See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/336104486

PRACTICE PROBLEMS FOR THERMAL ENGINEERING

Book · September 2019

CITATIONS READS
0 1,200

1 author:

Mahesh Chandra Luintel

Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
48 PUBLICATIONS   40 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Dynamic Response of Overhung Pelton Turbine Unit for Forced Vibration View project

Transmission Loss Minimization View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Mahesh Chandra Luintel on 27 September 2019.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

PRACTICE PROBLEMS FOR
THERMAL ENGINEERING

Exercise Sheets

Mahesh Chandra Luintel

 Table of Contents
EXERCISE 1 .................................................................................................................................................... 3

EXERCISE 2 .................................................................................................................................................. 11

EXERCISE 3 .................................................................................................................................................. 16

EXERCISE 4 .................................................................................................................................................. 21

2
 PRACTICE PROBLEMS FOR THERMAL ENGINEERING

EXERCISE 1
FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

1. A gas undergoes a ploytropic process from an initial state of 500 kPa and 0.02 m3 to a final
state of 100 kPa and 0.05 m3. Determine the work transfer.
2. A piston cylinder arrangement shown in Figure A1.2 contains gas initially at P1 = Patm = 100
kPa and T1 = 200C. Piston with a cross sectional area of 0.01 m2 has a mass of 50 kg ad is
initially resting on the bottom stops. Heat is added to the system until it touches the upper
stops.
(a) Sketch the process on P-V and T-V diagrams.
(b) Determine the total work transfer.
(c) Determine the final temperature of the gas. [Take 𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 ]
3. A piston cylinder arrangement with two set of stops is restrained by a linear spring (𝑘 =
12 𝑘𝑁/𝑚) as shown in Figure A1.3. The cross sectional area of the piston is 0.05 m2. The
initial pressure of the gas is 500 kPa and the pressure required to lift the piston is 1000 kPa.
Heat is supplied to the gas until its pressure reaches 6000 kPa. Sketch the process on P-V
diagram and determine the total work transfer.
4. A gas enclosed by a piston shown in Figure A1.4 starts to expand due to heating. The initial
movement of 0.2 m is restrained by a fixed mass of 30 kg and the final 0.05 m is restrained
both by the mass and a spring of stiffness 10 kN/m. The cross sectional area of the piston is
0.15 m2 and the atmospheric pressure is 100 kPa.
(a) Neglecting the mass of the spring and the piston sketch a P-V diagram of the process.
(b) Calculate the work during the initial 0.2 m movement.
(c) Calculate the total work done.
5. The frictionless piston shown in Figure A1.5 has a mass of 20 kg and a cross sectional area
of 78.48 cm2. Heat is added until the temperature reaches 4000C. If the quality of the H2O at
the initial state is 0.2, determine:
(a) the initial pressure,
(b) the mass of H2O,
(c) the quality of the system when the piston hits the stops,
(d) the final pressure, and
(e) the total work transfer.
[Take Patm = 100 kPa, g = 9.81 m/s2]

3
Figure A1.2 Figure A1.3 Figure A1.4 Figure A1.5
6. A piston cylinder arrangement shown in Figure A1.6 contains 1 kg of water initially at a
pressure of 1 MPa and a temperature of 5000C. The water is cooled until it is completely
converted into the saturated liquid. It requires a pressure of 400 kPa to support the piston.
Sketch the process on P-v and T-v diagrams and determine the total work transfer.
7. A piston cylinder arrangement shown in Figure A1.7 contains water initially at a pressure of
1 MPa and a temperature of 4000C. Heat is transferred from the system to the surroundings
until its pressure drops to 100 kPa. Sketch the process on P-v and T-v diagrams and
determine:
(a) the mass of H2O in the system, and
(b) the total work transfer.

Figure A1.6 Figure A1.7

8. A piston cylinder arrangement contains 0.01 𝑚3 air at 150 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 270 𝐶. The air is now
compressed in a process for which pressure and volume relationship is given by 𝑃𝑉 1.25 =
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 to a final pressure 600 𝑘𝑃𝑎. Determine the work transfer and heat transfer for the
process. [Take 𝑅 = 287 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾 and 𝑐𝑉 = 718 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]
9. A gas undergoes a thermodynamic cycle consisting of the following three processes:
Process 𝟏 − 𝟐: expansion with 𝑃𝑉 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡, 𝑃1 = 800 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 𝑈2 = 𝑈1
Process 𝟐 − 𝟑: constant volume with 𝑉2 = 𝑉3 = 2 𝑚3 , 𝑈3 − 𝑈2 = 300 𝑘𝐽
Process 𝟑 − 𝟏: constant pressure, 𝑊31 = −1200 𝑘𝐽
(a) Sketch the process on 𝑃 − 𝑉 and 𝑇 − 𝑉 diagrams.
(b) Calculate the net work for the cycle.
(c) Calculate the net heat for the cycle.
(d) Calculate the heat transfer for process 1 − 2.
(e) Calculate the heat transfer for process 3 − 1.
(f) Is this power cycle or a refrigeration cycle?

4
10. A rigid vessel having a volume of 0.4 𝑚3 initially contains a two-phase mixture at a pressure
of 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 with 2 % of its volume occupied by saturated liquid and the remaining by the
saturated vapor. Heat is supplied to the vessel until it holds only saturated vapor. Determine
the total heat transfer for the process.
11. Oxygen (4 𝑘𝑔) is contained in a piston cylinder device shown in Figure A1.11 initially at a
pressure of 1000 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and a temperature of 770 𝐶. There is a heat transfer to the system until
the piston reaches the upper stops, at which time volume inside the cylinder is 0.6 𝑚3. The
oxygen is further heated until the pressure reaches to 2000 𝑘𝑃𝑎. Sketch the process on 𝑃 − 𝑉
and 𝑇 − 𝑉 diagrams and determine the total work and heat transfer in the process. [Take
𝑅 = 260 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾 and 𝑐𝑉 = 660 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]

12. Nitrogen (5 𝑘𝑔) is contained in a piston cylinder device shown in Figure A1.12 initially at a
pressure of 800 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and a temperature of 1270 𝐶. There is a heat transfer to the system until
the temperature reaches to 5270 𝐶 . It takes a pressure of 1500 𝑘𝑃𝑎 to lift the piston. Sketch
the process on 𝑃 − 𝑉 and 𝑇 − 𝑉 diagrams and determine the total work and heat transfer in
the process. [Take 𝑅 = 297 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾 and 𝑐𝑉 = 743 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]
13. Air (0.4 𝑘𝑔) is contained in a piston cylinder device shown in Figure A1.13 initially at a
pressure of 1500 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 800 𝐾. The cylinder has stops such that the minimum volume of
the system is 0.04 𝑚3 . The air in the cylinder is cooled to 300 𝐾. Sketch the process on
𝑃 − 𝑉 and 𝑇 − 𝑉 diagrams and determine
(a) the final pressure of the air, and
(b) the total work and heat transfer in the process. [Take 𝑅 = 287 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾 and 𝑐𝑉 =
718 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]

Figure A1.11 Figure A1.12 Figure A1.13

14. Air is contained in a piston cylinder device shown in Figure A1.14 initially at a pressure and
temperature of 1000 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 8000 𝐶. Heat is lost by the system until its pressure drops to
750 𝑘𝑃𝑎. Sketch the process on 𝑃 − 𝑉 and 𝑇 − 𝑉 diagrams and determine the total work and
heat transfer. [Take 𝑅 = 287 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾 and 𝑐𝑉 = 718 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]
15. Air (0.1 𝑘𝑔) is contained in piston/cylinder assembly as shown in Figure A1.15. Initially, the
piston rests on the stops and is in contact with the spring, which is in its unstretched position.
The spring constant is 100 𝑘𝑁/𝑚. The piston weighs 30 𝑘𝑁 and atmospheric pressure is
101 𝑘𝑃𝑎. The air is initially at 300 𝐾 and 200 𝑘𝑃𝑎. Heat transfer occurs until the air
temperature reaches the surrounding temperature of 700 𝐾.
(a) Find the final pressure and volume.
(b) Find the process work.

5
 (c) Find the heat transfer.
(d) Draw the P-V diagram of the process. [Take 𝑅 = 287 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾 and 𝑐𝑉 = 718 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]
16. Water (0.5 𝑘𝑔) is contained in a piston cylinder device shown in Figure A1.16 initially at a
pressure of 200 𝑘𝑃𝑎 with a quality of 80 %. Mass of the piston is such that a pressure of
300 𝑘𝑃𝑎 is required to lift it. Heat is transferred to the system until its volume doubles.
Sketch the process on 𝑃 − 𝑣 and 𝑇 − 𝑣 diagrams and determine
(a) the final temperature
(b) the total work transfer, and
(c) the total heat transfer.
17. Steam enters a turbine operating at steady state with a mass flow rate of 1.2 𝑘𝑔/𝑠. Properties
of the steam at the inlet are 𝑃1 = 5 𝑀𝑃𝑎, 𝑇1 = 4500 𝐶 𝑉�1 = 10 𝑚/𝑠 and at the exit are
𝑃2 = 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 𝑥2 = 80 % 𝑉�2 = 50 𝑚/𝑠. If the power output of the turbine is 1200 𝑘𝑊,
determine the rate of heat transfer from the turbine.

Figure A1.14 Figure A1.15 Figure A1.16

18. Air enters a compressor operating at steady state at 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 300 𝐾 and leaves at 1000 𝑘𝑃𝑎,
400 𝐾. The volumetric flow rate of air at the exit is 1.5 𝑚3 /𝑚𝑖𝑛. The work consumed by the
compressor is 250 𝑘𝐽 per kg of air. Neglecting the effects of potential and kinetic energy,
determine the heat transfer rate, in kW. [Take 𝑅 = 287 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾 and 𝑐𝑃 = 1005 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]
19. Air at 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 1270 𝐶 enters an adiabatic diffuser at a rate of 1.5 𝑘𝑔/𝑠 and leaves at a
pressure of 150 𝑘𝑃𝑎. The velocity of the air is decreased from 250 𝑚/𝑠 to 50 𝑚/𝑠 as it
passes through the diffuser. Determine:
(a) the exit temperature of the air, and
(b) the exit area of the diffuser.
[Take 𝑅 = 287 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾 and 𝑐𝑃 = 1005 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]
20. Steam at 4 𝑀𝑃𝑎, 4500 𝐶 enters a nozzle operating at steady state with a velocity of 50 𝑚/𝑠.
Steam leaves the nozzle at 2 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 3000 𝐶. The inlet area of the nozzle is 80 𝑐𝑚2 and
heat loss from the nozzle surface occurs at the rate of 100 𝑘𝑊. Determine:
(a) the mass flow rate of steam,
(b) the exit velocity of the steam, and
(c) the exit area of the nozzle.
21. A rigid, insulated tank that is initially evacuated is connected through a valve to a supply line
that carries steam at 4 MPa. Now the valve is opened, and steam is allowed to flow into the
tank until the pressure reaches 4 MPa, at which point the valve is closed. If the final

6
 temperature of the steam in the tank is 550°C, determine the temperature of the steam in the
supply line and the flow work per unit mass of the steam.
22. A vertical piston–cylinder device shown in Figure A1.22 initially contains 0.25 m3 of air at
600 kPa and 300°C. A valve connected to the cylinder is now opened, and air is allowed to
escape until three-quarters of the mass leave the cylinder at which point the volume is 0.05
m3. Determine the final temperature in the cylinder and the boundary work during this
process.
23. Air as an ideal gas flows through the turbine and heat exchanger arrangement shown in
Figure A.1.23. Data for the two flow streams are shown on the figure. Heat transfer to the
surroundings can be neglected, as can all kinetic and potential energy effects. Determine T3,
in K, and the power output of the second turbine, in kW, at steady state. [Take 𝑐𝑃 =
1005 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]

Figure A1.22 Figure A1.23

24. The turbocharger of an internal combustion engine consists of a turbine and a compressor.
Hot exhaust gases flow through the turbine to produce work and the work output from the
turbine is used as the work input to the compressor. The pressure of ambient air is increased
as it flows through the compressor before it enters the engine cylinders. Thus, the purpose of
a turbocharger is to increase the pressure of air so that more air gets into the cylinder.
Consequently, more fuel can be burned and more power can be produced by the engine.
In a turbocharger shown in Figure A1.24, exhaust gases enter the turbine at 400°C and 120
kPa at a rate of 0.02 kg/s and leave at 350°C. Air enters the compressor at 50°C and 100 kPa
and leaves at 130 kPa at a rate of 0.018 kg/s. The compressor increases the air pressure with a
side effect: It also increases the air temperature, which increases the possibility of a gasoline
engine to experience an engine knock. To avoid this, an aftercooler is placed after the
compressor to cool the warm air by cold ambient air before it enters the engine cylinders. It is
estimated that the aftercooler must decrease the air temperature below 80°C if knock is to be
avoided. The cold ambient air enters the aftercooler at 30°C and leaves at 40°C. Disregarding
any frictional losses in the turbine and the compressor and treating the exhaust gases as air,
determine:

7
 (a) the temperature of the air at the compressor outlet and
(b) the minimum volume flow rate of ambient air required to avoid knock.

Figure A1.24
25. During some actual expansion and compression processes in piston–cylinder devices, the
gases have been observed to satisfy the relationship PVn = C, where n and C are constants.
The gas expands from 150 kPa and 0.03 m3 to a final volume of 0.2 m3. Investigate the effect
of the polytropic exponent n on the boundary work. Let the polytropic exponent vary from
1.1 to 1.6. Plot the boundary work versus the polytropic exponent, and discuss the results.
26. A cooking pan whose inner diameter is 20 cm is filled with water and covered with a 4-kg lid
as shown in Figure A1.26. If the local atmospheric pressure is 101 kPa, determine the
temperature at which the water starts boiling when it is heated. Investigate the effect of the
mass of the lid on the boiling temperature of water in the pan. Let the mass vary from 1 kg to
10 kg. Plot the boiling temperature against the mass of the lid, and discuss the results.
27. A piston–cylinder device shown in Figure A1.27 contains 0.1 m3 of liquid water and 0.9 m3
of water vapor in equilibrium at 800 kPa. Heat is transferred at constant pressure until the
temperature reaches 350°C. Investigate the effect of pressure on the total mass of water in the
tank. Let the pressure vary from 0.1 MPa to 1 MPa. Plot the total mass of water against
pressure, and discuss the results.
28. A piston cylinder arrangement shown in Figure A1.28 contains water initially at P1 = 100
kPa, x1 = 0.8 and V1 = 0.01 m3. When the system is heated, it encounters a linear spring (k =
100 kN/m). At this state volume is 0.015 m3. The heating continues till its pressure is 200
kPa. If the diameter of the piston is 0.15 m, determine
(a) the final temperature, and
(b) the total work transfer.
(c) Also sketch the process on P-v diagram.
Investigate the effect of the spring constant on the final pressure in the cylinder and the
boundary work done. Let the spring constant vary from 50 kN/m to 300 kN/m. Plot the final
pressure and the boundary work against the spring constant, and discuss the results.
29. A piston–cylinder device shown in Figure A1.29 initially contains steam at 200 kPa, 200°C,
and 0.5 m3. At this state, a linear spring (F ∞ x) is touching the piston but exerts no force on
it. Heat is now slowly transferred to the steam, causing the pressure and the volume to rise to
500 kPa and 0.6 m3, respectively. Investigate the effect of the initial temperature of steam on

8
 the final temperature, the work done, and the total heat transfer. Let the initial temperature
vary from 150 to 250°C. Plot the final results against the initial temperature, and discuss the
results.

Figure A1.26 Figure A1.27 Figure A1.28 Figure A1.29

30. A well-insulated rigid tank contains certain mass of a saturated liquid–vapor mixture of water
at l00 kPa. Initially, three-quarters of the mass is in the liquid phase. An electric resistor
placed in the tank is connected to a 110-V source, and a current of 8 A flows through the
resistor when the switch is turned on. Investigate the effect of the initial mass of water on the
length of time required to completely vaporize the liquid. Let the initial mass vary from 1 to
10 kg. Plot the vaporization time against the initial mass, and discuss the results.
31. Air enters an adiabatic nozzle steadily at 300 kPa, 200°C, and 30 m/s and leaves at 100 kPa
and 180 m/s. Investigate the effect of the inlet area on the mass flow rate, exit temperature,
and the exit area. Let the inlet area vary from 50 cm2 to 150 cm2. Plot the final results against
the inlet area, and discuss the results.
32. Nitrogen gas at 60 kPa and 7°C enters an adiabatic diffuser steadily with a certain and leaves
at 85 kPa and 22°C. Investigate the effect of the inlet velocity on the exit velocity and the
ratio of the inlet-to-exit area. Let the inlet velocity vary from 180 to 260 m/s. Plot the final
results against the inlet velocity, and discuss the results.
33. Steam flows steadily through an adiabatic turbine. The inlet conditions of the steam are 10
MPa, 450°C, and 80 m/s, and the exit conditions are 92 percent quality, and 50 m/s. The
mass flow rate of the steam is 12 kg/s. Investigate the effect of the turbine exit pressure on
the power output of the turbine. Let the exit pressure vary from 10 to 200 kPa. Plot the power
output against the exit pressure, and discuss the results.
34. A well-insulated valve is used to throttle steam with inlet properties of 8 MPa and 500°C.
Investigate the effect of the exit pressure of steam on the exit temperature after throttling. Let
the exit pressure vary from 6 to 1 MPa. Plot the exit temperature of steam against the exit
pressure, and discuss the results.
35. Steam enters a well-insulated turbine operating at steady state with negligible velocity at 4
MPa, 320°C. The steam expands to an exit pressure of 0.07 MPa and a velocity of 90 m/s.
The diameter of the exit is 0.6 m. Neglecting potential energy effects, plot the power

9
 developed by the turbine, in kW, versus the steam quality at the turbine exit ranging from 0.9
to 1.0.
36. Air enters a water-jacketed air compressor operating at steady state with a volumetric flow
rate of 37 m3/min at 136 kPa, 305 K and exits with a pressure of 680 kPa and a temperature
of 400 K. The power input to the compressor is 155 kW. Energy transfer by heat from the
compressed air to the cooling water circulating in the water jacket results in an increase in the
temperature of the cooling water from inlet to exit with no change in pressure. Heat transfer
from the outside of the jacket as well as all kinetic and potential energy effects can be
neglected
(a) Determine the temperature increase of the cooling water, in K, if the cooling water mass
flow rate is 82 kg/min.
(b) Plot the temperature increase of the cooling water, in K, versus the cooling water mass
flow rate ranging from 75 to 90 kg/min.
37. Steam enters a turbine steadily at 10 MPa and 550°C with a velocity of 60 m/s and leaves at
25 kPa with a quality of 95 percent. A heat loss of 30 kJ/kg occurs during the process. The
inlet area of the turbine is 150 cm2, and the exit area is 1400 cm2. Determine (a) the mass
flow rate of the steam, (b) the exit velocity, and (c) the power output.
Investigate the effects of turbine exit area and turbine exit pressure on the exit velocity and
power output of the turbine. Let the exit pressure vary from 10 to 50 kPa (with the same
quality), and the exit area to vary from 1000 to 3000 cm2. Plot the exit velocity and the power
outlet against the exit pressure for the exit areas of 1000, 2000, and 3000 cm2, and discuss the
results.
38. A tank of volume 1 m3 initially contains steam at 6 MPa and 3200C. Steam is withdrawn
slowly from the tank until the pressure drops to P. Heat transfer to the tank contents
maintains the temperature constant at 3200C. Neglecting all kinetic and potential energy
effects
(a) determine the heat transfer, in kJ, if P = 1.5 MPa.
(b) plot the heat transfer, in kJ, versus P ranging from 0.5 to 6 MPa.

10
 PRACTICE PROBLEMS FOR THERMAL ENGINEERING

EXERCISE 2
SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

𝜕𝑈 𝜕𝑈
1. Prove that 𝑇 = � 𝜕𝑆 � and 𝑃 = − �𝜕𝑉 � .
𝑉 𝑆

2. Which is more effective way to increase the efficiency of a heat engine: to increase the
source temperature while the sink temperature is maintained or to decrease the sink
temperature by the same amount while the source temperature is held constant?
3. A heat pump maintains a room at a temperature of 200 𝐶 when the surrounding is at 50 𝐶. The
rate of heat loss from the room is estimated to be 0.6 𝑘𝑊 per degree temperature difference
between inside and outside. If the electricity costs 𝑅𝑠 10/𝑘𝑊ℎ, determine the minimum
theoretical cost per day.
4. A heat pump heats a house in the winter and then reverses to cool it in the summer. The room
temperature should be 220 𝐶 in the winter and 260 𝐶 in the summer. Heat transfer through the
walls and ceilings is estimated to be 3000 𝑘𝐽/ℎ per degree temperature difference between
the inside and outside.
(a) Determine the power required to run it in the winter when the outside temperature
decrease to 00 𝐶.
(b) If the unit is run by the same power as calculated in (a), throughout the year, determine
the maximum outside summer temperature for which the house can be maintained at
260 𝐶.
5. Two Carnot engines are connected in series so that the waste thermal energy at constant
temperature TM from engine 1 is the thermal energy source for engine 2. The high-
temperature reservoir for engine 1 is at TH. The low temperature reservoir for engine 2 is at
TL = 270C, and TL ≤ TM ≤ TH. The total work output w1 + w2 from this combined engine is
1.167 kJ/kg when the energy rejected from engine 1 (and is used as input to engine 2) is qM =
1 kJ/kg. This occurs when TM = 3270C.
(a) What is the value of w1 (kJ/kg)?
(b) What is the value of TH (0C)?
6. A Carnot heat engine draws heat from a reservoir at a temperature T1 and rejects heat to
another reservoir at temperature T3. The Carnot forward cycle engine drives a Carnot
reversed cycle engine or Carnot refrigerator which absorbs heat from reservoir at temperature
T2 and rejects heat to a reservoir at temperature T3. If the high temperature T1 = 600 K and
low temperature T2 = 300 K, determine:
(a) The temperature T3 such that heat supplied to engine Q1 is equal to heat absorbed by
refrigerator Q2.
(b) The efficiency of Carnot engine and COP of Carnot refrigerator.
7. A reversible engine working in a cycle takes 4800 kJ/min of heat from a source at 800 K and
develops 20 kW power. The engine rejects heat to two reservoirs at 300 K and 360 K.
Determine the heat rejected to each sink.

11
8. Three Carnot engines A, B, and C work in series between the temperature limits of 1000 K
and 300 K. The amounts of work developed is in the proportion of Wa:Wb:Wc = 5:4:3.
Determine the intermediate temperatures.
9. A piston cylinder device shown in Figure A2.9 contains 1 kg of water at saturated vapor
state 500 kPa. It is cooled so that its volume reduces to half of the initial volume because of
heat transfer to the surrounding at 200 C. Determine the total entropy generated during the
process.
10. A piston cylinder device loaded with a linear spring as shown in Figure A2.10 contains
0.5 𝑘𝑔 of water at 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 250 𝐶. Heat is transferred from a source at 7500 𝐶 until water
reaches to a final state of at 1000 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 6000 𝐶. Determine the total entropy generated
during the process.
11. A piston cylinder device shown in Figure A2.11 contains 1.5 kg of water initially at 100 kPa
with 10 % of quality. The mass of the piston is such that a pressure of 500 kPa is required to
lift the piston. Heat is added to the system from a source at 5000 C until its temperature
reaches4000 C. Determine the total entropy generation during the process.
12. Water is contained in a piston cylinder device with two set of stops as shown in Figure
A2.12 is initially at 1 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 4000 𝐶. The limiting volumes are 𝑉𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1 𝑚3 and 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
2 𝑚3 . The weight of the piston is such that a pressure of 400 𝑘𝑃𝑎 is required to support the
piston. The system is cooled to 1000 𝐶 by allowing system to reject heat to the surroundings
at 250 𝐶. Sketch the process on 𝑃 − 𝑣 and 𝑇 − 𝑣 diagrams and determine the total entropy
generated during the process.

Figure Figure
Figure A2.9 Figure A2.11
A2.10 A2.12
13. Steam enters a nozzle at 1.5 MPa and 3000 C and with a velocity of 50 m/s, undergoes a
reversible adiabatic process and exits at 200 kPa. Determine the exit velocity.
14. A compressor receives air at 100 kPa and 270 C and requires a power input of 60 kW. If the
mass flow rate of the air is 0.1 kg/s, determine the maximum exit pressure of the
compressor. [Take γ = 1.4, cP = 1005 J/kgK]
15. Air enters a compressor operating steadily at 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 270 𝐶 and with a volumetric flow rate
of 1.2 𝑚3 /𝑚𝑖𝑛 and exits at 400 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 1770 𝐶.The power required to drive the compressor is
3.6 𝑘𝑊. Determine
(a) the heat transfer rate from the compressor surface and
(b) the rate of entropy generation if heat is transferred to the surrounding at 200 𝐶. [Take
𝑅 = 287 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾, 𝑐𝑃 = 1005 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]

12
16. Air enters a nozzle operating steadily at 500 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 3270 𝐶 and with a velocity of 50 𝑚/𝑠
and exits at 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 270 𝐶 and with a velocity of 500 𝑚/𝑠. Determine
(a) the heat loss per kg of air from the nozzle surface and
(b) the rate of entropy generation per kg of air if heat is transferred to the surrounding at
200 𝐶. [Take 𝑅 = 287 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾, 𝑐𝑃 = 1005 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾]
17. Steam enters a turbine at 2 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 3000 𝐶 and exits at 20 𝑘𝑃𝑎 . If the specific work output
from the turbine is 650 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 of steam, determine the isentropic efficiency of the turbine.
18. Steam enters an adiabatic turbine at 5 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ,5000 𝐶 and with a velocity of 50 𝑚/𝑠 and exits
at 50 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 1000 𝐶 and with a velocity of 150 𝑚/𝑠. If the power output of the turbine is
5 𝑀𝑊, determine
(a) the mass flow rate of steam flowing through the turbine, and
(b) the isentropic efficiency of the turbine.
19. Air enters a gas turbine at 1 MPa and 1500 K and exits at 100 kPa. If its isentropic
efficiency is 80 %, determine the turbine exit temperature. [Take γ = 1.4]
20. Consider the turbocharger of an internal combustion engine as shown in Figure A2.20. The
exhaust gases enter the turbine at 450°C at a rate of 0.02 kg/s and leave at 400°C. Air enters
the compressor at 70°C and 95 kPa at a rate of 0.018 kg/s and leaves at 135 kPa. The
mechanical efficiency between the turbine and the compressor is 95 percent (5 percent of
turbine work is lost during its transmission to the compressor). Using air properties for the
exhaust gases, determine:
(a) the air temperature at the compressor exit and
(b) the isentropic efficiency of the compressor.
21. Figure A2.21 shows a system for collecting solar radiation and utilizing it for the production
of electricity by a power cycle. The solar collector receives solar radiation at the rate of 0.315
kW per m2 of area and provides energy to a storage unit whose temperature remains constant
at 2200C. The power cycle receives energy by heat transfer from the storage unit, generates
electricity at the rate 0.5 MW, and discharges energy by heat transfer to the surroundings at
200C. For operation at steady state,
(a) determine the minimum theoretical collector area required, in m2.
(b) determine the collector area required, in m2, as a function of the thermal efficiency
η and the collector efficiency, defined as the fraction of the incident energy that is
stored. Plot the collector area versus η for collector efficiencies equal to 1.0, 0.75,
and 0.5.

13
 Figure A2.20 Figure A2.21
22. Study the effects of the temperatures of the heat source and the heat sink on the power
produced and the cycle thermal efficiency. Let the source temperature vary from 300 to
1000°C, and the sink temperature to vary from 0 to 50°C. Plot the power produced and the
cycle efficiency against the source temperature for sink temperatures of 0°C, 25°C, and
50°C, and discuss the results.
23. A typical electric water heater has an efficiency of 90 percent and costs $390 a year to
operate at a unit cost of electricity of $0.08/kWh. A typical heat pump–powered water heater
has a COP of 2.2 but costs about $800 more to install. Determine how many years it will take
for the heat pump water heater to pay for its cost differential from the energy it saves.
Investigate the effect of the heat pump COP on the yearly operation costs and the number of
years required to break even. Let the COP vary from 2 to 5. Plot the payback period against
the COP and discuss the results.
24. Determine the maximum work that can be extracted from a pond containing 105 kg of water
at 350 K when the temperature of the surroundings is 300 K. Notice that the temperature of
water in the pond will be gradually decreasing as energy is extracted from it; therefore, the
efficiency of the engine will be decreasing. Use temperature intervals of (a) 5 K, (b) 2 K, and
(c) 1 K until the pond temperature drops to 300 K. Also solve this problem exactly by
integration and compare the results.
25. Study the effects of the varying heat added to the working fluid and the source temperature
on the entropy change of the working fluid, the entropy change of the source, and the total
entropy change for the process. Let the source temperature vary from 100 to 1000°C. Plot the
entropy changes of the source and of the working fluid against the source temperature for
heat transfer amounts of 500 kJ, 900 kJ, and 1300 kJ, and discuss the results.
26. Air enters a nozzle steadily at 280 kPa and 77°C with a velocity of 50 m/s and exits at 85 kPa
and 320 m/s. The heat losses from the nozzle to the surrounding medium at 20°C are
estimated to be 3.2 kJ/kg. Determine (a) the exit temperature and (b) the total entropy change
for this process. Study the effect of varying the surrounding medium temperature from 10 to
40°C on the exit temperature and the total entropy change for this process, and plot the
results.

14
27. Steam enters an adiabatic turbine at 8 MPa and 500°C with a mass flow rate of 3 kg/s and
leaves at 30 kPa. The isentropic efficiency of the turbine is 0.90. Neglecting the kinetic
energy change of the steam, determine (a) the temperature at the turbine exit and (b) the
power output of the turbine. Study the effect of varying the turbine isentropic efficiency from
0.75 to 1.0 on both the work done and the exit temperature of the steam, and plot your
results.
28. A heat engine receives heat from a source at 1500 K at a rate of 700 kJ/s, and it rejects the
waste heat to a medium at 320 K. The measured power output of the heat engine is 320 kW,
and the environment temperature is 25°C. Determine (a) the reversible power, and (b) the
rate of irreversibility.
Study the effect of reducing the temperature at which the waste heat is rejected on the
reversible power, and the rate of irreversibility, as the rejection temperature is varied from
500 to 298 K, and plot the results.

15
 PRACTICE PROBLEMS FOR THERMAL ENGINEERING

EXERCISE 3
THERODYNAMIC CYCLES

1. In an air standard Otto cycle, the ambient conditions determine the minimum temperature
while the maximum temperature is determined by the design conditions and metallurgical
considerations of the piston and cylinder. For fixed value of minimum temperature 𝑇1 and
maximum temperature 𝑇3 , show that for maximum work output, the compression ratio should
1
𝑇 2(𝛾−1)
have the value 𝑟 = �𝑇3 � .
1

2. Air enters the compressor of an ideal Brayton cycle at 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 , 290 𝐾 with a volumetric
flow rate of 4 𝑚3 /𝑠. The pressure ratio for the cycle is 10 and the maximum temperature
during the cycle is 1500 𝐾. Determine:
(a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle,
(b) the fraction of work output that is consumed by the compressor, and
(c) the net power output.
3. An ideal Brayton cycle has a pressure ratio of 12. The pressure and temperature at the
compressor inlet are 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 270 𝐶 respectively. The maximum temperature during the
cycle is 12000 𝐶. If the mass flow rate of air is 8 𝑘𝑔/𝑠, determine the power output and
efficiency of the cycle.
4. A power plant operating on an ideal Brayton cycle delivers a power output of 80 𝑀𝑊. The
minimum and maximum temperatures during the cycle are 300 𝐾 and 1500 𝐾 respectively.
The pressure at the compressor inlet and exit are 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 1400 𝑘𝑃𝑎 respectively.
(a) Determine the thermal efficiency of the cycle.
(b) Determine the power output from the turbine.
(c) What fraction of the turbine power output is required to drive the compressor?
5. The minimum and maximum temperatures during an ideal Brayton cycle are 300 𝐾 and
1200 𝐾 respectively. The pressure ratio is such that the net work developed is maximized.
Determine:
(a) the compressor and turbine work per unit mass of air, and
(b) the thermal efficiency of the cycle.
6. The compressor and turbine of an ideal gas turbine each have isentropic efficiencies of 80 %.
The pressure ratio is 10. The minimum and maximum temperatures are 300 𝐾 and 1500 𝐾
respectively. Determine:
(a) the net work per kg of air,
(b) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, and
(c) Compare both of these for a cycle with ideal compressor and turbine.
7. A Rankine cycle has a boiler working at a pressure of 2 𝑀𝑃𝑎. The maximum and minimum
temperatures during the cycle are 4000 𝐶 and 500 𝐶 respectively. Determine the efficiency of

16
 the cycle and compare it with that of the Carnot cycle operating between the same
temperature limits.
8. A steam power plant operates on a simple Rankine cycle between the pressure limits of
2 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 20 𝑘𝑃𝑎. The temperature of the steam at the turbine inlet is 4000 𝐶, and the mass
flow rate of steam is 50 𝑘𝑔/𝑠. Determine:
(a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, and
(b) the net power output of the plant.
9. An ideal Rankine cycle operates between a boiler pressure of 4 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and a condenser
pressure of 10 𝑘𝑃𝑎. The exit steam from the turbine should have a quality of 96 % and the
power output of the turbine should be 80 𝑀𝑊. Determine
(a) the minimum boiler exit temperature,
(b) the efficiency of the cycle, and
(c) the mass flow rate of steam.
10. Saturated vapor enters into a turbine of an ideal Rankine cycle at 10 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and saturated
liquid exits the condenser at 10 𝑘𝑃𝑎. The power output of the cycle is 120 𝑀𝑊. Determine:
(a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle,
(b) the back work ratio,
(c) the mass flow rate of steam,
(d) the rate at which heat is supplied to the boiler,
(c) the rate at which heat is rejected from the condenser, and
(d) the mass flow rate of condenser cooling water, if the cooling water enters at
200 𝐶 and exits at 350 𝐶. [Take specific heat of water as 4.18 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾].
11. Superheated steam at 8 𝑀𝑃𝑎, 5000 𝐶 enters into turbine of a steam power plant working on a
Rankine cycle. The steam leaves the condenser as saturated liquid at 8 𝑘𝑃𝑎. The turbine and
pump have isentropic efficiencies of 90 % and 80 % respectively. For the cycle, determine:
(a) the net work per kg of steam,
(b) the heat supplied into the boiler per kg of steam, and
(c) the thermal efficiency.
12. An ideal Otto cycle has a compression ratio of 8. The minimum and maximum temperatures
during the cycle are 300 𝐾 and 1500 𝐾 respectively. Determine:
(a) the heat added per kg of air,
(b) the thermal efficiency, and
(c) the efficiency of a Carnot cycle operating between the same temperature limits.
13. The compression ratio of an ideal Otto cycle is 8.5. At the beginning of the compression
stroke, air is at 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 270 𝐶. The pressure is doubled during the constant volume heat
addition process. Determine:
(a) the heat added per kg of air,
(b) the net work output per kg of air,
(c) the thermal efficiency, and
(d) the mean effective pressure.
14. Air at the beginning of the compression stroke in an air standard Otto cycle is at 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎
and 300 𝐾. The temperature of the air before and after the expansion stroke are 1500 𝐾 and

17
 650 𝐾 respectively. If the air circulation rate is 3 𝑘𝑔/𝑚𝑖𝑛, determine the compression ratio,
air standard efficiency and the power output.
15. An air standard diesel cycle has a compression ratio of 22 and expansion ratio of 11.
Determine its cut off ratio and the efficiency.
16. The properties of air at the beginning of compression stroke in an air standard Diesel cycle
are 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 300 𝐾. The air at the beginning of the expansion stroke is at 6500 𝑘𝑃𝑎
and 2000 𝐾. Determine:
(a) the compression ratio,
(b) the thermal efficiency, and
(c) the mean effective pressure.
17. An engine working on a diesel cycle has a compression ratio of 16 and the cut off takes place
at 8 % of the stroke. Determine its air standard efficiency.
18. Air at the beginning of compression stroke in an ideal Diesel cycle is at 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 295 𝐾
and the compression ratio is 20. Determine the maximum temperature during the cycle to
have an efficiency of 65 %.
19. Air enters the compressor of an ideal air-standard Brayton cycle at 100 kPa, 300 K. The
compressor pressure ratio is 10. The turbine inlet temperature is 1400 K. Determine the
thermal efficiency of the cycle for a regenerator effectiveness of 80%. Take cp = 1.005 kJ/kg
K and γ = 1.4.
20. Air is drawn in a gas turbine unit at 15°C and 100 kPa and pressure ratio is 7 : 1. The
compressor is driven by the H.P. turbine and L.P. turbine drives a separate power shaft. The
isentropic efficiencies of compressor, and the H.P. and L.P. turbines are 0.82, 0.85 and 0.85
respectively. If the maximum cycle temperature is 610°C, calculate :
(a) The pressure and temperature of the gases entering the low pressure turbine.
(b) The net power developed by the unit per kg/s mass flow.
(c) The thermal efficiency of the unit.
[For compression process cpa = 1.005 kJ/kg K and γ = 1.4 and for combustion and
expansion processes: cpg = 1.15 kJ/kg K and γ = 1.333].
21. Air enters the compressor at 100 kPa, 300 K and is compressed to 1000 kPa. The temperature
at the inlet to the first turbine stage is 1400 K. The expansion takes place isentropically in
two stages, with reheat to 1400 K between the stages at a constant pressure of 300 kPa. A
regenerator having an effectiveness of 100% is also incorporated in the cycle. Determine the
thermal efficiency. Take cp = 1.005 kJ/kg K and γ = 1.4.
22. On a reheat cycle, steam leaves the boiler and enters the turbine at 4 MPa, 4000C. After
expansion in the turbine to 400 kPa, the steam is reheated to 4000C and then expanded in the
low-pressure turbine to 10 kPa. Determine the cycle efficiency.
23. A steam power plant running on Rankine cycle has steam entering HP turbine at 20 MPa,
500ºC and leaving LP turbine at 89.6 % dryness. Considering condenser pressure of 0.005
MPa and reheating occurring upto the temperature of 500ºC determine:
a) the pressure at which steam leaves HP turbine
b) the thermal efficiency.

18
24. An ideal steam power plant with reheats as shown in Figure A3.24. If the power required to
drive the pump is 12 kW, determine the thermal efficiency and the mass flow rate.

Figure A3.24

25. A regenerative gas turbine with intercooling and reheat operates at steady state. Air enters the
compressor at 100 kPa, 300 K with a mass flow rate of 5.807 kg/s. The pressure ratio across
the two-stage compressor is 10. The pressure ratio across the two-stage turbine is also 10.
The intercooler and reheater each operate at 300 kPa. At the inlets to the turbine stages, the
temperature is 1400 K. The temperature at the inlet to the second compressor stage is 300 K.
The isentropic efficiency of each compressor and turbine stage is 80%. The regenerator
effectiveness is 80%.

Complete the table given below.

S. No. Schemes Used wC, kJ/Kg wT, kJ/Kg wnet, kJ/Kg qH, kJ/Kg η
No
regeneration,
No
1.
Intercooling
and No
reheating
Only
2.
regeneration
Only
3.
Intercooling
4. Only reheating
Regeneration
5. and
Intercooling
6. Regeneration

19
 and Reheating
Intercooling
7.
and Reheating
Regeneration,
8. Intercooling
and Reheating

26. Steam leaves the boiler and enters the turbine at 4 MPa, 4000C. After expansion to P kPa,
some of the steam is extracted from the turbine to heat the feedwater in an open feedwater
heater. The pressure in the feedwater heater is P kPa, and the water leaving it is saturated
liquid at P kPa. The steam not extracted expands to 10 kPa.

Complete the table given below.

S. No. P, kPa wP, kJ/Kg wT, kJ/Kg wnet, kJ/Kg qH, kJ/Kg η
1. 200
2. 400
3. 600
4. 800

20
 PRACTICE PROBLEMS FOR THERMAL ENGINEERING

EXERCISE 4
HEAT TRANSFER AND HEAT EXCHANGERS

1. Derive general conduction equations in cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems.

2. A pipe is covered with insulation. The inner and outer radii of the insulation are ri and ro
respectively. The outer surface of the insulation is exposed to ambient air at a temperature of
TA while inner surface temperature of the insulation is T1. Derive an expression for the heat
transfer if convective heat transfer coefficient of the air is h. Plot the variation of heat transfer
with ro. Explain how and why heat transfer varies with r0. Also derive the value of r0 at which
heat transfer is maximum.
3. A spherical shell is covered with insulation. The inner and outer radii of the insulation are ri
and ro respectively. The outer surface of the insulation is exposed to ambient air at a
temperature of TA while inner surface temperature of the insulation is T1. Derive an
expression for the heat transfer if convective heat transfer coefficient of the air is h. Plot the
variation of heat transfer with ro. Explain how and why heat transfer varies with r0. Also
derive the value of r0 at which heat transfer is maximum.
4. Derive an expression for LMTD for a counter-flow heat exchanger.
5. Derive an expression for effectiveness of a counter-flow heat exchanger in terms NTU and
Cmin/Cmax.
6. A steel pipe having an outer diameter of 4 𝑐𝑚 is maintained at a temperature of 800 𝐶 in a
room where the ambient temperature is 250 𝐶. The emissivity of the surface is 0.8 and the
convection heat transfer coefficient between the surface and air is 10 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾. Determine
the total heat loss from the unit length of the pipe.
7. A hot plate of length 80 𝑐𝑚, width 50 𝑐𝑚 and thickness 4 𝑐𝑚 is placed in air stream at
200 𝐶. It is estimated that a total of 300 𝑊 is lost from the plate surface by radiation when it
has a outer surface temperature of 2500 𝐶 at steady state. If the convective heat transfer
coefficient is 25 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾 and the thermal conductivity of the plate is 50 𝑊/𝑚𝐾, determine
the inside surface temperature of the plate.
8. A flat plate collector having collection efficiency of 80 % is insulated at the back surface and
exposed to solar radiation at the front surface. The front surface receives solar radiation at a
rate of 850 𝑊/𝑚2 and dissipates heat to the ambient air at 200 𝐶 both by convection and
radiation. If the convection heat transfer coefficient between the plate and air is 16 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾,
determine the surface temperature of the plate.
9. A thin metal plate is insulated on the back and exposed to solar radiation at the front surface.
The exposed surface of the plate has an emissivity of 0.7. If solar radiation is incident on the
plate at a rate of 750 𝑊/𝑚2 and the surrounding air temperature is 200 𝐶, determine the
surface temperature of the plate. Assume the convection heat transfer coefficient to be
40 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾.

21
10. The inner surface of a 2 𝑐𝑚 thick 50 𝑐𝑚 × 50 𝑐𝑚 plate (𝑘 = 10 𝑊/𝑚𝐾) is at 4000 𝐶. The
outer surface dissipates heat by combined convection and radiation to the ambient air at
270 𝐶. If the plate surface has an emissivity 0.85 of and the convection heat transfer
coefficient between the outer plate surface and the ambient air is 20 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾, determine the
outer surface temperature of the plate.
11. The inner surface of a 0.2 𝑚 thick wall (𝑘 = 1 𝑊/𝑚𝐾) is exposed to hot combustion gas and
its outer surface is exposed to ambient air at 200 𝐶.The emissivity of the wall surface is 0.8
and convection heat transfer coefficient for the wall surface and air is 25 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾. Under
steady state condition, temperature at the outer surface of the wall is found as 750 𝐶.
Determine the wall inner surface temperature.
12. Find the heat transfer through the composite wall as shown in Figure A4.12. Assume one
dimensional flow. The thermal conductivities of wall materials are 𝑘𝐴 = 150 𝑊/𝑚𝐾,
𝑘𝐵 = 30 𝑊/𝑚𝐾, 𝑘𝐶 = 65 𝑊/𝑚𝐾 and 𝑘𝐷 = 50 𝑊/𝑚𝐾. All dimensions are in 𝑐𝑚.
13. A 40 𝑚 long steel pipe (𝑘 = 50 𝑊/𝑚𝐾) having an inside diameter 80 𝑚𝑚 and outside
diameter 120 𝑚𝑚 is covered with two layers of insulation. The layer in contact with pipe is
30 𝑚𝑚 thick asbestos (𝑘 = 0.15 𝑊/𝑚𝐾) and the layer next to it is 20 𝑚𝑚 thick magnesia
(𝑘 = 0.1 𝑊/𝑚𝐾). The heat transfer coefficients for the inside and outside surfaces are
240 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾 and 10 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾 respectively. If the temperature of the steam inside the pipe is
4000 𝐶 and the ambient air temperature is 250 𝐶. Determine:
(a) the inside overall heat transfer coefficient 𝑈𝑖 ,
(b) the outside overall heat transfer coefficient 𝑈𝑜 ,
(c) the heat transfer rate using 𝑈𝑖 , and
(d) the heat transfer rate using 𝑈𝑜 .

Figure A4.12

14. A steam pipe (𝑘 = 45 𝑊/𝑚𝐾) has inside diameter of 100 𝑚𝑚 and outside diameter of
140 𝑚𝑚. It is insulated at the outside with asbestos (𝑘 = 1 𝑊/𝑚𝐾). The steam temperature
is 2000 𝐶 and the air temperature is 250 𝐶. The heat transfer coefficients for inner and outer

22
 surfaces are 120 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾 and 40 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾 respectively. Determine the required thickness of
the asbestos in order to limit the heat losses to 1250 𝑊/𝑚?
15. A hollow sphere of inner and outer diameters 20 cm and 30 cm respectively contains a
chemical mixture which releases 104 kJ/hr. Determine the temperature in the sphere at a
location 1 cm from the outer surface of the sphere. Outer side surface temperature of the
sphere is 400C.
16. A cylindrical tank of inner diameter 1 m and thickness of 3 cm is designed to store hot
sulfuric acid at 1200C. The two ends of the cylinder are spherical of same thickness and of
same material. The surrounding temperature is at 300C. Assuming outer surface heat transfer
coefficient of 10 W/m2K and neglecting inside heat transfer coefficient, find out the
(a) Rate of heat loss from the tank.
(b) The rate of temperature drop of H2SO4, if ρ = 1260 kg/m3 and CP = 1.2 kJ/kg.K for
H2SO4.
Take k = 40 W/m.K for the material used for the tank. Length of tank = 5 m.
17. A double-pipe heat exchanger is constructed of a copper (k = 380 W/m·°C) inner tube of
internal diameter Di = 1.2 cm and external diameter Do = 1.6 cm and an outer tube of
diameter 3.0 cm. The convection heat transfer coefficient is reported to be hi = 700 W/m2·°C
on the inner surface of the tube and ho = 1400 W/m2·°C on its outer surface. For a fouling
factor Rf,i = 0.0005 m2· °C/W on the tube side and Rf,o = 0.0002 m2·°C/W on the shell side,
determine (a) the thermal resistance of the heat exchanger per unit length and (b) the overall
heat transfer coefficients Ui and Uo based on the inner and outer surface areas of the tube,
respectively.
18. In a food processing plant a brine solution is heated from 6°C to 12°C in a double-pipe heat
exchanger by water entering at 500C and leaving at 400C at the rate of 0.166 kg/s. If the
overall heat transfer coefficient is 850 W/m2.0C, what heat exchanger area is required for (a)
parallel flow and (b) counter flow?
19. Hot oil (cp = 2.09 kJ/kg.K) flows through a counter flow heat exchanger at the rate of 0.63
kg/s. It enters at 1930C and leaves at 650C. Cold oil (cp = 1.67 kJ/kg.K) exits at 1490C at the
rate of 1.0 kg/s. What area is required to handle the load if the overall heat transfer
coefficient based on the inside area is 0.7 kW/m2.K?
20. A brine solution is heated from 60C to 300C in a one-shell-pass (hot water)-two-tube-pass
(brine) heat exchanger. The hot water enters at 550Cand exits at 400C. The water flow rate is
0.25 kg/s, and the overall heat transfer coefficient is U = 900 W/m2.K. What heat exchanger
area is required?
21. A double-pipe, parallel-flow heat exchanger uses oil (cp = 1.88kJ/kg.0C) at an initial
temperature of 2050C to heat water, flowing at 225 kg/h, from 160C to 440C. The oil flow
rate is 270 kg/h. (a) What heat exchanger area is required for an overall heat transfer
coefficient of 340 W/m2.0C? (b) Determine the number of transfer units (NTU). (c) Calculate
the effectiveness of the heat exchanger.
22. Water enters a counter-flow, double-pipe heat exchanger at 380C, flowing at the rate of 0.75
kg/s. It is heated by oil (cp = 1.884 kJ/kg.K) flowing at the rate of 1.5 kg/s from an inlet
temperature of 116°C. For an area of 13.0 m2 and an overall heat transfer coefficient of
340W/m2.K, determine the total heat transfer rate.

23

View publication stats