts.
When you complete section one you should be able to explain and calculate the
following.
 Heat transfer.
 Heat transfer rate.
 Work transfer
 Work transfer rate (Power)
1.1. HEAT TRANSFER
Heat transfer occurs because one

place is hotter than another. Under
normal circumstances, heat will only
flow from a hot body to a cold body
by virtue of the temperature
difference. There are 3 mechanisms
for this, Conduction, convection and
radiation. You do not need to study
the laws governing conduction,
convection and radiation in this module.
Fig.1
A quantity of energy transferred as heat is given the symbol Q and its basic unit is the
Joule. The quantity
transferred in one second is
the heat transfer rate and this
has the symbol  and the unit
is the Watt.
An example of this is when

heat passes from the furnace
of a steam boiler through the
walls separating the
combustion chamber from the
water and steam. In this case,
conduction, convection and
radiation all occur together.
Fig.2
3
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No.1
1. 1 kg/s of steam flows in a pipe 40 mm bore at 200 bar pressure and 400oC.
i. Look up the specific volume of the steam and determine the mean velocity in the
pipe.
(7.91 m/s)
ii. Determine the kinetic energy being transported per second.

(31.3 W)
iii. Determine the enthalpy being transported per second.

(2819 W)
4
1.2. WORK TRANSFER
Energy may be transported from one place to another mechanically. An example of

this is when the output shaft of a car engine transfers energy to the wheels. A quantity
of energy transferred as work is 'W' Joules but the work transferred in one second is
the Power 'P' Watts.
An example of power transfer is the shaft of a steam turbine used to transfer energy
from the steam to the generator in an electric power station.
Fig.3
It is useful to remember that the power transmitted by a shaft depends upon the torque
and angular velocity.
The formulae used are P = T or P = 2NT
 is the angular velocity in radian per second and N is the angular velocity in
revolutions per second.
5
WORKED EXAMPLE No. 1
A duct has a cross section of 0.2 m x 0.4 m. Steam flows through it at a rate of
3 kg/s with a pressure of 2 bar. The steam has a dryness fraction of 0.98.
Calculate all the individual forms of energy being transported.
SOLUTION
Cross sectional area = 0.2 x 0.4 = 0.08 m2.
Volume flow rate = mxvg at 2 bar
Volume flow rate = 3 x 0.98 x 0.8856 = 2.6 m3/s.
velocity = c = Volume/area = 2.6/0.08 = 32.5 m/s.
Kinetic Energy being transported = mc2/2 = 3 x 32.52 /2 = 1 584 Watts.
Enthalpy being transported = m(hf + x hfg)
H= 3(505 + 0.98 x 2202) = 7988.9kW
Flow energy being transported = pressure x volume
Flow Energy = 2x105 x 2.6 = 520 000 Watts
Internal energy being transported = m(uf + x ufg)
U = 3(505 + 0.98 x 2025)=7468.5 kW
Check flow energy = H - U = 7988.9 - 7468.5 = 520 kW
6
1. The shaft of a steam turbine produces 600 Nm torque at 50 rev/s. Calculate the
work transfer rate from the steam.
(188.5 W)
2. A car engine produces 30 kW of power at 3000 rev/min. Calculate the torque

produced.
(95.5 Nm)
7
2. THE FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS
When you have completed section two, you should be able to explain and use the
following terms.
 The First Law of Thermodynamics.

 Closed systems.
 The Non-Flow Energy Equation.
 Open systems.
 The Steady Flow Energy Equation.
2.1 THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEMS
In order to do energy calculations, we identify our system and draw a boundary

around it to separate it from the surroundings. We can then keep account of all the
energy crossing the boundary. The first law simply states that
The nett energy transfer = nett energy change of the system.
Fig. 4
Energy transfer into the system = E in)
Energy transfer out of system = E (out)
Nett change of energy inside system = E(in) - E (out) = E
This is the fundamental form of the FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS and it is

consistent with the law of conservation of energy.
Thermodynamic systems might contain only static fluid in which case they are called
NON-FLOW or CLOSED SYSTEMS.
Alternatively, there may be a steady flow of fluid through the system in which case it
is known as a STEADY FLOW or OPEN SYSTEM.
The energy equation is fundamentally different for each because most energy forms
only apply to a fluid in motion. We will look at non-flow systems first.
8
2.2 NON-FLOW SYSTEMS
The rules governing non-flow systems are as follows.
 The volume of the boundary may change.

 No fluid crosses the boundary.
 Energy may be transferred across the boundary.
When the volume enlarges, work (-W) is transferred from the system to the
surroundings. When the volume shrinks, work (+W) is transferred from the
surroundings into the system. Energy may also be transferred into the system as heat
(+Q) or out of the system (-Q). This is best shown with the example of a piston sliding
inside a cylinder filled with a gas or vapour. You might recognise that this applies
many types of engines and compressors.
Fig.5
The only energy possessed by the fluid is internal energy (U) so the net change is 
U. The energy equation becomes
Q + W = U
This is known as the NON-FLOW ENERGY EQUATION (N.F.E.E.)
9
2.3 STEADY FLOW SYSTEMS
The laws governing this type of system are as follows.
 Fluid enters and leaves through the boundary at a steady rate.

 Energy may be transferred into or out of the system.
A good example of this system is a steam turbine. Energy may be transferred out as a
rate of heat transfer  or as a rate of work transfer P.
Fig.6.
The fluid entering and leaving has potential energy (PE), kinetic energy (KE) and
enthalpy (H).
The first law becomes  + P = Nett change in energy of the fluid.
 + P = (PE)/s + (KE)/s + (H)/s
This is called the STEADY FLOW ENERGY EQUATION (S.F.E.E.)
Again, we will use the convention of positive for energy transferred into the system.
Note that the term  means ‘change of’ and if the inlet is denoted point (1) and the
outlet point (2). The change is the difference between the values at (2) and (1). For
example H means (H2-H1).
10
WORKED EXAMPLE No.3
A steam turbine is supplied with 30 kg/s of superheated steam at 80 bar and

400oC with negligible velocity. The turbine shaft produces 200 kNm of torque at
3000 rev/min. There is a heat loss of 1.2 MW from the casing. Determine the
thermal power remaining in the exhaust steam.
SOLUTION
Shaft Power = 2NT =2(3000/60) x 200 000 = 62.831 x 106 W = 62.831 MW
Thermal power supplied = H at 80 bar and 400oC
H = 30(3139) = 94170 kW = 94.17 MW
Total energy flow into turbine = 94.17 MW
Energy flow out of turbine = 94.17 MW = SP + Loss + Exhaust.
Thermal Power in exhaust = 94.17 -1.2 - 62.831 = 30.14 MW
1. A non-flow system receives 80 kJ of heat transfer and loses 20 kJ as work

transfer. What is the change in the internal energy of the fluid?
(60 kJ)
2. A non-flow system receives 100 kJ of heat transfer and also 40 kJ of work is
transferred to it. What is the change in the internal energy of the fluid?
(140 kJ)
3. A steady flow system receives 500 kW of heat and loses 200 kW of work. What
is the net change in the energy of the fluid flowing through it?
(300 kW)
4. A steady flow system loses 2 kW of heat also loses 4 kW of work. What is the
net change in the energy of the fluid flowing through it?
(-6 kW)
5. A steady flow system loses 3 kW of heat also loses 20 kW of work. The fluid
flows through the system at a steady rate of 70 kg/s. The velocity at inlet is 20
m/s and at outlet it is 10 m/s. The inlet is 20 m above the outlet. Calculate the
following.
i. The change in K.E./s (-10.5 kW)

ii. The change in P.E/s (-13.7 kW)
iii. The change in enthalpy/s (1.23 kW)
11
3. MORE EXAMPLES OF THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEMS
When we examine a thermodynamic system, we must first decide whether it is a non-

flow or a steady flow system. First, we will look at examples of non-flow systems.
3.1 PISTON IN A CYLINDER
Fig. 7
There may be heat and work transfer. The N.F.E.E. is, Q + W = U
Sometimes there is no heat transfer (e.g. when the cylinder is insulated).
Q = 0 so W = U
If the piston does not move, the volume is fixed and no work transfer occurs. In this
case
Q = U
For a GAS ONLY the change in internal energy is U= mCvT.
3.2. SEALED EVAPORATOR OR CONDENSER.
Fig. 8
Since no change in volume occurs, there is no work transfer so Q = U
12
WORKED EXAMPLE No.4
30 g of gas inside a cylinder fitted with a piston has a temperature of 15oC. The
piston is moved with a mean force of 200 N so that that it moves 60 mm and
compresses the gas. The temperature rises to 21oC as a result.
Calculate the heat transfer given c v = 718 J/kg K.
SOLUTION
This is a non flow system so the law applying is Q + W = U

The change in internal energy is U = mcv T = 0.03 x 718 x (21 - 15)
U = 129.24 J
The work is transferred into the system because the volume shrinks.
W = force x distance moved = 200 x 0.06 = 12 J
Q = U - W = 117.24 J
Now we will look at examples of steady flow systems.
13
3.3. PUMPS AND FLUID MOTORS
The diagram shows typical pictures and graphical symbols for pumps and motors.
Fig.9
The S.F.E.E. states,
 + P =KE/s + PE/s + H/s
In this case, especially if the fluid is a liquid, the velocity is the same at inlet and
outlet and the kinetic energy is ignored. If the inlet and outlet are at the same height,
the PE is also neglected. Heat transfer does not usually occur in pumps and motors so
 is zero.
The S.F.E.E. simplifies to P = H/s
Remember that enthalpy is the sum of internal energy and flow energy. The enthalpy
of gases, vapours and liquids may be found. In the case of liquids, the change of
internal energy is small and so the change in enthalpy is equal to the change in flow
energy only.
The equation simplifies further to P =FE/s
Since FE = pV and V is constant for a liquid, this becomes P = Vp
14
WORKED EXAMPLE No.5
A pump delivers 20 kg/s of oil of density 780 kg/m3 from atmospheric pressure
at inlet to 800 kPa gauge pressure at outlet. The inlet and outlet pipes are the
same size and at the same level. Calculate the theoretical power input.
SOLUTION
Since the pipes are the same size, the velocities are equal and the change in
kinetic energy is zero. Since they are at the same level, the change in potential
energy is also zero. Neglect heat transfer and internal energy.
P= V p
V = m/ = 20/780 = 0.0256 m3/s
p = 800 - 0 = 800 kPa
P = 0.0256 x 800000 = 20 480 W or 20.48 kW
15
WORKED EXAMPLE No.6
A feed pump on a power station pumps 20 kg/s of water. At inlet the water is at 1
bar and 120oC. At outlet it is at 200 bar and 140oC. Assuming that there is no
heat transfer and that PE and KE are negligible, calculate the theoretical power
input.
In this case the internal energy has increased due to frictional heating.
The SFEE reduces to P = H/s = m(h2 - h1)
The h values may be found from tables.
h1 = 504 kJ/kg
This is near enough the value of hf at 120oC bar in steam tables.
h2 = 602 kJ/kg
P = 20 (602 - 504) = 1969 kW or 1.969 MW
If water tables are not to hand the problem may be solved as follows.
h = u + f.e.
u = c T where c = 4.18 kJ/kg K for water
u = 4.18 (140 - 120) =83.6 kJ/kg
f.e. = Vp
The volume of water is normally around 0.001 m3/kg.
f.e. = 0.001 x (200 - 1) x 105 = 19 900 J/kg or 19.9 kJ/kg
hence h = u + fe = 83.6 + 19.9 = 103.5 kJ/kg
P = mh = 20 x 103.5 = 2070 kW or 2.07 MW
The discrepancies between the answers are slight and due to the fact the value of
the specific heat and of the specific volume are not accurate at 200 bar.
16
3.4. GAS COMPRESSORS AND TURBINES.
Figure 10 shows the basic construction of an axial flow compressor and turbine.
These have rows of aerofoil blades on the rotor and in the casing. The turbine passes
high pressure hot gas or steam from left to right making the rotor rotate. The
compressor draws in gas and compresses it in stages.
Fig. 10
Compressing a gas normally makes it hotter but expanding it makes it colder. This is
because gas is compressible and unlike the cases for liquids already covered, the
volumes change dramatically with pressure. This might cause a change in velocity and
hence kinetic energy. Often both kinetic and potential energy are negligible. The
internal energy change is not negligible. Figure 11 shows graphical symbols for
turbines and compressors. Note the narrow end is always the high pressure end.
Fig.11
17
WORKED EXAMPLE No.7
A gas turbine uses 5 kg/s of hot air. It takes it in at 6 bar and 900 oC and exhausts
it at 450oC. The turbine loses 20 kW of heat from the casing. Calculate the
theoretical power output given that cp = 1005 J/kg K.
First identify this as a steady flow system for which the equation is
 + P = K.E./s + P.E./s + H/s
For lack of further information we assume K.E. and PE to be negligible. The heat
transfer rate is -20 kW.
The enthalpy change for a gas is H = mCpT
H = 5 x 1005 x (450 - 900) = -2261000 W or -2.261 MW
P = H -  = -2261 - (-20) = -2241 kW
The minus sign indicates that the power is leaving the turbine. Note that if this
was a steam turbine, you would look up the h values in the steam tables.
18
3.5 STEADY FLOW EVAPORATORS AND CONDENSERS
A refrigerator is a good example of a thermodynamic system. In particular, it has a

heat exchanger inside that absorbs heat at a cold temperature and evaporates the liquid
into a gas. The gas is compressed and becomes hot. The gas is then cooled and
condensed on the outside in another heat exchanger.
Fig. 2.12
For both the evaporator and condenser, there is no work transferred in or out. K.E. and
P.E. are not normally a feature of such systems so the S.F.E.E. reduces to
 = H/s
On steam power plant, boilers are used to raise steam and these are examples of large
evaporators working at high pressures and temperatures. Steam condensers are also
found on power stations. The energy equation is the same, whatever the application.
19
WORKED EXAMPLE No.8
A steam condenser takes in wet steam at 8 kg/s and dryness fraction 0.82. This is
condensed into saturated water at outlet. The working pressure is 0.05 bar.
Calculate the heat transfer rate.
SOLUTION
 = H/s = m(h2 - h1)
h1 = hf + x hfg at 0.05 bar
from the steam tables we find that
h1 = 138 + 0.82(2423) = 2125 kJ/kg
h2 = hf at 0.05 bar = 138 kJ/kg
hence  = 8(138 - 2125) = -15896 kW
The negative sign indicates heat transferred from the system to the surroundings.
20
1. Gas is contained inside a cylinder fitted with a piston. The gas is at 20 oC and has
a mass of 20 g. The gas is compressed with a mean force of 80 N which moves
the piston 50 mm. At the same time 5 Joules of heat transfer occurs out of the gas.
Calculate the following.
i. The work done. (4 J)
ii. The change in internal energy. (-1 J)
iii. The final temperature. (19.9oC)
Take cv as 718 J/kg K
2. A steady flow air compressor draws in air at 20oC and compresses it to 120oC at
outlet. The mass flow rate is 0.7 kg/s. At the same time, 5 kW of heat is
transferred into the system. Calculate the following.
i. The change in enthalpy per second. (70.35 kW)
ii. The work transfer rate. (65.35 kW)
Take cp as 1005 J/kg K.
3. A steady flow boiler is supplied with water at 15 kg/s, 100 bar pressure and
200oC. The water is heated and turned into steam. This leaves at 15 kg/s, 100 bar
and 500oC. Using your steam tables, find the following.
i. The specific enthalpy of the water entering. (856 kJ/kg)
ii. The specific enthalpy of the steam leaving. (3373 kJ/kg)
iii. The heat transfer rate. (37.75 kW)
4. A pump delivers 50 dm3/min of water from an inlet pressure of 100 kPa to an

outlet pressure of 3 MPa. There is no measurable rise in temperature. Ignoring
K.E. and P.E, calculate the work transfer rate. (2.42 kW)
5. A water pump delivers 130 dm3/minute (0.13 m3/min) drawing it in at 100 kPa
and delivering it at 500 kPa. Assuming that only flow energy changes occur,
calculate the power supplied to the pump. (860 W)
21
6. A steam condenser is supplied with 2 kg/s of steam at 0.07 bar and dryness
fraction 0.9. The steam is condensed into saturated water at outlet. Determine the
following.
i. The specific enthalpies at inlet and outlet. (2331 kJ/kg and 163 kJ/kg)
ii. The heat transfer rate. (4336 kW)
7. 0.2 kg/s of gas is heated at constant pressure in a steady flow system from 10 oC
to 180oC. Calculate the heat transfer rate . (37.4 kW)
Cp = 1.1 kJ/kg K
8. 0.3 kg of gas is cooled from 120oC to 50oC at constant volume in a closed

system. Calculate the heat transfer. (-16.8 kJ)
Cv = 0.8 kJ/kg.
22
4. POLYTROPIC PROCESSES.
When you complete section four you should be able to do the following.
 Use the laws governing the expansion and compression of a fluid.

 State the names of standard processes.
 Derive and use the work laws for closed system expansions and compressions.
 Solve problems involving gas and vapour processes in closed systems.
We will start by examining expansion and compression processes.
4.1 COMPRESSION AND EXPANSION PROCESSES.
A compressible fluid (gas or vapour) may be compressed by reducing its volume or

expanded by increasing its volume. This may be done inside a cylinder by moving a
piston or by allowing the pressure to change as it flows through a system such as a
turbine. For ease of understanding, let us consider the change as occurring inside a
cylinder. The process is best explained with a pressure - volume graph.
When the volume of a compressible fluid changes, the pressure and temperature may
also change. The resulting pressure depends upon the final temperature. The final
temperature depends on whether the fluid is cooled or heated during the process. It is
normal to show these changes on a graph of pressure plotted against volume. (p-V
graphs). A typical graph for a compression and an expansion process is shown in
fig.13.
Fig. 13
It has been discovered that the resulting curves follows the mathematical law
pVn = constant.
23
Depending on whether the fluid is heated or cooled as it is expanded or compressed, a
family of such curves is obtained as shown (fig.14). Each graph has a different value
of n and n is called the index of expansion or compression.
The diagrams are called p -V graphs and they are very useful for explaining things
about the processes.
Consider the process taking place between a single starting point (1) and different
finishing point (2). Cooling produces a lower final pressure and heating produces a
higher final pressure so lower values of n (e.g.1) indicates cooling and higher values
of n (e.g. 1.5) indicate heating. Somewhere in between there is a value of n that
represents neither heat nor cooling and this is a special case explained below.
Fig.14
The most common processes are as follows.
CONSTANT VOLUME also known as ISOCHORIC
A vertical graph is a constant volume process and so it is neither a compression nor

expansion. Since no movement of the piston occurs then no work transfer has taken
place. Nevertheless, it still fits the law with n having a value of infinity.
CONSTANT PRESSURE also known as ISOBARIC
A horizontal graph represents a change in volume with no pressure change (constant

pressure process). The value of n is zero in this case.
CONSTANT TEMPERATURE also known as ISOTHERMAL
All the graphs in between constant volume and constant pressure represent processes
with a value of n between infinity and zero. One of these represents the case when the
temperature is maintained constant by cooling or heating by just the right amount.
When the fluid is a gas, the law coincides with Boyle's Law pV = constant so it
follows that n is 1.
When the fluid is a vapour, the gas law is not accurate and the value of n is close to
but not equal to 1.
24
ADIABATIC PROCESS
When the pressure and volume change in such a way that no heat is added nor lost
from the fluid (e.g. by using an insulated cylinder), the process is called adiabatic.
This is an important process and is the one that occurs when the change takes place so
rapidly that there is no time for heat transfer to occur. This process represents a
demarcation between those in which heat flows into the fluid and those in which heat
flows out of the fluid. In order to show it is special, the symbol  is used instead of n
and the law is
pV = C
It will be found that each gas has a special value for  (e.g. 1.4 for dry air).
POLYTROPIC PROCESS
All the other curves represent changes with some degree of heat transfer either into or
out of the fluid. These are generally known as polytropic processes.
HYPERBOLIC PROCESS
The process with n =1 is a hyperbola so it is called a hyperbolic process. This is also

isothermal for gas but not for vapour. It is usually used in the context of a steam
expansion.
WORKED EXAMPLE No.9
A gas is compressed from 1 bar and 100 cm3 to 20 cm3 by the law
pV1.3=constant. Calculate the final pressure.
SOLUTION.
1.3 1.3 1.3
If pV = C then p1V1 = C = p2V2
1.3 1.3
hence 1 x 100 = p2 x 20
1.3
1 x (100/20) = p2 = 8.1 bar
25
WORKED EXAMPLE No.10
1.2
Vapour at 10 bar and 30 cm3 is expanded to 1 bar by the law pV = C. Find the
final volume.
SOLUTION.
1. 1.2
p1V1 2 = C = p2V2
1.2 1.2
10 x 30 = 1 x V2 V2= (592.3)1/1.2 = 204.4 cm3
A gas is compressed from 200 kPa and 120 cm3 to 30 cm3 and the resulting
pressure is 1 MPa. Calculate the index of compression n.
SOLUTION.
n n
200 x 120 = 1000 x 30
n
(120/30) = 1000/200 = 5
n
4 =5
nlog4 = log 5
n = log5/log4 = 1.6094/1.3863 = 1.161
Note this may be solved with natural or base 10 logs or directly on suitable
calculators.
26
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No. 5
1. A vapour is expanded from 12 bar and 50 cm3 to 150 cm3 and the resulting
pressure is 6 bar. Calculate the index of compression n. (0.63)
2.a. A gas is compressed from 200 kPa and 300 cm3 to 800 kPa by the law pV1.4=C.
Calculate the new volume. (111.4 cm3)
2.b. The gas was at 50oC before compression. Calculate the new temperature using
the gas law pV/T = C. (207oC)
3.a. A gas is expanded from 2 MPa and 50 cm 3 to 150 cm3 by the law pV1.25 = C.
Calculate the new pressure. (506 kPa)
3.b. The temperature was 500oC before expansion. Calculate the final temperature.
(314oC)
27
4.2. COMBINING THE GAS LAW WITH THE POLYTROPIC LAW.
For gases only, the general law may be combined with the law of expansion as
follows.
Since for an expansion or compression
Substituting into the gas law we get
and further since
substituting into the gas law gives
To summarise we have found that
In the case of an adiabatic process this is written as
For an isothermal process n = 1 and the temperatures are the same.
A gas is compressed adiabatically with a volume compression ratio of 10. The initial
temperature is 25oC. Calculate the final temperature given  = 1.4
SOLUTION
28
A gas is compressed polytropically by the law pV1.2 = C from 1 bar and 20oC to
12 bar. calculate the final temperature.
SOLUTION
A gas is expanded from 900 kPa and 1100oC to 100 kPa by the law pV1.3 = C.
Calculate the final temperature.
SOLUTION
29
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No. 6
1. A gas is expanded from 1 MPa and 1000oC to 100 kPa. Calculate the final
temperature when the process is
i. Isothermal (n=1) (1000oC)
ii Polytropic (n=1.2) (594oC)
iii. Adiabatic ( =1.4) (386oC)
iv. Polytropic (n= 1.6) (264oC)
2. A gas is compressed from 120 kPa and 15oC to 800 kPa. Calculate the final
temperature when the process is
i. Isothermal (n=1) (15oC)
ii. Polytropic (n=1.3) (173oC)
iii Adiabatic (=1.4) (222oC)
iv. Polytropic (n= 1.5) (269oC)
3. A gas is compressed from 200 kPa and 20oC to 1.1 MPa by the law pV1.3=C.
The mass is 0.02 kg. cp=1005 J/kg K. cv = 718 J/kg K. Calculate the following.
i. The final temperature. (434 K)
ii. The change in internal energy (2.03 kJ)
iii. The change in enthalpy (2.84 kJ)
4. A gas is expanded from 900 kPa and 1200oC to 120 kPa by the law
pV1.4 = C. The mass is 0.015 kg. cp=1100 J/kg K cv = 750 J/kg K
Calculate the following.
i. The final temperature. (828 K)
ii. The change in internal energy (-7.25 kJ)
iii. The change in enthalpy (-10.72 kJ)
30
4.3. EXAMPLES INVOLVING VAPOUR
Problems involving vapour make use of the formulae pVn = C in the same way as
those involving gas. You cannot apply gas laws, however, unless it is superheated into
the gas region. You must make use of vapour properties from tables or other data
sources so a good understanding of this is essential. This is best explained with
worked examples.
A steam turbine expands steam from 20 bar and 300oC to 1 bar by the law
pV1.2= C.
Determine for each kg flowing:
a. the initial and final volume.

b. the dryness fraction after expansion.
c. the initial and final enthalpies.
d. the change in enthalpy.
SOLUTION
The system is a steady flow system in which expansion takes place as the fluid
flows. The law of expansion applies in just the same way as in a closed system.
The initial volume is found from steam tables. At 20 bar and 300 oC it is
superheated and from the tables we find v= 0.1255 m3/kg
1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2
Next apply the law pV =C p1V1 = p2V2 20 x 0.1255 = 1 x V2
Hence V2= 1.523m3/kg
Next, find the dryness fraction as follows.

Final volume = 1.523 m3/kg = xvg at 1 bar.
From the tables we find vg is 1.694 m3/kg
hence 1.523 = 1.694x x = 0.899
We may now find the enthalpies in the usual way.
h1 at 20 bar and 300oC is 3025 kJ/kg

h2 = hf + xhfg at 1 bar (wet steam)
h2 = 417 + (0.899)(2258) = 2447 kJ/kg
The change in enthalpy is h2 - h1 = -578 kJ/kg
31
1. 3 kg/s of steam is expanded in a turbine from 10 bar and 200 oC to 1.5 bar by the
law pV1.2=C. Determine the following.
i. The initial and final volumes. (0.618 m3 and 3 m3)
ii. The dryness fraction after expansion. (0.863)
iii. The initial and final enthalpies. (2829 kJ/kg and 2388 kJ/kg)
iv. The change in enthalpy. -1324 kW)
2. 1.5 kg/s of steam is expanded from 70 bar and 450 oC to 0.05 bar by the law
pV1.3 = C. Determine the following.
i. The initial and final volumes. (0.066 m3/kg and 17.4 m3/kg)
ii. The dryness fraction after expansion. (0.411)
iii. The initial and final enthalpies. (3287 kJ/kg and 1135 kJ/kg)
iv. The change in enthalpy. (-3228 kW)
3. A horizontal cylindrical vessel is divided into two sections each 1m 3 volume, by

a non-conducting piston. One section contains steam of dryness fraction 0.3 at a
pressure of 1 bar, while the other contains air at the same pressure and
temperature as the steam. Heat is transferred to the steam very slowly until its
pressure reaches 2 bar.
Assume that the compression of the air is adiabatic (=1.4) and neglect the effect
of friction between the piston and cylinder. Calculate the following.
i. The final volume of the steam. (1.39 m3)
ii. The mass of the steam. (1.97 kg)
iii. The initial internal energy of the steam. (2053 kJ)
iv The final dryness fraction of the steam. (0.798)
v. The final internal energy of the steam. (4172 kJ)
vi. The heat added to the steam. (2119 kJ)
32
4.4. CLOSED SYSTEM WORK LAWS
4.4.1. EXPANSION OF PRESSURE WITH VOLUME
We will start by studying the expansion of a fluid inside a cylinder against a piston
which may do work against the surroundings.
A fluid may expand in two ways.
a) It may expand rapidly and uncontrollably doing no useful work. In such a case
the pressure could not be plotted against volume during the process. This is
called an UNRESISTED EXPANSION
b) It may expand moving the piston. The movement is resisted by external forces
so the gas pressure changes in order to overcome the external force and move
the piston. In this case the movement is controlled and the variation of pressure
with volume may be recorded and plotted on a p-V graph. Work is done against
the surroundings. This process is called a RESISTED EXPANSION.
Consider the arrangement shown in fig. 15. The hanging weight pushes the piston to
the left and gas pressure pushes to the right at a point of balance. If the string holding
the weight was cut, the gas pressure would slam the piston to the right and the energy
would be dissipated first by acceleration of the moving parts and eventually as
friction. The expansion would be unresisted.
Fig. 15
If the weights were gradually reduced, the gas would push the piston and raise the
remaining weights. In this way, work would be done against the surroundings (it ends
up as potential energy in the weights). The process may be repeated in many small
steps, with the change in volume each time being dV. The pressure although
changing, is p at any time.
33
This process is characterised by two important factors.
1. The process may be reversed at any time by adding weights and the potential
energy is transferred back from the surroundings as work is done on the system.
The fluid may be returned to its original pressure, volume, temperature and
energy.
2. The fluid force on one side of the piston is always exactly balanced by the
external force (in this case due to the weights) on the other side of the piston.
The expansion or compression done in this manner is said to be REVERSIBLE and

CARRIED OUT IN EQUILIBRIUM.
4.4.2. WORK AS AREA UNDER THE p - V DIAGRAM
If the expansion is carried out in equilibrium, the force of the fluid must be equal to
the external force F. It follows that F = pA.
When the piston moves a small distance dx, the work done is dW
dW = - F dx =- pAdx = - pdV.
The minus sign is because the work is leaving the system.
For an expansion from points 1 to 2 it follows that the total work done is given by
We must remember at this stage that our sign convention was that work leaving the
system is negative.
It should be noted that some of the work is used to overcome any external pressure
such as atmospheric and the useful work is reduced. Consider the system shown in
fig.15 again but this time suppose there is atmospheric pressure on the outside p a.
In this case It follows that
F + paA = pA.
F = pA. - paA
When the piston moves a small distance dx, the the useful work done is –F dx
- F dx = - (pAdx - paAdx) = - (p - pa)dV.
For an expansion from points 1 to 2 it follows that the useful work done is given by
34
4.4.3. WORK LAWS FOR CLOSED SYSTEMS
V2
If we solve the expression W    pdV we obtain the work laws for a closed system.
V1
The solution depends upon the relationship between p and V. The formulae now
derived apply equally well to a compression process and an expansion process. Let us
now solve these cases.
CONSTANT PRESSURE
W = - p (V2-V1)
CONSTANT VOLUME
If V is constant then dV = 0
W=0
HYPERBOLIC
This is an expansion which follows the law pV1 = C and is ISOTHERMAL when it
-1
is a gas. Substituting p = CV the expression becomes
Since pV = C then
In the case of gas we can substitute pV = mRT and so
35
POLYTROPIC
In this case the expansion follows the law pVn = C. The solution is as follows.
C =p1V1 or p2V2
For gas only we may substitute pV = mRT and so
ADIABATIC
Since an adiabatic case is the special case of a polytropic expansion with no heat
transfer, the derivation is identical but the symbol  is used instead of n.
For gas only we may substitute pV = mRT and so
This is the special case of the polytropic process in which Q = 0.
Substituting for Q and U in the NFEE we find
36
This shows that the ratio of the principal specific heat capacities is the adiabatic index.
It was shown earlier that the difference is the gas constant R. These important
relationships should be remembered.
Cp – Cv = R
 = Cp/Cv
Air at a pressure of 500 kPa and volume 50 cm 3 is expanded reversibly in a

closed system to 800 cm3 by the law pV1.3 = C. Calculate the following.
a. The final pressure.

b. The work done.
SOLUTION
p1 = 500 kPa V1 = 50 x 10 -6 m3 V2 = 800 x 10-6 m3
W=-47 Joules
Steam at 6 bar pressure and volume 100 cm 3 is expanded reversibly in a closed

system to 2 dm3 by the law pV1.2 = C. Calculate the work done.
SOLUTION
-6 3 -3
p1 = 6 bar V1 = 100 x 10 m V2 = 2 x 10 m3
W =-135.2 Joules
37
1. 10 g of steam at 10 bar and 350oC expands reversibly in a closed system to 2

bar by the law pV1.3=C . Calculate the following.
i. The initial volume. (0.00282 m3)
ii. The final volume. (0.00974 m3)
iii. The work done. (-2.92 kJ)
2. 20 g of gas at 20oC and 1 bar pressure is compressed to 9 bar by the law

pV1.4 = C. Taking the gas constant R = 287 J/kg K calculate the work done.
(Note that for a compression process the work will turn out to be positive if you
correctly identify the initial and final conditions). (3.67 kJ)
3. Gas at 600 kPa and 0.05 dm3 is expanded reversibly to 100 kPa by the law
pV1.35 = C. Calculate the work done. (-31.8 kJ)
4. 15 g of gas is compressed isothermally from 100 kPa and 20 oC to 1 MPa pressure.

The gas constant is 287 J/kg K. Calculate the work done. (2.9 kJ)
5. Steam at 10 bar with a volume of 80 cm3 is expanded reversibly to 1 bar by the

law pV=C. Calculate the work done. (-184.2 kJ)
6. Gas fills a cylinder fitted with a frictionless piston. The initial pressure and
volume are 40 MPa and 0.05 dm3 respectively. The gas expands reversibly and
polytropically to 0.5 MPa and 1 dm 3 respectively. Calculate the index of
expansion and the work done. (1.463 and -3.24 kJ)
7. An air compressor commences compression when the cylinder contains 12 g at a

pressure is 1.01 bar and the temperature is 20 oC. The compression is completed
when the pressure is 7 bar and the temperature 90oC. (1.124 and 1944 J)
The characteristic gas constant R is 287 J/kg K. Assuming the process is

reversible and polytropic, calculate the index of compression and the work done.
38
0.2 kg of gas at 100 oC is expanded isothermally and reversibly from 1 MPa

pressure to 100 kPa. Take Cv = 718 J/kg K and R = 287 J/kg K.
Calculate
i. The work transfer.

ii. The change in internal energy.
iii. The heat transfer.
SOLUTION
The work is leaving the system so it is a negative work transfer.
Since T is constant U = 0 Q - 49.3 = 0 Q = 49.3 kJ
Note that 49.3 kJ of heat is transferred into the gas and 49.3 kJ of work is
transferred out of the gas leaving the internal energy unchanged.
Repeat worked example 17 but for an adiabatic process with  = 1.4

Calculate
SOLUTION
For an adiabatic process Q = 0

Q + W = hence ΔU = -25830 J
Check ΔU =mCv ΔT = 0.2 x 718 x (193-373) = -25848 J
(Minor difference due to rounding off)
39
Repeat worked example 17 but for a polytropic process with n=1.25

Calculate
SOLUTION
ΔU = mCv ΔT = 0.2 x 718 x (235.3 - 373) = -19773.7 J
Q = ΔU - W
Q = -19773.7- (-31603) = 11831.3 J
40
Take Cv = 718 J/kg K and R = 287 J/kg K throughout.
1. 1 dm3 of gas at 100 kPa and 20oC is compressed to 1.2 MPa reversibly by the law
pV1.2 = C. Calculate the following.
i. The final volume. (0.126 dm3)

ii. The work transfer. (257 J)
iii. The final temperature. (170oC)
iv. The mass. (1.189 g)
v. The change in internal energy. (128 J)
vi. The heat transfer. (-128 J)
2. 0.05 kg of gas at 20 bar and 1100oC is expanded reversibly to 2 bar by the law
pV1.3 =C in a closed system. Calculate the following.
i. The initial volume. (9.85 dm3)

ii. The final volume. (58 dm3)
iii. The work transfer. (-27 kJ)
iv. The change in internal energy. (-20.3 kJ)
v. The heat transfer. (6.7 kJ)
3. 0.08 kg of air at 700 kPa and 800oC is expanded adiabatically to 100 kPa in a
closed system. Taking  = 1.4 calculate the following.
i. The final temperature. (615.4 K)

ii. The work transfer. (26.3 kJ)
iii. The change in internal energy. (-26.3 J)
41
4. A horizontal cylinder is fitted with a frictionless piston and its movement is
restrained by a spring as shown (Figure 16.)
Figure 16
a. The spring force is directly proportional to movement such that F/x = k
Show that the change in pressure is directly proportional to the change in volume
such that p/V = k/A2
b. The air is initially at a pressure and temperature of 100 kPa and 300 K
respectively. Calculate the initial volume such that when the air is heated, the
pressure – volume graph is a straight line that extends to the origin. (0.5 dm3)
c. The air is heated making the volume three times the original value. Calculate the
following.
i. The mass. (0.58 g)

ii. The final pressure. (300 kPa)
iii. The final temperature. (2700 K)
iv. The work done. (-200 kJ)
v. The change in internal energy. (917 J)
vi. The heat transfer. (1.12 kJ)
42
4.5. CLOSED SYSTEM PROBLEMS INVOLVING VAPOUR
The solution of problems involving steam and other vapours is done in the same way
as for gases with the important proviso that gas laws must not be used. Volumes and
internal energy values should be obtained from tables and property charts. This is best
illustrated with a worked example.
WORKED EXAMPLE No. 20
1kg of steam occupies a volume of 0.2 m3 at 9 bar in a closed system. The steam
is heated at constant pressure until the volume is 0.3144 m 3. Calculate the
following.
i. The initial dryness fraction.
ii. The final condition.
iii. The work transfer.
iv. The change in internal energy.
v. The heat transfer.
SOLUTION
First find the initial dryness fraction.
V1 = 0.2 = mx1vg at 9 bar x1= 0.2/(1 x 0.2149)
x1= 0.931 (initial dryness fraction).
Now determine the specific volume after expansion.

3
p2 = 9 bar (constant pressure) V2 = 0.3144 m .
3
V2 = mv2 v2 = 0.3144/1 = 0.3144m /kg
First, look in the superheat tables to see if this value exists for superheat steam.
We find that at 9 bar and 350oC, the specific volume is indeed 0.3144 m3/kg.
The final condition is superheated to 350oC .
Note that if v2 was less than vg at 9 bar the steam would be wet and x2 would have
to be found.
Next find the work.
W = -p(V2 - V1 ) = -9x 105 (0.3144 - 0.2 ) = -102950 J
W = -102.95 kJ (Energy leaving the system)
43
Next determine the internal energy from steam tables.
U1 = m u1 and u1 = uf + x1ufg at 9 bar
ufg at 9 bar = ug - uf = 2581 - 742 = 1839 kJ/kg
U1 = 1{742 + 0.931(1839) } = 2454 kJ
o
U2 = m u2 and u2 = u at 9 bar and 350 C = 2877 kJ/kg
U2 = m u2 = 1(2877) = 2877 kJ.
The change in internal energy = U2 - U1 = 423 kJ (increased)
Finally deduce the heat transfer from the NFEE
Q + W = U
hence Q = U - W = 423 - (-102.95)
Q = 526 kJ (energy entering the system)
44
1. 0.2 kg of dry saturated steam at 10 bar pressure is expanded reversibly in a

closed system to 1 bar by the law pV1.2 =C. Calculate the following.
i. The initial volume. (38.9 dm3)
ii. The final volume. (264 dm3)
iii. The work transfer. (-62 kJ)
iv. The dryness fraction. (0.779)
v. The change in internal energy. (-108 kJ)
vi. The heat transfer. (-46 kJ)
2. Steam at 15 bar and 250oC is expanded reversibly in a closed system to 5 bar. At

this pressure the steam is just dry saturated. For a mass of 1 kg calculate the
following.
i. The final volume. (0.375 m3)

ii. The change in internal energy. (-165 kJ)
iii. The work done. (-187 kJ)
iv. The heat transfer. (22.1 kJ)
45

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Unit 13: Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines

Unit code D/615/1487

Learning Outcomes 1 and 2

Investigate fundamental thermodynamic systems and their

 Forms of energy and basic definitions

 Explain and use the First Law of Thermodynamics.

 Solve problems involving various kinds of thermodynamic

 Explain and use polytropic expansion and compression processes.

1.1. Heat Transfer

2. The First Law of Thermodynamics

2.1 Thermodynamic Systems

3. More Examples of Thermodynamic Systems

3.1 Piston in a Cylinder

4.1 Compression and Expansion Processes.

4.5. Closed System Problems Involving Vapour

1.1. HEAT TRANSFER

Heat transfer occurs because one

An example of this is when

ii. Determine the kinetic energy being transported per second.

iii. Determine the enthalpy being transported per second.

Energy may be transported from one place to another mechanically. An example of

The formulae used are P = T or P = 2NT

Cross sectional area = 0.2 x 0.4 = 0.08 m2.

Volume flow rate = mxvg at 2 bar

Volume flow rate = 3 x 0.98 x 0.8856 = 2.6 m3/s.

velocity = c = Volume/area = 2.6/0.08 = 32.5 m/s.

Kinetic Energy being transported = mc2/2 = 3 x 32.52 /2 = 1 584 Watts.

Enthalpy being transported = m(hf + x hfg)

H= 3(505 + 0.98 x 2202) = 7988.9kW

Flow energy being transported = pressure x volume

Flow Energy = 2x105 x 2.6 = 520 000 Watts

Internal energy being transported = m(uf + x ufg)

U = 3(505 + 0.98 x 2025)=7468.5 kW

Check flow energy = H - U = 7988.9 - 7468.5 = 520 kW

2. A car engine produces 30 kW of power at 3000 rev/min. Calculate the torque

 The First Law of Thermodynamics.

2.1 THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEMS

In order to do energy calculations, we identify our system and draw a boundary

The nett energy transfer = nett energy change of the system.

Energy transfer into the system = E in)

Energy transfer out of system = E (out)

Nett change of energy inside system = E(in) - E (out) = E

This is the fundamental form of the FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS and it is

The rules governing non-flow systems are as follows.

 The volume of the boundary may change.

This is known as the NON-FLOW ENERGY EQUATION (N.F.E.E.)

The laws governing this type of system are as follows.

 Fluid enters and leaves through the boundary at a steady rate.

The first law becomes  + P = Nett change in energy of the fluid.

 + P = (PE)/s + (KE)/s + (H)/s

This is called the STEADY FLOW ENERGY EQUATION (S.F.E.E.)

A steam turbine is supplied with 30 kg/s of superheated steam at 80 bar and

Shaft Power = 2NT =2(3000/60) x 200 000 = 62.831 x 106 W = 62.831 MW

Thermal power supplied = H at 80 bar and 400oC

H = 30(3139) = 94170 kW = 94.17 MW

Total energy flow into turbine = 94.17 MW

Energy flow out of turbine = 94.17 MW = SP + Loss + Exhaust.

Thermal Power in exhaust = 94.17 -1.2 - 62.831 = 30.14 MW

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No.3

1. A non-flow system receives 80 kJ of heat transfer and loses 20 kJ as work