FEEG1003 Problem sheet 3 – Working fluids (Ideal gases and 1st Law)

Question 1
A vertical cylinder of cross-sectional area 0.1 m2 with its lower end closed and upper open, is fitted
with a heavy piston of mass 203.9 kg. Initially, the piston is supported (e.g. on a ring projecting
inwards a small distance from the cylinder wall) such that the volume V1 = 0.05m3 between lower
face of the piston and the end wall of the cylinder. The volume is occupied by the mass m of a gas,
initially at a pressure p1 of 1 bar and a temperature T1 of 27°C. Atmospheric pressure, acting on the
pistons upper face is also 1 bar. For this gas assume R = 0.290 kJ/kg.K and Cv = 0.725 kJ/kg.K. A heat
transfer to the gas takes place, until the piston has risen a distance of 200 mm. The process occurs
sufficiently slowly and the effect of friction is sufficiently small that the system comprising the gas
undergoes a quasi-equilibrium process. See below for three sketches of the cylinder and piston: (1)
at the beginning of the process (gas in state 1), (2) at the point at which the piston is just about to
rise off the support (gas in state 2) and (3) at the end of the process (gas in state 3).

a) Sketch the process path on a P − V diagram [1 mark]

b) Use the equation of state in State 1 to show that m = 0.0575 kg [1 mark]
c) Considering the force on the piston show that P2 = 1.2 bar. What is P3? [2 marks]
d) Write down in symbols the 1st Law for the Process 1 to 2, with the aim of finding Q12, the
heat transfer necessary to begin lifting the piston. Use the equation of state in state 2 to show T2
= 360 K and hence Q12 = 2.5 kJ. [2 marks]
e) Write down the 1st law for the Process 2 to 3, with the aim of finding Q23, the heat transfer
while the piston is moving. Show that the displacement work W23 = 2.4 kJ. Use the equation of
state in State 3 to show that T3 = 504 K and hence Q23 = 8.4 kJ. [4 marks]
[total 10 marks]

Answer 1
FEEG1003 Problem sheet 3 – Working fluids (Ideal gases and 1st Law)