CBE501

Dr. David (Qiang) WANG

Homework #2
1. (15 points) Prove the following:
(1) A reversible engine must have greater efficiency than an irreversible engine working with
the same heat reservoirs.
(2) The efficiency of a reversible engine must depend on both A and B.
(3) Two curves representing reversible, adiabatic processes on a P-V diagram cannot intersect.
2. (5 points) For the heat engine given below, show that
1 1
W
S universe E QH 0, and the equal sign is taken for a reversible heat engine.
TC
TC TH

TH
QH

WE
E

QC
TC

3. (5 points) Given the following EOS for van der Waals fluids:
RT
a
a
P
2 and u cRT , where a, b, and c are constants , derive the fundamental
v b v
v
equation.

4. (5 points) A steady-flow adiabatic turbine accepts gas at T1500 K and P16 bar, and
discharges at T2371 K and P21.2 bar. Assuming ideal gases, determine (per mole of gas)
Wideal and SG (5163 J, 4.698 J/K). Take T300 K and CP3.5R.
5. (P4.6, 25 points) Consider the emergency diverting system consisting of the valve A, the
insulated 4m3 tank C and the safety valve D as shown in the figure. When it operates, valve B
is shut and A is opened, diverting the helium into the initially evacuated tank C. When the
pressure in C rises to 2.8 bar, safety valve D operates, venting gas to the atmosphere. Assume
that helium is an ideal gas with CV12.6 J/(mol K), and that it is well mixed when entering C
but has negligible heat transfer with the tank walls.
(a) When the valve A is opened, how long does it take before the pressure in C increases to
2.8 bar and D opens? (21.6 s)

CBE501

Dr. David (Qiang) WANG

(b) When the safety valve D operates, a constant mass of gas in C is maintained. What are the
temperature and pressure in C 10 seconds after D opens? (391.8 K, 2.2105 Pa)
(c) What is the total entropy change of the gas, the surroundings, and the universe during the
time between the opening of valve A and just prior to the opening of safety valve D?
(Sgas 4.93103 J/K)
(d) What is the total entropy change of the gas, the surroundings, and the universe during the
time between the opening of D and 10 seconds later? The vented gas mixes with an
infinite amount of air exterior to the tank and cools to 300 K. Leave the entropy change of
mixing as an undetermined constant. (Sgas 813.62020 J/K, Senv 1203 J/K)

6. (P4.16, 35 points) An evacuated tank of V1 m3 is attached to the exhaust of an air-turbinedriven grinding wheel. Air at P01 bar and the surrounding temperature T0300 K will be
allowed to enter the turbine inlet, while the pressure drop between P0 and the tank serves to
operate the turbine-driven grinder. When the pressure in the originally evacuated tank has
risen to P0, the turbine, of course, stops.
(a) Assuming the turbine operates in a reversible manner, how many kilowatt-hours of work
may be obtained up to the time the pressure in the tank has risen to P0? Consider four
cases: (1) tank is adiabatic, turbine is isothermal; (2) tank is adiabatic, turbine is adiabatic;
(3) tank is diathermal, turbine is adiabatic; (4) tank is diathermal, turbine is isothermal.
The ideal-gas law may be assumed with CP/CV=1.4 and R8.3 J/(mol K).
(b) Determine the air temperature in the tank at the end of the filling process, the entropy
change of the universe, and the heat interaction with the environment for the cases noted
in (a).

CBE501

Dr. David (Qiang) WANG

N0P0V/RT0
7. (P4.18, 10 points) Two large gas storage spheres A and B (each of 0.1 m3) each contain air at
2 bar. They are connected across a small reversible compressor. The tanks, connecting lines,
and compressor are immersed in a constant temperature bath at 280 K. The compressor will
take suction from the B sphere, compress the gas, and discharge to the A sphere. Heat transfer
between the bath and the tanks, lines and compressor is excellent. Assume that air is an ideal
gas with CP29.3 J/(mol K).
(a) What is the work requirement to compress the gas in A to 3 bar? (5.23103 J)
(b) What is the heat interaction with the constant-temperature bath?