HARARE POLYTECHNIC MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DIVISION

NATIONAL DIPLOMA: THERMODYNAMICS 539/S04 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 1:

2017

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS. EACH QUESTION CARRIES 20 MARKS.

QUESTION 1:

a. With the aid of a diagram describe the operation of a combined separating and throttling
calorimeter. (10)
b. A combined separating and throttling calorimeter was used to determine the dryness
fraction of steam flowing through a steam main at a pressure of 900kPa. The pressure and
temperature after throttling was 100kPa and 115°C, respectively. The mass of steam
condensed after throttling was 1.8kg and the mass of water collected in the separator was
0.16kg. Estimate the dryness fraction of the steam I the steam main. Take Cp for
superheated steam as 2.09kj/kg. (8)
c. State the effect of throttling steam. (2)

QUESTION 2:

In a steady-flow open system a fluid substance flows at the rate of4 kg/s. It enters the system at a
pressure of 600 kPa, a velocity of 220m/s, internal energy 2200kJ/kg and specific
volume0.42m3/kg. It leaves the system at a pressure of 150 kPa, a velocity of 145 m/s, internal
energy 1 650 kJ/kg und specific volume 1.5 m3/kg. During its passage through the system, the
substance has a loss by heat transfer of 40 kJ/kg to the surroundings.
Determine the power of the system, stating whether it is from or to the system. Neglect any
change of gravitational potential energy.
(20)
QUESTION 3:
A quantity of air has a volume of 0.15 m3 at a temperature of 120°C and a pressure of
1.2MN/m2. The air expands to a pressure of 200kN/m2 according to the law PV1.32= C.
Determine,
a. the work transfer,
b. the change of internal energy,
c. The heat transfer.