LESSON 4

CLOSED SYSTEM THERMODYNAMIC PROCESSES

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our fourth lesson on closed system thermodynamic processes. From the first lesson
you were introduced to the concept of thermodynamic process. In this lesson we will build
further on the closed systems undergoing a cycle and change in state application of first law on
closed systems in thermodynamics and the concept of reversibility.

4.2 Lesson Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, you will be able

4.2.1 Differentiate the types of closed systems

4.2.2 Illustrate the application of first law to closed systems

4.2.3 Analyze the concept of reversibility and irreversibility.

4.2.1 Types of closed systems

Closed system is a system of fixed mass. There is no mass transfer across the system boundary.
There may be energy transfer in to or out of the system. In this case we consider closed systems
which have constant mass in the system during a process or processes. The boundary may move
however, and moving boundary work can be performed at the moving boundary, either by
(Wout) or on (Win) the system.

If a closed system undergoes a change of state or a process and during which, both work transfer
and heat transfer are involved, then the net energy transfer will be stored within the system. If Q
is the amount of heat transferred to the system and W is the amount of work transferred from the
system, during the process, and then the net energy transfer (Q — W) will be stored in the
system.

Energy in storage is neither heat nor work, but is called as Internal energy or simply energy of
the system

∴ Q – W = ΔE
Q= ΔE+W
Where ΔE is the change in energy. Here Q, W and ΔE all are expressed in joules.

Numbering, pacing and sequencing 4.2.1

Title Types of closed systems
Purpose To differentiate the types of closed systems

Brief summary of overall task Read this book chapter 4 section 9 (4.9) on application
of first law of thermodynamics to non-flow or closed
system on page 109-118 and name the various types

Spark

Name the process shown in the spark and show the

expression of work in a P-V diagram
Individual task After reading the book derive summarize the
processes of closed systems in a table
Give the answer to the question on the spark
Post your answers on the discussion forum 4.2.1
provided
Interaction begins ● Read what your colleagues have posted in the
discussion forum 4.2.1
● Keeping netiquette in mind, comment on what three
of your colleagues have posted.
● Read the facilitator’s comments too to get feedback
Add any new point you have learnt to your
notes/portfolio
E-moderator interventions

Schedule and time This task should take you 30 minutes

Next application of first law to closed systems

4.2.2 Application of first law to closed systems

If a closed system undergoes a change of state or a process and during which, both work transfer
and heat transfer are involved, then the net energy transfer will be stored within the system. If Q
is the amount of heat transferred to the system and W is the amount of work transferred from the
system, during the process, and then the net energy transfer (Q — W) will be stored in the
system.

Energy in storage is neither heat nor work, but is called as Internal energy or simply energy of
the system

∴ Q – W = ΔE
Q= ΔE+W
Where ΔE is the change in energy. Here Q, W and ΔE all are expressed in joules.

Numbering, pacing and sequencing 4.2.1

Title Types of closed systems
Purpose To differentiate the types of closed systems

Brief summary of overall task Read this book chapter 4 section 9 (4.9) on application
of first law of thermodynamics to non-flow or closed
system on page 109-118 and derive the NFEE for
the closed system
Spark

Name the process shown in the spark and show the

energy balance equation.
Individual task After reading the book summarize the equations of
the processes of closed systems
Give the answer to the question on the spark
Post your answers on the discussion forum 4.2.2
provided
Interaction begins ● Read what your colleagues have posted in the
discussion forum 4.2.2
● Keeping netiquette in mind, comment on what three
of your colleagues have posted.
 ● Read the facilitator’s comments too to get feedback
Add any new point you have learnt to your
notes/portfolio
E-moderator interventions

Schedule and time This task should take you 1 hour

Next Reversibility and irreversibility.

4.2.3 Reversibility and irreversibility.

Thermodynamic processes may have the change of state occurring in two ways. One is the
change of state occurring so that if the system is to restore its original state, it can be had by
reversing the factors responsible for occurrence of the process. Other change of state may occur
such that the above restoration of original state is not possible.

Numbering, pacing and sequencing 4.2.3

Title Reversibility and irreversibility.
Purpose Analyze the concept of reversibility and
irreversibility.
Brief summary of overall task Read this book chapter 2 section 2.18 on Reversibility
and irreversibility. Page 45-46
Show these concepts on a P-V diagram

Spark

In a table, summarize the difference between

reversible and irreversible processes
Individual task After reading the book write down the applications of
reversible and irreversible processes
Give the answer to the question on the spark
Post your answers on the discussion forum 4.2.3
provided
Interaction begins ● Read what your colleagues have posted in the
discussion forum 4.2.3
● Keeping netiquette in mind, comment on what three
of your colleagues have posted.
● Read the facilitator’s comments too to get feedback
 Add any new point you have learnt to your
notes/portfolio
E-moderator interventions

Schedule and time This task should take you 30 minutes

Next Continuity equation and applications

4.3 Assessment Questions

1. The condition for the reversibility of a cycle is
a. the pressure and temperature of the working substance must not differ, appreciably, from
those of the surroundings at any stage in the process
b. all the processes, taking place in the cycle of operation, must be extremely slow
c. the working parts of the engine must be friction free
d. there should be no loss of energy during the cycle of operation
e. all of the above
f. None of the above.
2. In an irreversible process, there is a
a. loss of heat
b. no loss of heat
c. gain of heat
d. No gain of heat.
3. The main cause of the irreversibility is
a. mechanical and fluid friction
b. unrestricted expansion
c. heat transfer with a finite temperature difference
d. all of the above
e. None of the above.
4. In reversible polytropic process
a. true heat transfer occurs
b. the entropy remains constant
c. the enthalpy remains constant
d. the internal energy remains constant
e. the temperature remains constant.

5. The net work done per kg of gas in a polytropic process is equal to

v2
a. P1 v 1 log e
v1
b. p1 ( v1 −v 2 )
 c. p2 ¿
p 1 v1 −p 2 v 2
d.
n−1

6. When the gas is heated at constant pressure, the heat supplied

a. increases the internal energy of the gas
b. increases the temperature of the gas
c. does some external work during expansion
d. both (b) and (c)
e. None of the above.

7. In isothermal process
a. temperature increases gradually
b. volume remains constant
c. pressure remains constant
d. enthalpy change is maximum
e. change in internal energy is zero.
8. The processes or systems that do not involve heat are called
a. isothermal processes
b. equilibrium processes
c. thermal processes
d. steady processes
e. adiabatic processes

4.4 e-references

ENGINEERING THERMODYNAMICS T H I R D E D I T I O N SI Units Version by R. K.

Rajput available on
https://uowa.edu.iq/filestorage/file_1551541671.pdf