FME2 – Thermodynamics 1

TOPIC 5: PROCESSES OF FLUIDS

There are five processes involved in any system undergoing a change in a state for an ideal
gas where it can be nonflow for a closed system or steady flow for an open system, namely:

1. Isometric or Isochoric Process (𝑉 = 𝑐)

2. Isobaric or Isopiestic Process (𝑝 = 𝑐)
3. Isothermal Process (𝑇 = 𝑐)
4. Isentropic or Adiabatic Process (𝑠 = 𝑐)
5. Polytropic Process (𝑝𝑉 𝑛 = 𝑐)

Isometric Process (Isochoric Process, V = C)

Isometric process is the manner of changing the state or thermal condition of fluid at
constant volume. It could be internally reversible or internally irreversible process.

Non-Flow Closed System (Internally Reversible)

As an application of isometric process for a non-flow closed system, consider the figure
below.

o Pressure and Temperature Relations

P2 T2
=
P1 T1
Where:
P1 = initial pressure, kPaa, psia P2 = final pressure, kPaa, psia
T1 = initial absolute temperature, K, R T2 = final absolute temperature, K, R

o Work Done During the process

2
W = ∫ pdV = 0
1

o Change of Internal Energy During the Process

2
∆U = m ∫ cv dT = mcv ∆T = mcv (T2 − T1 )
1
Where:
∆U = change in internal energy during the process, kJ, Btu
kJ Btu
cv = specific heat at constant volume, ,
kg ∙ K lb ∙ R

o Heat transfer during the process

Q = ∆Es + W = ∆U + ∆PE + ∆KE + W

If ∆PE = 0, ∆KE = 0 & W = 0

Q = ∆U = mcv (T2 − T1 )
Where:
Q = heat transfer during the process, kJ, Btu
kJ Btu
cv = specific heat at constant volume, kg∙K , lb∙R
FME2 – Thermodynamics 1

o Change of Enthalpy During the Process

2
∆H = m ∫ cp dT = mcp ∆T = mcp (T2 − T1 )
1
Where:
∆H = change of enthalpy during the process, kJ, Btu
kJ Btu
cv = specific heat at constant pressure, ,
kg ∙ K lb ∙ R

o Change of Entropy during the process

2 2
dQ dT T2
∆S = ∫ = m ∫ cv = mcv ln
1 T 1 T T1

Steady Flow Open System

Consider the following analysis as an application of steady flow open system

o From the general energy equation (Energy Balance)

Q = ∆U + ∆Ef + ∆PE + ∆KE + W
Where: ∆H = ∆U + ∆Ef

Q = ∆H + ∆PE + ∆KE + W
Q − ∆H = ∆PE + ∆KE + W

o Using the other form of general energy equation (Property Relations)

2 2
∆PE + ∆KE + W = − ∫ Vdp Q − ∆H = − ∫ Vdp
1 1
If ∆PE & ∆KE = 0
2
Q = ∆H + W = ∆H − ∫ Vdp = mcp (T2 − T1 ) − V(p2 − p1 )
1
Q = mcp (T2 − T1 ) − (p2 V2 − p1 V1 ) = mcp (T2 − T1 ) − mR(T2 − T1 )
Q = m(cp − R)(T2 − T1 )
Where: R = cp − cv
Q = mcv (T2 − T1 )

Non-flow closed system (Internally Irreversible Process)

As shown in the figure below, increase in internal energy is due to the introduction of paddle
work.

Note: The process is said to be internally irreversible because the paddle work introduced
during the forward process cannot be recovered in the reversed process.
FME2 – Thermodynamics 1

Isobaric Process (P = C)
Isobaric process is an internally reversible change of state without changing the pressure
during the process.

Non-flow Closed System

As an application of isobaric process for non-flow closed system consider the figure and
analysis below.

o Relation of Temperature and Volume

T2 V2
=
T1 V1
Where: V1 = initial volume, m3 V2 = final volume, m3

o Work Done During the Process

2 2
W = ∫ pdV = p ∫ dV = p(V2 − V1 ) = p2 v2 − p1 v1 = mR(T2 − T1 )
1 1

o Change of Internal Energy During the process

2
∆U = m ∫ cv dT = mcv ∆T = mcv (T2 − T1 )
1

o Heat Transfer During the process

Q = ∆Es + W = ∆U + ∆PE + ∆KE + W
If ∆PE = 0, ∆KE = 0
Q = ∆U + W = mcv (T2 − T1 ) + mR(T2 − T1 ) = m(cv + R)(T2 − T1 )
But, cp = cv + R
Q = mcp (T2 − T1 ) = ∆H

o Change of Enthalpy during the process

2
∆H = m ∫ cp dT = mcp ∆T = mcp (T2 − T1 )
1

o Change of Entropy during the process

2 2 2
dQ dH dT T2
∆S = ∫ =∫ = m ∫ cp = mcp ln
1 T 1 T 1 T T1

Steady flow open system

As an application of isobaric process for steady flow open system, consider the following
analysis.

o From the general energy equation

Q = ∆U + ∆Ef + ∆PE + ∆KE + W
Where: ∆H = ∆U + ∆Ef
Q = ∆H + ∆PE + ∆KE + W
If ∆PE = 0, ∆KE = & W = 0
Q = ∆H = mcp (T2 − T1 )
FME2 – Thermodynamics 1

Non-flow Closed System (Internally Irreversible Process)

As an application of internally irreversible isobaric process for non-flow closed system,
consider the analysis below.

Isothermal Process (T = C)
Isothermal process is an internally reversible change of state of the system or substance
without changing the temperature.

Non-flow closed system

o Relation of pressure and volume

P2 V1 v1
= =
P1 V2 v2
3 3
Where: v1 = initial specific volume, m ⁄kg , ft ⁄lb
3 3
v2 = final specific volume, m ⁄kg , ft ⁄lb

o Work Done during the process

2 2
dV V2
W = ∫ pdV = C ∫ = Cln
1 1 V V1

V2 V2
W = p1 v1 ln = mRT1 [ln ]
V1 V1

o Change of Internal Energy during the process

2
∆U = m ∫ cv dT = mcv ∆T = mcv (T2 − T1 ) = 0
1
FME2 – Thermodynamics 1

o Heat transfer during the process

Q = ∆Es + W = ∆U + ∆PE + ∆KE + W
If ∆PE = 0, ∆KE = 0 & ∆U = 0

V2 V2
Q = W = p1 v1 ln = mRT1 [ln ]
V1 V1

o Change of Enthalpy during the process

2
∆H = m ∫ cp dT = mcp ∆T = mcp (T2 − T1 ) = 0
1

o Change of entropy during the process

2 2
dQ dW W V2
∆S = ∫ =∫ = = mR [ln ]
1 T 1 T T V1

Steady flow open system

o Using the general energy equation
Q = ∆U + ∆Ef + ∆PE + ∆KE + W
Where: ∆H = ∆U + ∆Ef
Q = ∆H + ∆PE + ∆KE + W
If ∆PE = 0, ∆KE = & ∆H = 0
V2 V2
Q = W = p1 v1 ln = mRT1 [ln ]
V1 V1
FME2 – Thermodynamics 1

Sample Problems

Isometric Process
1. A scuba tank contains 1.5kg of air. The air in the tank is initially at 15°C. The tank is
left near an engine exhaust line, and the tank’s pressure doubles. Determine a) final
temperature; b) the change in internal energy and c) the heat added.

2. There are 1.36kg of air at 138kPaa stirred with internal paddles in an insulated rigid
container, whose volume is 142 liter, until the pressure becomes 690 kPaa. Determine
a) the work input, b) ∆(pV), c) ∆Ef, and d) Q.
FME2 – Thermodynamics 1

Isobaric Process
3. Consider that 1 kg of air has a decrease of internal energy of 21.7kJ while its
temperature is reduced to one third of the initial temperature during a reversible
non-flow constant pressure process. Determine a) initial and final temperature, b) Q,
c) W, and d) ∆S.
FME2 – Thermodynamics 1

4. Assume 0.9kg of hydrogen simultaneously reject heat and receive paddle work input
in a non-flow change of state at constant pressure from initial temperature of 21°C to
a final temperature of 32.2°C. If the heat rejected is thrice the paddle work, determine
a) ∆U, ∆H and ∆S for the system, b) Q and c) Wnet.