Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani

BITS F111 THERMODYNAMICS

First Semester, 2022-23 MID SEM (Open Book) Solution
Date : 05/01/2023 Max. Marks: 90 Max. Time: 90 min.
PART-A
Q.1a The temperature of a certain monoatomic gas of unknown mass contained in a rigid box falls
by 20 °C by losing five kJ of heat. What amount of heat should be transferred (kJ) to raise the
temperature of the gas by 19 °C? Solve using the first law of thermodynamics.
First Law W=0, so, 𝑚∆𝑢 = 𝑄 [1 M]
5
First case: 𝑄 = 𝑚𝐶𝑣 ∆𝑇 = 5 𝑘𝐽 ⟹ 𝑚𝐶𝑣 = 20 = 0.25 [2 M]
Second Case: 𝑄 = 𝑚𝐶𝑣 ∆𝑇 = 0.25 × (19) = 4.75 𝑘𝐽 [2 M]
Q.1b Water is contained in a rigid container at 22.12 MPa and 647.3 K. It is cooled to a pressure of
400 kPa. Calculate the final quality.
Solution:
From table A.2, for water Pc = 22.12 MPa and Tc = 647.3 K
so corresponding vc = 0.00317 m3/kg [1 M]
Rigid container, volume = constant v = vc [1 M]
From Table B.1.2,
x@400kPa = (vc-vf)/vfg = (0.00317-0.001084)/0.46138 = 0.00452 [3 M]
Q.2a A sealed steel container contains water at a temperature of 80 °C with a quality of 0.497038.
To what temperature (in °C) should it be heated so as to get saturated vapor in the final state?
Solution:
From Table B.1.1 v1 = vf +x vg =0.001029+ 0.497038 x 3.40612 = 1.694 m3/kg = v2 = vg [2 M]
From Table B.1.2 vg = 1.694 m3/kg is at 100 kPa, so temperature is 99.62 °C [3 M]
Q.2b 10 kg of R-410A at 20 °C is contained in a rigid steel pot with a volume of 0.125 m . Heat is
3

now supplied to the tank. What will happen to the level of the R-410A? Justify.
vc for R-410A = 0.00128 m3/kg, [2 M]
v = 0.0125 m /kg
3

vf <v < vg implies in the saturated liquid–vapor mixture state.

But v > vc, so due to heating, the mixed phase will convert into a saturated vapor phase. [2 M]
Therefore, the level will fall due to heating. [1 M]
Q.3a A pump increases the water pressure from 100 kPa at the inlet to 10 MPa at the outlet. Water
enters this pump at 20 °C through a 1 cm diameter opening and exits through a 2 cm diameter
at the same temperature. Determine the velocity of the water at the inlet and outlet when the
mass flow rate through the pump is 0.5 kg/s.
From Table B.1.1 v1 = 0.001002 m3/kg, [1 M]
𝜋×0.012
𝐴1 V1 ×V1
4
𝑚̇1 = 𝑣1
∴ 0.5 = 0.001002
⇒ V1 = 6.3789 𝑚/𝑠 [2
M]
Applying the continuity equation between the inlet and outlet, since the temperature is the same,
𝜋×0.022
𝐴2 V2 ×V2
4
𝑚̇1 = 𝑚̇2 = 𝑣2
0.5= 0.000997 ⇒ 𝑉2 = 1.587 m/s [2 M]
Q.3b A vertical piston-cylinder system containing a pure substance has an electric heater inside it.
The mass of the piston is 10 kg, and it is exposed to atmospheric pressure of 101 kPa. A current
of 3 A is supplied to the heater from a 300 V power supply for 5 min; as a result, the piston
moves through a distance of 0.5 m. Determine the net work transfer for the system (kJ). The
piston is frictionless, with a cross-sectional area of 0.6 m2. Comment on the nature of work.
Solution: 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 + 𝑊𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = −𝑉𝐼𝑡 + 𝑃∆𝑉 [1 M]
𝑚𝑝 𝑔 300 × 3 × 300 10 × 9.81
= −𝑉𝐼𝑡 + (𝑃0 + )×𝐴×𝑥 = − + (101 + ) × 0.6 × 0.5
𝐴 1000 0.6 × 1000
= −239.651 𝑘𝐽 [3 M]
Negative work indicates work is done on the system [1 M]
Page 1 of 4
 Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
BITS F111 THERMODYNAMICS
First Semester, 2022-23 MID SEM (Open Book) Solution
Date : 05/01/2023 Max. Marks: 90 Max. Time: 90 min.

PART-B
Q.4. A 15 m high cylinder with a cross-sectional area of 0.6 m2 contains 3 m3 of liquid water at
25 °C on top of the piston and has 1.5 kg of argon at 15 °C, with a
volume of 3 m3 below the thin insulated piston of mass 20 kg as shown
in the figure. Heat is supplied to the argon such that the piston rises
and pushes the water out over the top edge. Find a) the work done to
remove the whole water from the top of the piston (kJ), b) the heat
transfer to the argon during the process (kJ), and c) plot the process
in a P-v diagram for the argon. Assume atmospheric pressure as 101
kPa and ignore piston thickness. [20M]
Solution:
𝐴 = 0.6𝑚2 ; ℎ = 15𝑚
Cylinder-piston system; Half filled with water at 25 °C on the top of the piston:
𝑉𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 0.6 × 15 = 9𝑚3
𝑚𝑝 𝑔 𝑚𝐻2𝑂 𝑔 20 × 9.807 3 × 9.807
𝑃1 = 𝑃0 + + = 101 + +
𝐴 𝐴 0.6 × 1000 0.001003 × 0.6 × 1000
𝑃1 = 150.2147𝑘𝑃𝑎; [3M]

𝑉1 = 3𝑚3 ; 𝑇1 = 273.15 + 15 = 288.15𝐾

𝑃2 = 𝑃1 = 150.2147 𝑘𝑃𝑎; 𝑉2 = 6𝑚3 ;
𝑉2 𝑇1 6×288.15
𝑇2 = = = 576.3𝐾 [2M]
𝑉1 3
𝑚𝑝 𝑔 20×9.807
𝑉3 = 9𝑚3 ; 𝑃3 = 𝑃0 + = 101 + 0.6×1000 = 101.3269𝑘𝑃𝑎 [3M]
𝐴
𝑃1 𝑉1 𝑃3 𝑉3 150.2147×3 101.3269×9
= , = 𝑇3 = 583.1123 𝐾 [2M]
𝑇1 𝑇3 288.15 𝑇3
𝑇1 = 288.15𝐾
𝑊13 = 𝑊12 + 𝑊23 = 𝑃1 (𝑉2 − 𝑉1 ) + 0.5(𝑃2 + 𝑃3 )(𝑉3 − 𝑉2 )
= 150.2147(6 − 3) + 0.5 (150.2147 + 101.3269)(9 − 6)
𝑊13 = 450.6441 + 377.3124 = 𝟖𝟐𝟕. 𝟗𝟓𝟔𝟓 𝒌 𝑱 [4M]

For Argon; 𝐶𝑉0 = 0.312 𝑘𝐽⁄𝑘𝑔

𝑄13 = 𝑊13 + 𝑚(𝑢3 − 𝑢1 ) = 827.9565 + 1.5𝐶𝑉0 (𝑇3 − 𝑇1 )
𝑄13 = 827.9565 + 1.5 × 0.312(583.1123 − 288.15) = 827.9565 + 138.0424
𝑸𝟏𝟑 = 𝟗𝟔𝟓. 𝟗𝟗𝟖𝟗 𝒌 𝑱 [4M]

P-v diagram [2M]

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 Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
BITS F111 THERMODYNAMICS
First Semester, 2022-23 MID SEM (Open Book) Solution
Date : 05/01/2023 Max. Marks: 90 Max. Time: 90 min.
Q.5. An air conditioner supplies cold air to cold storage. Air enters the evaporator section (heat
exchanger) of the air conditioner of a cross-sectional area 200 mm x 300 mm at 101.3 kPa and
26.85 °C (state 1) with a velocity of 95 m/min. The exit velocity of air from the evaporator is 30
m/min (state 2). Refrigerant-134a at -20 °C with a quality of 30 percent (state 3) enters the
evaporator at a rate of 1.77 kg/min and leaves as saturated
vapor (state 4) at the same temperature. Determine (a) the
mass flow rate of air (kg/s), (b) the exit temperature of the air
(K), and (c) the rate of heat transfer by the air (kW). Neglect
the velocity of the refrigerant. If suitable, the property values for
air can be rounded off to the closest value to avoid interpolations
from the table. [20 M]

Solution:
The enthalpies of the R-134a at the inlet and the exit states are
𝑇3 = -20°C, 𝑥3 = 0.3
ℎ3 = ℎ𝑓3 + 𝑥3 ℎ𝑓𝑔3 = 173.74 + 0.3 × 212.34 = 237.442 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 [2M]
𝑇4 = -20°C, 𝑥4 = 1, ℎ4 = 386.08 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 [2M]
a) The volumetric flow rate of air at the evaporator inlet
95
𝑉1̇ = 𝑉1 × 𝐴 = × 0.2 × 0.3 = 0.095 𝑚3 /𝑠
60
The specific volume of air at the inlet
𝑅𝑇 0.287×300
𝑣1 = 𝑃 1 = 101.3 = 0.84995 𝑚3 /𝑘𝑔 [2M]
1
The mass flow rate of air at the inlet,
𝑉̇
𝑚̇1 = 𝑣1 = 0.11177 𝑘𝑔/𝑠 [1M]
1
b) From mass balance
For air, 𝑚̇1 = 𝑚̇2 = 𝑚̇𝑎 = 0.11177 𝑘𝑔/𝑠
For refrigerant, 𝑚̇3 = 𝑚̇4 = 𝑚̇𝑅 = 1.77𝑘𝑔/𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.0295 𝑘𝑔/𝑠
From energẏ balance 𝐸𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸̇𝑜𝑢𝑡
1 1
𝑚̇𝑎 (ℎ1 + 𝑉12 ) + 𝑚̇𝑅 ℎ3 = 𝑚̇𝑎 (ℎ2 + 𝑉22 ) + 𝑚̇𝑅 ℎ4
2 2
𝑉12 −𝑉22
𝑚̇𝑎 (ℎ1 − ℎ2 + ) = 𝑚̇𝑅 (ℎ4 − ℎ3 ) [1M]
2000
For air, from Table A 7.1
𝑇1 = 300𝐾, ℎ1 = 300.47 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 [2M]
𝑉12 − 𝑉22 𝑚̇𝑅 (ℎ3 − ℎ4 )
ℎ2 = ℎ1 + +
2000 𝑚̇𝑎
𝑉1 = 95 𝑚/ 𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1.58333 𝑚/𝑠 and 𝑉2 = 30 𝑚/𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.5 𝑚/𝑠
1.583332 −0.52 0.0295×(237.442−386.08)
ℎ2 = 300.47 + + = 261.24 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 [4M]
2000 0.11177
For air, from Table A 7.1, @ℎ2 = 261.24 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔,
𝑇2 ~ 260𝐾 = −13.15℃ [2M]
𝑉 2 −𝑉 2
c) The rate of heat transfer from air, 𝑄̇𝑎𝑖𝑟,𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑚̇𝑎 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 + 2 1 ) 2
0.52 −1.583332
= 0.11177 × (260.61 − 300.47 + ) = −4.45528 𝑘𝑊 [4M]
2000

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 Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
BITS F111 THERMODYNAMICS
First Semester, 2022-23 MID SEM (Open Book) Solution
Date : 05/01/2023 Max. Marks: 90 Max. Time: 90 min.
Q.6. An insulated cylinder is divided into two parts by an insulated frictionless piston, as
shown in the figure. Side A has 2 kg of helium at
325 K, 6.192 m3/kg. Side B has 12.55531 kg of
ammonia at -35 °C. Energy is supplied to the
ammonia through an electric heater such that
ammonia expands and slowly compresses the
helium to a pressure of 600 kPa. The
compression of helium follows a process with an
index of 1.667. Find a) the volume (m3) of helium
in the final state, b) work done by ammonia (kJ), and c) the final temperature of ammonia (°C).
If suitable, the property values for ammonia can be rounded off to the closest value to avoid interpolations
from the table. [20 M]
Solution 6:
Given: Helium (He), m = 2 kg T1 = 325 K, v1 = 6.192 m3/kg, n = 1.667, P2 = 600 kPa
Ammonia (NH3), m = 12.55531 kg, T1 = -35 oC
(1) Initial Pressure of Helium
𝑃𝑣 = 𝑅𝑇, 𝑃 ∗ 6.192 = 2.0771 ∗ 325 => 𝑃1 = 109.020914 𝑘𝑃𝑎 [3M]
(2) Final Volume of Helium
𝑃1 𝑣11.667 = 𝑃2 𝑣21.667 , 109.020914 ∗ 6.1921.667 = 600 ∗ 𝑉21.667
∴ 𝑣2 = 2.22605 m3/kg, 𝑉2 = 2 ∗ 𝑣2 = 4.4521 𝑚3 [3M]
(3) Work done on Helium
𝑃2 𝑣2 − 𝑃1 𝑣1
𝑊𝐻𝑒 = 𝑚
1−𝑛
600 ∗ 2.22605 − 109.020914 ∗ 6.192 1335.63 − 675.057499
= 2× =2×
1 − 1.667 0.667
𝑊𝐻𝑒 = −1980.727139 𝑘𝐽 [4M]
(4) Final Temperature of Ammonia
Internal energy for NH3 at -35oC is 𝑢1 = 21.93 kJ/kg. [2M]
Work done by ammonia on Helium = Work done by Helium on Ammonia
𝑊𝑁𝐻3 = 𝑊𝐻𝑒 , ∴ 1980.727139 = 𝑚 ∗ 𝛥𝑢 [1M]
1980.727139 = 12.55531 ∗ (𝑢2 − 21.93) ⇒ 𝑢2 = 179.69 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 [4M]
From the thermodynamic table for NH3, 𝑢2 corresponds to 0oC. Hence, the final
temperature of NH3 is 0oC. [3M]

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