Expansion of A Gas in A Vacuum

Thermodynamics Lab
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING,

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY,
ISLAMABAD.
THERMODYNAMICS LAB REPORT

Name Registration # Section Sub-Group
Waleed Nasir 394281s ME-13C B
Experiment # 9: Expansion of Gas into Vacuum.

Objective:
To observe expansion of a gas into vacuum.
Apparatus:
Expansion Process of a Perfect Gas Unit.
Methodology:
In this experiment, the air in the vessel D1 at atmospheric pressure is subjected to an expansion
in the vessel D2 under vacuum.
1. Close valve V3, V5, V6, V8.
2. Open valve V1, V2, V4, V7.
3. Switch on pump P1.
4. When the pressure in D2 is at the desired value, switch off pump P1 and close valve V1 and
V7.
5. When the pressure indicators indicates stationary pressures, record the value of pressure and
of temperature in the vessel D1 and D2.
6. Open valve V5.
7. Observe the decreasing of temperature in D1 due to the expansion and the increasing of
temperature in D2 due to the compression
Observations:
Temperature (oC) Pressure (bar)
Ti,D1 Ti,D2 Tf Pi,D1 Pi,D2 Pf
After 26.4 23.3 - - 0.402 -
switching on
pump 1
After 26.3 25.8 - 0.956 - -
switching off
pump 1
Opening of V5 Temperature Temperature - - - 0.772
decrease increase
Thermodynamics Lab
Discussion:
The purpose of the experiment was to examine how gases behave during adiabatic expansion in
relation to atmospheric pressure. The experimental setup utilized four valves, namely V3, V5, V6,
and V8, to control the gas flow and ensure precise measurements of pressure and temperature. V5
and V6 were closed to prevent air from entering D2, while V3 was closed to create a vacuum in D2
using V4 and obtain a pressure reading. V8 remained closed to establish a vacuum inside D2.
To initiate the experiment, the pump was activated, resulting in a decrease in pressure within D2.
The initial measurements of pressure and temperature in D2 were recorded as 0.402 bar and 23.3°C,
respectively, while the temperature in D1 was 26.4°C. After shutting off the pump and valves V1 and
V7, the pressure inside D1 stabilized at 0.956 bar. Finally, V5 was opened to allow gas expansion,
and the final readings of temperature and pressure were taken.
Precise control of the valves and pump was crucial for obtaining accurate results. The closure of V5
and V6 prevented interference from air, while V8 created a vacuum in D2, which was vital for the
success of the experiment. The changes in temperature and pressure observed during the experiment
can be explained by the ideal gas law and the first law of thermodynamics. These laws describe the
relationship between temperature, pressure, volume, and energy in gases and offer valuable insights
into gas behavior and properties.
The results of the experiment revealed that the irreversible process had a higher gamma value (1.28)
due to frequent collisions and energy transfer resulting from rapid pressure changes. However, it is
important to note that the theoretical value of gamma is 1.4, which is only achieved when all losses
in pipes, fittings, and vessels are disregarded, and the gas is assumed to be a perfect gas. Therefore,
our experiment did not meet these conditions.
Overall, the experiment yielded valuable insights into the behavior of gases during adiabatic
expansion and their relationship with atmospheric pressure. These findings contribute to a better
understanding of thermodynamics and its practical applications.
Conclusion:
Upon activating the pump, an immediate effect is the generation of a vacuum within the
chamber, resulting in a reduction of pressure. Subsequently, when valve V5 is opened to connect
the expansion chamber (D2) with the supply chamber (D1), the pressure inside D2 rises due to
the heightened kinetic energy of gas molecules. This increase in D2 pressure subsequently
induces a rise in temperature while causing a simultaneous decrease in temperature within the
expansion chamber.
The observed alterations in temperature and pressure throughout the experiment can be
comprehended by applying fundamental principles of thermodynamics, particularly the ideal gas
law and the first law of thermodynamics. The ideal gas law establishes a correlation among the
variables of temperature, pressure, and volume in a gas

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Thermodynamics Lab

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING,

THERMODYNAMICS LAB REPORT

Experiment # 9: Expansion of Gas into Vacuum.

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