MAE211 Thermodynamics - Midterm (Spring 2015)

2015/04/22, 09:00 am - 10:15 am (total 5 problems during 75 min)

Problem 1 (20 points)

Density of air is a function of pressure and temperature. However, we can use the perfect gas
relation without noticeable error in usual conditions, where gas constant R is given from the
universal gas constant, R̄ = 8.314 kJ/kmol·K and molar mass of air, M̄ = 28.97 kg/kmol.
Generally, Cp and Cv , are functions of temperature. And additionally, we can show that Cp is
given as a constant value of 7R/2 for reasonably wide range of temperatures near the room
temperature.
(a) (5 points) Explain why the heat required to increase the temperature of a unit mass of
a gas system in a constant volume container is different from the heat required to increase
the temperature of a unit mass of a gas system which expands or compresses at the constant
pressure. And show that the difference would be equal to R.
(b) (5 points) Discuss why we use Cp (not Cv ) when we calculate the amount of heat necessary
to increase the temperature of room air in reality.
(c) (5 points) Determine the amount of mass of air in the room of V = 8 × 10 × 3 m3 in the
standard atmospheric pressure of 101.3 kPa and 20◦ C.
(d) (5 points) Determine the heat transfer to increase the room temperature from 0 to 20◦ C.

Problem 2 (20 points)

An air gun is working in the outer space (vacuum). The

piston in the gun moved from an initial state-1 (of 100
kPa and 4-liters) to the state-2 (of 1-liter) maintaining a
constant temperature of 300 K. During this process the
bullet was fixed without air leak. Then the bullet was re-
leased through a tube (of another 1-liter volume) without
air leak or friction. This process 2-3 was described as a
polytrophic process of P V 2 = constant.
(a) (5 points) Quantitatively draw the process 1-2 in P -V
diagram and determine the boundary work to the air.
(b) (5 points) Quantitatively draw the process 2-3 in P -
V diagram and determine the boundary work from the
air.
(c) (5 points) Determine the air temperature at the final
state-3.
(d) (5 points) Determine the velocity of the 0.2 kg bullet
at the final state-3.

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Problem 3 (20 points)
Two air flows are combined to a single flow. Flow one is V̇1 = 1 m3 /s at 300 K and the other is
V̇2 = 2 m3 /s at 600 K both at 100 kPa. They mix to produce an exit flow at 100 kPa. Neglect
kinetic energies, and assume the constant specific heat of Cv = 0.718 kJ/kg·K.
(a) (10 points) If the exit temperature is 400 K, what would be the heat transfer rate during
the mixing process? Clearly show the direction of heat transfer.
(b) (10 points) If you want to make the exit temperature of 450 K, how would you adjust V̇2 ?
Other conditions are fixed, and the heat transfer rate remains the same as part (a).

Problem 4 (20 points)

A tank having a volume of 1 m3 initially contains water as a saturated liquid-vapor mixture
at 200◦ C and a quality of 0.8. Saturated water vapor at 200◦ C is slowly withdrawn through
a pressure-regulating valve at the top of the tank while heat transfer occurs to maintain the
pressure constant in the tank. This continues until the tank is filled with only saturated vapor
at 200◦ C. Neglect all kinetic and potential energy effect.
(a) (10 points) Determine the mass of saturated water vapor withdrawn from the tank.
(b) (10 points) Determine the amount of the heat transfer.

Problem 5 (20 points)

Let us consider a Carnot cycle, and, for convenience, let us simplify the discussion by imagining
a piston and cylinder device with ideal gas with gas constant R as working medium.
(a) (5 points) Draw P -v diagram for a Carnot cycle, denoting the state of the lowest volume
condition as point 1, and then proceeding to state point 2, 3, and 4 in the direction of work
production cycle. Mark the constant temperature lines (T1 = T2 = TH , and T3 = T4 = TL ) and
two adiabatic process lines.
(b) (5 points) Write energy balance equations for each process (1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4-1), by
noting that u2 = u1 , u4 = u3 , q2−3 = q4−1 = 0.
(c) (5 points) Show w1−2 and w3−4 in terms of R, T , and v, and w2−3 and w4−1 in terms of Cv
and T , and show that w2−3 = −w4−1 .
(d) (5 points) Write a relation for efficiency of a cycle, defined as η = Wnet /QH , when
QH = q1−2 , QL = −q3−4 , and Wnet = w1−2 + w3−4 . Show that the efficiency of the cycle
becomes η = 1 − TL /TH , by noting that v1 /v2 = v4 /v3 .