ME 201

Thermodynamics
Solutions to Cycle Practice Problems

1. Given a Rankine cycle with reheat operating with the following conditions:

Boiler Exit Conditions: 10 MPa, 600°C, and 7 kg/s

Reheat Leg Exit Conditions: 1.6 MPa and 600°C
Condenser Operating Pressure: 50 kPa

You may assume all devices are ideal. Determine the power output, heat transfer rate input required,
and thermal efficiency of the plant.
Solution:
We follow our cycle analysis procedure and begin with a block diagram of the system.

Boiler Turb #1
4

Reheater

Turb #2

6
2

1
Pump Condenser

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ME 201 Thermodynamics

Now setting up our table and entering our operating information.

Node T(°°C) P(kPa) Fluid Phase h(kJ/kg) s(kJ/kg⋅⋅K) & (kg/s)

m
1 81.32 50 sat.liq. 340.54 1.0912 7
2 81.92 10,000 sub.liq. 350.96 1.0912 7
3 600 10,000 sup.vap. 3625.8 6.9045 7
4 304.89 1600 sup.vap. 3046.23 6.9045 7
5 600 1600 sup.vap. 3693.2 7.8101 7
6 123.33 50 sup.vap 2728.04 7.8101 7
Italicized values are from steam tables. Bold values are calculated

We note that the state at nodes 1, 3, and 5 are fixed, so we may go to the steam tables and obtain the
remaining properties at these nodes.

Now traversing the cycle

1-2 Pump (isentropic)

s2 = s1 =1.0912 kJ/(kg⋅K)
This fixes state 2, so that the remaining properties can be obtained from the steam tables.

3-4 Turbine (isentropic)

s4 = s3 = 6.9045 kJ/(kg⋅K)
This fixes state 4, so that the remaining properties can be obtained from the steam tables.

5-6 Turbine (isentropic)

s6 = s5 = 7.8101 kJ/(kg⋅K)
This fixes state 6, so that the remaining properties can be obtained from the steam tables.

We now evaluate our plant performance.

net = m
& (h1 - h 2 ) + m
& (h 3 - h 4 ) + m
&
W & (h 5 - h 6 )
= (7)(340.54 - 350.96) + (7)(3625.8 - 3046.23) + (7)(3693.2 - 2728.04)
= 10.74 MW
The heat transfer rate in is given by
Q& =m & (h 3 - h 2 ) + m
& (h 5 - h 4 )
in
= (7)(3625.8 - 350.96) + (7)(3693.2 - 3046.23)
= 27.45 MW
The thermal efficiency is then
W& 10.74
η th = net = = 0.3913
&
Q 27.45
in

2. Given a Rankine cycle with two open feedwater heaters operating as follows:

Boiler Exit Conditions: 15 MPa, 500°C, and 15 kg/s

Condenser Operating Pressure: 100 kPa
Open Feedwater Heater #1 Operating Pressure: 1.0 MPa
Open Feedwater Heater #2 Operating Pressure: 500 kPa

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ME 201 Thermodynamics

You may assume all devices are ideal. Determine

a. mass flow rate of steam into OFWH #1

b. mass flow rate of steam into OFWH #2
c. heat transfer rate rejected by condenser
b. thermal efficiency of plant
Solution:
We start with our sketch of the system
7

Boiler Turbine

10
6

5 4 3 2 1
Pump OFWH Pump OFWH P ump
Condenser
#3 #2 #2 #1 #1

We set up our table and enter our operating information

Node T(°C) P(kPa) Fluid Phase h(kJ/kg) s(kJ/kg⋅K) & (kg/s)
m
1 99.61 100 sat.liq. 417.51 1.3028 12.63
2 99.61 500 sub.liq. 417.93 1.3028 12.63
3 151.83 500 sat.liq. 640.09 1.8604 14.1
4 151.83 1000 sub.liq. 640.64 1.8604 14.1
5 179.88 1000 sat.liq. 762.51 2.1381 15
6 181.85 15,000 comp.liq. 778.42 2.1381 15
7 500 15,000 sup.vap. 3310.8 6.3480 15
2 phase w/
8 179.88 1000 2669.74 6.3480 0.90
x8=0.947
2 phase w/ 6.3480
9 151.83 500 2547.20 1.47
x9=0.905
2 phase w/ 6.3480
10 99.61 100 2298.18 12.63
x10=0.833
Italicized values are from steam tables. Bold values are calculated

We note that the state at nodes 1, 3, 5, and 7 are fixed, so we may go to the steam tables and obtain the
remaining properties at these nodes.

Now traversing the cycle

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ME 201 Thermodynamics

1-2 Pump (isentropic)

s2 = s1 = 1.3028 kJ/kg⋅K
This fixes state 2, but since the pressure is less than 5 MPa we will use our incompressible substance
model and
T2 = T1 = 99.64°C (since ∆s=0 and we have an incompressible substance)
h2 = hf(at T2) + vf(at T2)[P2-Psat(at T2)] = 417.51 + (0.001043)(500-100) = 417.93 kJ/kg
3-4 Pump (isentropic)
s4 = s3 = 1.8604 kJ/kg⋅K
This fixes state 4, but since the pressure is less than 5 MPa we will use our incompressible substance
model and
T4 = T3 = 151.83°C (since ∆s=0 and we have an incompressible substance)
h4 = hf(at T4) + vf(at T4)[P2-Psat(at T4)] = 640.09 + (0.001093)(1000-500) = 640.64 kJ/kg
5-6 Pump (isentropic)
s6 = s5 = 2.1381 kJ/kg⋅K
This fixes state 6, and since the pressure is greater than 5 MPa, we can use the compressed liquid
tables to obtain the remaining properties.
7-8 Turbine (isentropic)
s8 = s7 = 6.3480 kJ/kg⋅K
This fixes state 8.
7-9 Turbine (isentropic)
s9 = s7 = 6.3480 kJ/kg⋅K
This fixes state 9.
7-10 Turbine (isentropic)
s10 = s7 = 6.3480 kJ/kg⋅K
This fixes state 10.

Next we determine the mass flow rates. Starting with our highest pressure OFWH (which is always the
way to go), we have
h − h4 762.51 − 640.64
m&8 =m &5 5 = (15) = 0.901kg / s
h8 − h 4 2669.74 − 640.64
and
m&3 =m &4 =m & 5 −m & 8 = 15 − 0.901 = 14.1kg / s
Moving on to our next OFWH, we have
h − h2 640.09 − 417.93
m&9 =m &3 3 = (14.1) = 1.47 kg / s
h9 − h 2 2547.2 − 417.93
and
m& 10 = m&1=m &2 =m & 3 −m & 8 = 14.1 − 1.47 = 12.63kg / s
We now evaluate our plant performance.
cond = m& 10 (h1 − h10 ) = (12.63)(417.51 − 2298.18) = −23.75MW
Q&
The plant thermal efficiency is given by
turb + Wp1 + Wp 2 + Wp 3
&
W &
W & & &
η th = net =
Q& &
Q
H boil
where
Wturb = m
& 7h 7 − m
& 8h8 − m
& 9h 9 − m
& 10 h10
= (15)(3310.8) + (0.90)(2669.74) − (1.47)(2547.2) − (12.63)(2298.18) = 14.49MW

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ME 201 Thermodynamics

Wp1 = m
& 1 (h1 − h 2 ) = (12.63)(417.51 − 417.93) = −0.005MW
Wp 2 = m
& 3 (h 3 − h 4 ) = (14.1)(640.09 − 640.64) = −0.008MW
Wp3 = m & 5 (h 5 − h 6 ) = (15)(762.51 − 778.42) = −0.024MW
boil = m& 6 (h 7 − h 6 ) = (15)(3310.8 − 778.42) = 37.99MW
&
Q
14.49 − 0.005 − 0.008 − 0.024
η th = = 0.38
37.99

3. A four cylinder internal combustion engine operates on an ideal Otto cycle with a compression ratio
of eight and a displacement volume of 0.3 liters. At the beginning of the compression process, air is
at 27°C and 95 kPa, and 750 kJ/kg of heat is transferred to the air during the constant volume
heating process. Determine

a. net work output

b. thermal efficiency
c. mean effective pressure
Solution:
We begin by making the calculations for our VBDC and VTDC. We first calculate our displacement
volume per cylinder
( )
Vdisp engine 3 × 10 - 4
(
Vdisp )
cyl
=
N cyl
=
4
= 7.5 x 10 - 5 m 3

Next we use
(
Vdisp )
cyl
= VTDC - VTDC
and
VBDC
r=
VTDC
To obtain
(Vdisp )cyl (7.5 x 10 - 5 )
VTDC = = = 1.071 x 10 - 5 m 3
(r - 1) (8 - 1)
and
VBDC = r ⋅ VTDC = (8)(1.071 x 10 -5 ) = 8.574 x 10 -5 m 3
Next we calculate the mass in the cylinder with
P V (95)(8.574 x 10 -5 )
m= 1 1 = = 9.4574 x 10 - 5 kg
RT1 (0.287)(300)
This allows us to calculate the specific volumes at all our states using
V
v=
m

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ME 201 Thermodynamics

We now layout our block diagram for the cycle.

Isentropic
Compression
1 2

Const. Vol. Const. Vol.

Cooling Heating

4 Isentropic 3
Expansion
Next we set up our node table.

Node T(K) P(kPa) v(m3/kg) V(m3) u(kJ/kg) vr

1 300 95 0.9066 8.574 x 10-5 214.07 621.2
2 673.1 1706 0.1132 1.071 x 10-5 491.22 77.65
3 1538.7 3145.7 0.1132 1.071 x 10-5 1241.2 6.588
4 774.5 245.2 0.9066 8.574 x 10-5 571.72 52.70
Italicized values are from air tables or ideal gas law. Bold values are calculated

We enter our operating information on the tables.

For state 1 we have two properties, so the state is fixed and we can go to the air tables and find
u1 = 214.07 kJ/kg and vr1 = 621.2
Now traversing the cycle
1-2 Isentropic Compression
v r 2 V2 1
= =
v r1 V1 r
Then
v 621.2
v r 2 = r1 = = 77.65
r 8
so we can go to the air tables and find
u2 = 491.22 kJ/kg and T2 = 673.1 K
The pressure can be calculated from the ideal gas law
mRT2 (9.4574 x 10 -5 )(0.287)(673.1)
P2 = = = 8233 kPa
V2 (1.071× 10 − 5 )
2-3 Constant Volume Heating
Since we are given the heat transfer, we will use the 1st law to determine the internal energy at state 3
u3 = u2 + q = 491.22 + 750 = 1241.2 kJ/kg
This fixes our state, so we can go to the air tables and find
vr3 = 6.588 kJ/kg and T3 = 1538.7 K
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ME 201 Thermodynamics

The pressure can be calculated from the ideal gas law

mRT3 (9.4574 x 10 -5 )(0.287)(1538.7)
P3 = = = 3145.7 kPa
V3 (1.071 x 10 − 5 )
3-4 Isentropic expansion
Again we can use the vr approach processes, hence
v 3 V3 v r3
= =
v 4 V4 v r3
so that
V 
v r4 = v r3  3  = (6.588)(8) = 52.70
 V4 
Interpolating from the air tables we get
T4 = 774.5 K and u4 = 571.72 kJ/kg
and from the ideal gas equation
mRT4 (9.4574 x 10 -5 )(0.287)(774.5)
P4 = = = 245.2 kPa
V4 (8.574 x 10 − 5 )
Only the isentropic processes have work, so that
The engine thermal efficiency is given by
Wnet = N cylinders (W1- 2 + W3 - 4 )
where
W1- 2 = m(u1 - u 2 ) = (9.4574 x 10 -5 )(214.07 - 491.22) = - 0.02621 kJ
W3 - 4 = m(u 3 - u 4 ) = (9.4574 x 10 -5 )(1241.2 - 571.72) = 0.06332 kJ
and
Wnet = 4[ (-0.02621) + (0.06332)] = 0.1484 kJ
For the heat in we have
Q in = Q 2 - 3 = m(u 3 - u 2 ) = (9.4574 x 10 -5 )(1241.2 − 491.22) = 0.07093 kJ
Then
W 0.03711
η th = net = = 0.523
Q in 0.07093
The engine MEP is given by
(Wnet )cyl 0.03711
MEP =
(
Vdisp )cyl
=
7.5 × 10 -5
= 495 kPa

4. A single cylinder internal combustion engine operates on an ideal Diesel cycle with a compression
ratio of 16, a cutoff ratio of 2, and a displacement volume of 0.3 liters. At the beginning of the
compression process, air is at 27°C and 95 kPa. Determine

a. net work output

b. thermal efficiency
c. mean effective pressure
d. maximum temperature in the engine
f. Carnot cycle efficiency of the engine

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ME 201 Thermodynamics

Solution:
We begin with our block diagram

Isentropic
Compression
1 2

Const. Vol. Const. Pres.

Cooling Heating

4 Isentropic 3
Expansion

Next we solve for our volumes. We have

V
r = BDC
VTDC
Vdisp = VBDC - VTDC
Vint
rc =
VTDC
Solving for the bottom dead center volume from the compression ratio
VBDC = rVTDC
and substituting into the displacement volume equation
Vdisp = rVTDC - VTDC = VTDC (1 - r)
so that
Vdisp 0.3 x 10-3
VTDC = = = 2.0 x 10-5 m 3
(1 - r) 16 - 1
and
VBDC = (16)(2.0 x 10-5 ) = 3.2 x 10-4 m 3
The volume at state 3 (following the constant pressure heating) is obtained from the cutoff ratio
V3 = rc VTDC = (2)(2.0 x 10-5 ) = 4. 0 x 10-5 m 3
At state 1 we can calculate the specific volume
RT (0.287)(300)
v1 = 1 = = 0.9063 m 3 /kg
P1 95
The mass in the cylinder can now be determined from
V 3.2 x 10-4
m = BDC = = 3.531 x 10 - 4 kg
v1 0.9063

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ME 201 Thermodynamics

The reaming specific volumes can be calculated from

V
v=
m
We now set up out table and enter our operating information. We will use our air tables for this problem
State T(K) P(kPa) v(m3/kg) V(m3) u(kJ/kg) vr
-4
1 300 95 0.9063 3.2 x 10 214.07 621.2
-5
2 862.6 4374 0.0566 2.0 x 10 643.54 38.795
3 1727 4374 0.1133 4.0 x 10-5 1418.13 4.5294
4 883.3 280 0.9063 3.2 x 10-4 660.70 36.2296
Italicized values from ideal gas relations. Bold values calculated.
Since state at node 1 is fixed the u and vr can then be read from the air tables.

Now we traverse the cycle.

1-2 Isentropic Compression
Our isentropic condition gives
 v2  v 
  =  r2 
 v1 isentropic  v r1 
Solving for vr2
v   0.0566 
v r2 = v r1  2  = (621.2)   = 38.795
 v1   0.9063 
Going to the air tables and reading down the vr column we find
T2 = 862.6 K and u2 = 643.54 kJ/kg
and using the ideal gas law
RT2 (0.287)(862.6)
P2 = = = 4374 kPa
v2 0.0566
2-3 Constant Pressure Heating
P3 = P2 = 4374 kPa
The ideal gas law gives
v P (0.1133)(4374)
T3 = 3 3 = = 1727 K
R 0.287
and the temperature is calculated from the ideal gas law. From the air tables
u3 = 1418.13 kJ/kg and vr3 = 4.5294
3-4 Isentropic Expansion
Applying our isentropic condition
v   0.9063 
v r4 = v r3  4  = (4.5294)   = 36.2296
 v3   0.1133 
From the air tables we find
T4 = 883.3 K and u4 = 660.70 kJ/kg
and using the ideal gas law
RT4 (0.287)(883.3)
P4 = = = 280 kPa
v4 0.9063

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ME 201 Thermodynamics

Now evaluating our engine performance, we note that only the constant volume cooling process does not
have any work. Then
Wnet = W1-2 + W2-3 + W3-4
Since processes 1-2 and 3-4 are isentropic they are also adiabatic (Q=0), so that the work can be
obtained form the 1st law, or
W1-2 = m(u1-u2) = (3.531 x 10-4)(214.07-643.54) = -0.1516 kJ
W3-4 = m(u3-u4) = (3.531 x 10-4)(1418.13-660.70) = 0.2674 kJ
The work for process 2-3 will be the boundary work for an isobaric process or
W2-3 = P2(V3-V2) = (4374)(4.0 x 10-5-2.0 x 10-5) = 0.0875 kJ
so that the net work becomes 0.2033 kJ. To calculate the thermal efficiency, we need to know the heat
added. Heat addition occurs only for process 2-3, so from the first law
Q2-3 = m(u3-u2) + W2-3 = (3.531 x 10-4)(1418.13-643.54) + 0.0875 = 0.3610 kJ
The thermal efficiency is then
W 0.2033
ηth = net = = 0.563 or 56.3%
Qin 0.3610
The mean effective pressure is
W 0.2033
MEP = net = = 678 kPa
Vdisp 3 x 10- 4
The maximum temperature is 1727 K. The Carnot efficiency is given as
T 300
ηCarnot = 1 - L = 1 - = 0.826
TH 1727

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