CHAPTER 4

ENERGY BALANCE

4.1 INTRODUCTION

In the process plant, the energy balance is calculated as the flow of the stream is change due to
the temperature and pressure of the process. According to The First Law of Thermodynamic,
energy cannot be created or destroyed, only modified in form as the internal energy is equal to
the heat supply to the system minus the work shaft to the system (Ronald W.Rousseau, 2000).
An integral energy balance may be derived for a closed system between two instants of
time. Since energy can neither be created nor destroyed, the generation and consumption terms
of the general balance (4.1-1) drop out, leaving Equation 4.1-2(Ronald W.Rousseau, 2000).

Input + generation - output - consumption = accumulation

(enters through (produced (leaves through (consumed (buildup
system within system within within
boundaries) system) boundries) system) system)

(4.1-1)
Accumulation = input output (4.1-2)

In deriving the integral mass balance for a closed system, the input and output terms was
eliminated, since by definition no mass crosses the boundaries of a closed system. It is possible,
however, for energy to be transferred across the boundaries as heat or work, so that the right
side of Equation 4.1-2 may not be eliminated automatically. As with mass balances, however, the
accumulation term equals the final value of the balanced quantity minus the initial value of this
quantity (Ronald W.Rousseau, 2000). Equation 4.1-2 may therefore be written
Final system initial system net energy transferred to
energy energy = the system (in- out) (4.1.3)

Now

Initial system energy = Ui + Eki + Epi

Final system energy = Uf +Ekf + Epf

Energy transferred = Q-W

Where the subscripts I and f refer to the initial and final states of the system and U, E k, Ep, Q and
W represent internal energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, heat transferred to the system from
its surrounding, and work done by the system on its surroundings(Ronald W.Rousseau, 2000).
Equation 4.1-3 then becomes
(Uf - Ui ) + (Ekf - Eki) + (Epf - Epi) = Q-W (4.1-4)

Thus, Q Ws H Ek Ep (4.1-5)

4.2 METHOD OF CALCULATION

4.2.1 Assumptions in Calculations

I. The system is an open system at steady state, d/dt=0

II. There are no moving parts in the system, Ek can be neglected.

III. No shaft work in the system, thus Ws can be neglected.

IV. All streams enter and leave the process at a single height, Ep can be
neglected.
V. Since the effect of pressure different to the energy balance in the process gives
a very small value as compared to the values contributes by the sensible heat
and the heat of formation, heat obtained from the pressure difference is

assumed to be negligible, P = 0.
4.2.2 Equations Used in Calculations

4.2.2.1 General Equations

Q Ws H Ek Ep (4.2.2-1)

Kinetic energy and potential energy can be neglected since there are no moving parts
in the system; the position of the system is in the same stream as the potential energy,
no work shaft to the system and no work done by the system.

Based on the assumptions stated above,

Ws 0, Ek 0, Ep 0

Hence, equation 4.2.2-1 can be reduced to

Q H

4.2.2.2 Equation for Reactive Process

Calculate H for the reactor. For both single and multiple reactions, the formula is;

H = nout Hout - ninHin (4.2.2-2)

4.2.2.3 Equation for Non-Reactive Process

Change in temperature at constant pressure.

H= ref
CP (T) dT (4.2.2-3)

4.2.2.4 Equation for Process with Phase Changes

Hi = [ ref
Cp(l) dT + Hv + ref
Cp(v) dT (4.2.2-4)
 CP (T) dT

4.2.2.5 Equation for Heat Capacity, Cp

Cp =a + bT + T 2 +dT 3 (4.2.2-5)

Hence for sensible heat,

ref
CP dT CP (T) dT CP (T) dT
CP (T) dT CP (T) dT

CP (T) dT
CP (T) dT
 Hence for sensible heat,

TTref Cp dT T
T
ref a bT cT 2 3
dT eT
4
dT

2 3 4 5 T
bT cT dT eT
= aT

2 3 4 5 T
ref

Also
2 3 4
abTcT dT eT

Where R, gas constant= 8.314 kJ/kmol.K

Therefore,
1 C p dT abTcT2dT3eT4dT
T
eT 5
2 3 4
bT cT dT
= aT R

2 3 4 5 T

(b) For component in liquid phase

2 2
C C C C
C p C1
3
sinh 3
C4
5
cosh 5

T T T T
T

H
Tref C p(l ) dT
6.2.2.6 Total Heat for the Energy Balance (for Non-reactive Process):

H i(H H )
TotalOutlet stream Inlet stream
i1

6.2.3 REFERENCE CONDITIONS

Tref = 25C @ 298 K

Pref = 1 atm
 Therefore, when T = Tref there will be no sensible heat. Hence the sensible heat of the
substances in standard condition = 0. All the heat capacities data was taken from the
o
table source in the basis of reference state at 25 C.

6.3 CALCULATIONS ON ENERGY BALANCE

Table 6.1.1: Heat Capacity of the Components (Ronald W.Rousseau, 2000).

a b c d

Ethylene

Hydrogen

Carbon
monoxide

Ethane
References

Ronald W.Rousseau, R. (2000). Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes. Third Avenue,

New York: John Wiley & Sons.