Unit 13: Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines

Unit code D/615/1487

Unit level 4 Credit value 15

ASSIGNMENT 1 OUTCOME 2
STEADY FLOW SYSTEMS

D2 Produce specific Steady Flow

L02 Apply the Steady Flow Energy Equation to plant equipment
Energy Equations based on stated
P4 Explain system M2 Derive the Steady Flow assumptions in plant equipment
parameters using the Non- Flow Energy Equation from first
Energy Equation principles
P5 Apply the Steady Flow Energy
Equation to plant equipment

This assignment contributes to P4, P5, M2 and D2.

You should write a report showing all the tasks detailed below in full and indicate the source
of your data. The report should be written in appropriate technical language.

PART 1 AIR COMPRESSOR

The diagram below shows an installation for an air compressor. Air is drawn in at the intake
and compressed in a water cooled reciprocating air compressor. The air passes to an air
receiver where more natural cooling takes place. Assume that the compressor is running in a
steady state condition with equal mass of air entering the air intake and leaving the receiver.
The Power delivered by the electric motor into the compressor is 30 kW.
The mass flow rate of the air drawn in is 0.4 kg/s.
The atmospheric pressure is 1 bar and the receiver pressure is 12 bar gauge.
o
The atmospheric temperature is 15 C.
o
The temperature of the air entering the receiver is 40 C.
o
The temperature of the air leaving the receiver is 15 C.
You may assume Cp = 1.005 kJ/kg K at inlet and outlet.
The cooling water flows at 0.5 kg/s
The temperatures of the water at inlet and outlet are 12.1oC and 19.7oC respectively.
st
Apply the 1 Law of Thermodynamics and calculate the following

 The heat removed by the cooling water.

 The ideal power input to the compressor.
 The mechanical efficiency of the compressor.
 The heat removed by cooling in the air receiver.

PART 2 WASTE HEAT BOLER

The diagram shows a waste heat boiler which is supplied with hot exhaust gas from a gas
turbine set and heats up water turning it into low pressure steam before exhausting.

The hot gas flows at 2.5 kg/s.

The temperature of the gas is 350oC at inlet and 100oC at exit.
The boiler is supplied with water at 15oC and must produce steam at 2 bar pressure with a
dryness fraction of 0.96. The shell is insulated and heat loss is negligible.
The specific heat at constant pressure for the gas is 1.1 kJ/kg K

Apply the Stead Flow Energy Equation to the boiler making suitable assumptions and
calculate the flow rate of the water and steam that can be produced assuming no heat losses.