Steady Flow Energy Equation (S.F.E.E.

)
and its applications.
 Definition
 Steady Flow: A flow is said to be steady flow
if the properties don’t vary with respect to time.
Such a flow can be visualized when a mass
entering and leaving is same.

 Steady Flow Energy Equation: Steady

Flow Energy Equation is simply the
mathematical equation that states that for
a steady flow the mass flow rate into a control
volume is equal to the mass flow rate out of the
control volume.
 Steady Flow Energy Equation
As per the law of conservation of energy,

Energy at Inlet = Energy at Outlet

dQ
m {Energy carried into the system} + m {Flow work} + =
dt
dW
m {Energy carried out of the system} + m {Flow work} +
dt
In general,
1 1
m{ C1 + gZ1+ h1}+ Q = m{ C22 + gZ2 + h2 }+ W
2
2 2
where,
m= mass
C1 & C2= Velocity of the fluid at inlet and outlet resp.
Z1 & Z2= Distance of the entrance and exit section from reference
h1 & h2= Enthalpy of the system.
dW
W= = Rate of work done
dt
dQ
Q= = Rate of heat addition
dt
 Derivation of Steady Flow Energy Equation
As per the law of conservation of energy,
Energy at inlet= Energy at outlet
dQ
m {Energy carried into the system} + m {Flow work} + = m {Energy carried out of the
dt
dW
system} + m {Flow work} +
dt
dQ dW
∴m x {K.E + P.E +I.E}+m x {P1V1}+ = m x {K.E + P.E +I.E}+ m x {P2V2}+
dt dt
1 dQ 1 dW
∴ m x { C12 + gZ1+u1}+m x {P1V1}+ =m x { C22+gZ2+u2}+m x {P2V2}+
2 dt 2 dt
1 dQ 1 dW
∴ m x { C12 + gZ1+u1+ P1V1}+ = m x { C22+gZ2+u2 + P2V2} +
2 dt 2 dt
1 dQ 1 dW
∴ m x { C12 + gZ1+ h1 } + = m x { C22+gZ2+h2} +
2 dt 2 dt
In general,
𝟏 𝟏
m{ C12 + gZ1+ h1}+ Q = m{ C22 + gZ2 + h2 }+ W
𝟐 𝟐
where,
m= mass (kg)
C1 & C2= Velocity of the fluid at inlet and outlet resp. (m/sec)
Z1 & Z2= Distance of the entrance and exit section from reference (m)
h1 & h2= Enthalpy of the system. (J)
dW
W= = Rate of work done (J/sec, Watt)
dt
dQ
Q= =Rate of heat addition (Watt)
dt
u1 & u2= Specific internal energy at inlet and outlet resp. (kJ/kg)
P1 & P2= Pressure at inlet and outlet (Pa)
V1 & V2= Specific volume of the system at inlet and outlet resp.(m3/kg)
Graphical representation of Steady Flow Energy Equation

Control Surface Control volume

u1,P1,C1

Steady flow u2,P2,C2

Z1

Z2

Reference/ Datum
 Applications of Steady flow energy equation

Steady flow energy equation is commonly used in flow

processes in many engineering plants. Some
commonly used engineering systems which works on
steady flow energy equation (S.P.E.E) are as follows:

 Boiler
 Steam nozzle
 Turbine
 Application of S.P.E.E in Boiler
Applying Steady flow energy equation (S.P.E.E),
m{ C12 + gZ1+ h1}+ Q = m{ C22 + gZ2 + h2 }+ W
Here, NO work is done in boiler. So, W (Work done) = 0
Again, Changes in K.E & P.E are negligible
∴ m x {h1} + Q = m x {h2}
∴ m h1 + Q = m h 2 We know,
∴ Q = m h2 – m h 1 mass (m) x specific enthalpy(h)= Total enthalpy(H)
∴ Q = H2 – H1

Steam

Water

Heat
 Application of S.P.E.E in Steam nozzle
Applying Steady flow energy equation (S.P.E.E),
𝟏 𝟏
m{𝟐 C12 + gZ1+ h1}+ Q = m{𝟐 C22 + gZ2 + h2 }+ W
Here, NO work is done in nozzle. ∴W= 0 ; NO heat transfer is done. ∴ Q=0
Again, Z1 = Z2
1 1
So, h1 + 2 C12 = h2 + 2 C22
1 1
∴ h1 – h2= C12 - C22
2 2
1
∴ h1 – h2 = 2(C22 - C12)
C1 C2
∴ 2(h1 – h2) = C22 - C12
∴ 2(h1 – h2) +C12 = C22
∴C2 = 2(h1 – h2) +C12
Z1 Z2
 Application of S.P.E.E in Turbine
Applying Steady flow energy equation (S.P.E.E),
𝟏 𝟏
m{𝟐 C12 + gZ1+ h1}+ Q = m{𝟐 C22 + gZ2 + h2 }+ W
For Turbine, NO heat transfer is done as turbine is insulated.
∴Q=0
Again, changes in K.E & P.E are neglected
∴ mh1 = mh2 + W
∴ mh1 – mh2 = W Mass
∴W = H1-H2
W

Turbine