THE BRITISH UNIVERSITY IN EGYPT

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

MECH20C05 Thermo-Fluids
Experiment 3
Expansion processes of ideal gases
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Osama Badr
NAME:
ID NO:
DEPARTMENT:
GROUP NO:

Objectives:
- To understand the behavior of an ideal gas, adiabatic process, and first
law.
- To illustrate how P-V-T data are used to measure other
thermodynamic properties.
- To determine the heat capacity ratio γ = Cp/Cv (γ = K) which is
determined for air near standard temperature and pressure.

Theory:

In this experiment, a pressurized gas at room temperature within a container

at a starting state (s) is allowed to expand to an intermediate state (i) by
opening a small valve. The fast expansion process is assumed adiabatic and
internally reversible; i.e. an isentropic process.
The valve is then closed and the remaining gas within the container is
allowed to reach thermal equilibrium with the ambient (state f).

For the isentropic process (adiabatic + ideal) s i:

The first law of thermodynamics within the container is:

δQ - δW = d u
0 – p dV= mCv dT
- ((mRT)/ V) dV = m Cv dT
-R (dV/V) = Cv (dT/T)
Integrate - R ln(Vi/Vs) = Cv ln (Ti/Ts)
For an isentropic process P (v ^γ) = constant; where γ = Cp/Cv
(Ps / Pi) ^ (1/γ) = (Vi/Vs)
Thus –R ln(Ps / Pi) ^ (1/γ) = Cv ln (Ti/Ts) (1)

For the process i f

slow heat exchange with the surroundings (constant volume, Tf = Tambient
= Ts)
Pi Vi = mR Ti Pf Vf = m R Tf
Thus, Pi /Pf = Ti /Tf = Ti/ Ts (2)

Substitute equation 1 in 2 to get:

-R ln (Ps / Pi) ^ (1/γ) = Cv ln (Pi /Pf)
R (1/ γ) ln (Pi/Ps) = Cv ln (Pi/Pf)
(ln (Pi/Ps)) / (ln (Pi/Pf)) = (Cv) (γ) /R
(ln Pi – ln Ps) / (ln Pi – ln Pf) = Cv (Cp/Cv) / R = Cp /R = Cp / (Cp-Cv)
= 1 / (1-(1/γ))

Thus: 1-(1/ γ) = (ln Pi – ln Pf) / (ln Pi – ln Ps)

Which gives 1/ γ = 1 – ((ln Pi – ln Pf)/ (ln Pi – ln Ps)) =

= ((ln Pf – ln Ps)/ (ln Pi – ln Ps))
= ((ln Ps – ln Pf)/ (ln Ps – ln Pi))

Thus: γ = (ln Ps – ln Pi)/ (lnPs – ln Pf)

Experimental setup:

Refer to the diagrams i, ii, and iii

1- A pressure relief valve
2- Top plate
3- Pressurized vessel
4- Bottom plate
5- O ring
6- Evacuated vessel
9- Air pump
10- Thermistor bead
11- Electrical console
12- On/Off switch
13- Air pump switch
14- Rotary selector switch
15- I/O port connector
16- Digital meter
19- Pressure sensor tank 1
20- Temperature sensor inside tank 1
21- Temperature sensor inside tank 2
I- Side view of the apparatus showing the tanks
II- Plane view of the apparatus
III- The electrical console
Procedures:

1- measure the atmospheric pressure

2- close ball valves V1 and V3
3- open valve V4
4- start the data logger
5- Pressurize the large vessel by switching on the air pump. When P
reaches approximately 30 KN/m^2 (indicated on the display) switch
off the air pump and close valve V4
6- Wait until pressure in the large vessel has stabilized ( P will fall
slightly as the vessel contents cools to room temperature)
7- Record the starting pressure Ps
8- Open then close V1 very rapidly with a snap action to allow a small
amount of air to escape from the vessel
9- Record Pi (accurate instantaneous value can be obtained from the data
logger )

10- Allow the vessel contents to return to ambient temperature then

record the final pressure Pf

Measurements:

Record your results under the following headings

Atmospheric pressure (absolute) Patm …………….kN/m^2

Starting pressure (measured)
Starting pressure (absolute)
Intermediate pressure (measured)
Intermediate pressure (absolute)
Final pressure (measured)
Final pressure (absolute)
Ps………………. kN/m^2
Ps abs …………… kN/m^2 (=Ps +Patm)
Pi………………… kN/m^2
Pi abs …………… kN/m^2 (=Pi +Patm)
Pf………………… kN/m^2
Pf abs …………… kN/m^2 (=Pf +Patm)
Calculations:

Calculate the heat capacity ratio γ (Cp/Cv) for air as followings

γ = (ln Ps – ln Pi)/ (lnPs – ln Pf)

NOTE: All pressures must be absolute

Discussion:

Compare measured value of γ to tabulated one. Comment on your results

taking into consideration possible sources of errors.

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