Introduction

Lab 1 experiment is about Recycle Loops Apparatus. The aim of this experiment is to study the effects of
recycle loop on the total mass flow rate of a system, and to examine how the steady flow energy
equations can be applied to a recycle loop. Figure 1 shows the used recycle loop apparatus. In this lab,
only exercise A and D are analyzed and discussed.

Figure 1 Recycle Loop Apparatus

Theory (use lab manual and presentation slides as reference)

Exercise A (Steady State Mass Balance)

The recycle loop apparatus may be simply modelled as a generic system, with an inflow (from the water
supply) and an outflow (to the drain).

Under steady state conditions, for equilibrium, the rate of mass flow entering a system must equal the
rate of mass flow leaving a system. The mass flow rate, Qm, is the mass of fluid passing a point in a given
time. It may be calculated as:

Where
Exercise D (Steady Flow Energy Equation)
The steady flow energy equation may be stated as follows:

and the subscripts 1 and 3 refer to the inlet and the outlet of the control volume respectively (the
control volume can be considered to coincide with temperature sensors T1 and T3). With the TH4
apparatus, some assumptions may be made to simplify this equation: The inlet and outlet are at the
same height, so the potential energy term g(z3 – z1) goes to zero. The system does no work, so the Qw
term becomes negligible. The equation then becomes:

QT may be determined by experiment, by measuring the inlet and outlet flow rates and temperatures,
providing that the pipe diameter at inlet and outlet of the control volume is known.
Method(Please/……)

Exercise A (Steady State Mass Balance)

To vary the flow through a recycle loop, while observing the inlet and outlet flow rates of the whole
system.
Exercise D (Steady Flow Energy Equation)

• Open the inlet valve and the recycle loop valve. Switch on the recycle loop pump and the heater,
and wait for the outlet temperature to reach a steady value.

• Take readings from each of the flow meters and temperature sensors.

• Close the recycle valve a little to reduce the recycle rate, and repeat the readings.

• Continue to close the recycle valve a little at a time, taking readings at each recycle rate.

• Change the flow rate using the inlet valve, and repeat the experiment.

• Continue to close the inlet valve a little at a time, and repeat the experiment until readings have
been obtained for a full range of inlet flow rates.

• Determine the inlet and outlet enthalpies from the temperatures measured, using the reference
table provided in Data Sheet 3 section 14.5. The inlet and outlet velocities may be determined
from the inlet and outlet flow rates and the pipe diameter:

• A value for the pipe diameter at the point of flow measurement has been provided in the
nomenclature. Here, d=0.0081 m

• The inlet mass flow rate may be determined from the inlet flow rate and the inlet flow density.
The density may be found from the inlet temperature, using the reference table provided in
Data Sheet 1 section 14.3.

• QT, the rate of heat transfer, may then be determined.

Results
Exercise A (Steady State Mass Balance)
Tasks
1) Complete Table
The inlet and outlet flow rates are calculated by varying the recycle loop flow rate. The recycle
flow rate is varied from 1L/min to 2.55 L/min and the effect on inlet and outlet flow rates are
calculated against each variation. The results obtained are given in the table below. It can be seen
from the table that the inlet and outlet flow rates are approximately equal when the recycled flow
rate is varied in steady state mass balance.

Inlet Flow Temperature, T = 25 oC = 298.15 K

Density of Water at Inlet = 1000 Kg/m3

Table 1 Results Table

Inlet Recycled Outlet Inlet Flow Recycle Outlet Inlet Flow Recycle Outlet
Flow Loop Flow Rate Loop Flow Flow Rate Rate Loop Flow Flow Rate
Rate Flow Rate Rate Qv1 Rate Qv3 Qm1 Rate Qm3
F1 F2 F3 m^3/s Qv2 m^3/s Kg/s Qm2 Kg/s
l/min l/min l/min m^3/s Kg/s
0.97 1 1 0.000016 0.000017 0.000017 0.016167 0.016667 0.016667
0.97 1.49 0.9 0.000016 0.000025 0.000015 0.016167 0.024833 0.015
0.97 2 0.94 0.000016 0.000033 0.000016 0.016167 0.033333 0.015667
0.97 2.53 0.9 0.000016 0.000042 0.000015 0.016167 0.042167 0.015
0.97 1.97 0.98 0.000016 0.000033 0.000016 0.016167 0.032833 0.016333
1.53 0.97 1.6 0.000026 0.000016 0.000027 0.0255 0.016167 0.026667
1.53 1.6 1.7 0.000026 0.000027 0.000028 0.0255 0.026667 0.028333
1.53 2.05 1.7 0.000026 0.000034 0.000028 0.0255 0.034167 0.028333
1.53 2.55 1.75 0.000026 0.000043 0.000029 0.0255 0.0425 0.029167
1.53 2.9 1.65 0.000026 0.000048 0.000028 0.0255 0.048333 0.0275
2.05 1 2.1 0.000034 0.000017 0.000035 0.034167 0.016667 0.035
2.05 1.49 2.11 0.000034 0.000025 0.000035 0.034167 0.024833 0.035167
2.05 2 2.15 0.000034 0.000033 0.000036 0.034167 0.033333 0.035833
2.05 2.53 2.08 0.000034 0.000042 0.000035 0.034167 0.042167 0.034667
2.05 2.97 2.09 0.000034 0.000050 0.000035 0.034167 0.0495 0.034833
2.57 0.97 2.67 0.000043 0.000016 0.000045 0.042833 0.016167 0.0445
2.57 1.6 2.78 0.000043 0.000027 0.000046 0.042833 0.026667 0.046333
2.57 2.05 2.6 0.000043 0.000034 0.000043 0.042833 0.034167 0.043333
2.57 2.55 2.65 0.000043 0.000043 0.000044 0.042833 0.0425 0.044167
2.57 2.9 2.59 0.000043 0.000048 0.000043 0.042833 0.048333 0.043167
 2) Effect of Recycle mass flow rate on inlet and outlet mass flow rate

It can be seen from the above table that the values of inlet flow rate and outlet flow rate are very
close to each other even when the recycle flow rate is varied. This is in agreement with the
theory that when the recycled mass flow rate is increased, the inlet mass flow rate and outlet
mass flow rate remain approximately equal to each other. The slight variation in the values is
because of the experimentation errors or any errors present in the equipment. The variation in
inlet and outlet mass flow rates for a particular value of inlet, and by varying the recycle mass
flow rate is given in the figure below.

Inlet and Outlet Mass FLow rate Vs Recyle Mass Flow

Rate
0.036

0.0355
inelt/Outlet Mass Flow Rate

0.035

0.0345

0.034
Inlet Flow Rate Outlet Flow Rate
Qm1 Qm3
0.0335 Kg/s Kg/s

0.033

Recycle Mass Flow Rate

Figure 2 Effect of Recycle mass flow rate on inlet and outlet mass flow rate
3) Inlet Flow Rate Vs Outlet Flow Rate Graph
The graph of inlet flow rate againt outlet flow rate is given below. It can be seen from the graph
that as the inlet flow rate is increased the outlet flow rate also increases. The figure 4 shows the
variation in the outlet mass flow rate with an increase in the inlet mass flow rate. The comparison
graph in figure 4 also demonstrates that the outlet mass flow rate increases with increase in the
inlet mass flow rate.
 Inlet Vs Outlet FLow Rate
0.05
Outlet Flow Rate (Kg/s) 0.045
0.04
0.035
0.03
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
0
0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04 0.045

Inlet Flow Rate (Kg/s)

Figure 3 Effect of Inlet flow rate on outlet Flow Rate

Comparison Between Inlet and Outlet Flow Rates

0.1 Inlet Flow Rate Outlet Flow Rate
Qm1 Qm3
0.09 Kg/s Kg/s
0.08
0.07
0.06
Flow Rate

0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
1 2 3 4
Number of Flows

Figure 4 Comparison between the Inlet and Outlet Mass Flow Rate

Conclusion
In this experiment, the effect of recycle loop on the inlet and outlet mass flow rate under steady
state conditions is studied. The results showed that the inlet flow rates are approximately equal to
the outlet flow rates when the mass of the recylce loop is varied. The inlet flow rate was varied
from 0.97L/min to 2.55L/min, and different outlet flow rate readings are taken for every 0.5
L/min increment in the inlet flow rate value. The inlet and outlet mass flow rates for all the cases
remain equal. It is also investigated that the slight difference between the inlet and outlet mass
flow rates in because of the errors in taking the readings or may be because of appratus errors.
Exercise D (Steady Flow Energy Equation)
Tasks
1) Complete Table
The complete table is given below:

Inlet Flow Temperature, T = 25 oC = 298.15 K

Density of Water at Inlet = 1000 Kg/m3

Recycle Recycle
Inlet d Loop Outlet Inlet Loop Outlet
Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Inlet Recycle Out
Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate temperature temperature temperature
F1 F2 F3 Qv1 Qv2 Qv3 T1 Degree T2 Degree T3 Degree
l/min l/min l/min m^3/s m^3/s m^3/s Celsius Celsius Celsius
2.97 2.9 3.01 0.000050 0.000048 0.000050 24.8 43.2 35.5
2.97 2.59 2.99 0.000050 0.000043 0.000050 24.8 43.5 36.2
2.97 2.15 3.15 0.000050 0.000036 0.000053 24.8 43 49.9
2.97 1.59 3.09 0.000050 0.000027 0.000052 24.8 43.4 40.1
2.97 0.98 3 0.000050 0.000016 0.000050 24.8 44 39.8
2.5 2.89 2.6 0.000042 0.000048 0.000043 24.8 48.5 24
2.5 2.6 2.55 0.000042 0.000043 0.000043 24.8 48.9 48.8
2.5 1.99 2.47 0.000042 0.000033 0.000041 24.8 49.3 49.3
2.5 1.49 2.75 0.000042 0.000025 0.000046 24.8 43 48.9
2.5 0.99 2.59 0.000042 0.000017 0.000043 24.8 44 47
1.99 2.97 2.1 0.000033 0.000050 0.000035 24.8 44.5 35.5
1.99 2.53 2.11 0.000033 0.000042 0.000035 24.8 44.5 35.4
1.99 2 2.15 0.000033 0.000033 0.000036 24.8 44.5 35
1.99 1.49 2.08 0.000033 0.000025 0.000035 24.8 44.5 36
1.99 1 2.09 0.000033 0.000017 0.000035 24.8 44.5 36.2
1.5 2.9 1.65 0.000025 0.000048 0.000028 24.8 52.9 40.1
1.5 2.55 1.6 0.000025 0.000043 0.000027 24.8 52.9 42.3
1.5 2.05 1.7 0.000025 0.000034 0.000028 24.8 52.9 44
1.5 1.6 1.49 0.000025 0.000027 0.000025 24.8 52.9 38
1.5 0.97 1.75 0.000025 0.000016 0.000029 24.8 52.9 39.8
0.96 2.97 1 0.000016 0.000050 0.000017 24.8 55.3 49.3
 Inlet Outlet Heat
Inlet Outlet Velocity Velocity Mass Flow Transfer
Enthalpy Enthalpy Diameter Area of Pipe U1 U3 Rate Rate
h1 KJ/Kg h3 KJ/Kg of Pipe m A m/s m/s Qm (Kg/s) QT
107.49 150.71 0.0081 0.000052 0.961093 0.974037 0.0495 -2.13877
107.49 151.53 0.0081 0.000052 0.961093 0.967565 0.0495 -2.17967
107.49 209.33 0.0081 0.000052 0.961093 1.019341 0.0495 -5.03822
107.49 175.18 0.0081 0.000052 0.961093 0.999925 0.0495 -3.34877
107.49 165.9 0.0081 0.000052 0.961093 0.970801 0.0495 -2.89083
107.49 101.68 0.0081 0.000052 0.809001 0.841361 0.041667 0.243196
107.49 203.27 0.0081 0.000052 0.809001 0.825181 0.041667 -3.99028
107.49 207.85 0.0081 0.000052 0.809001 0.799293 0.041667 -4.18199
107.49 204.17 0.0081 0.000052 0.809001 0.889901 0.041667 -4.02547
107.49 196 0.0081 0.000052 0.809001 0.838125 0.041667 -3.68692
107.49 150.71 0.0081 0.000052 0.643965 0.679561 0.033167 -1.43268
107.49 150.16 0.0081 0.000052 0.643965 0.682797 0.033167 -1.41437
107.49 149.26 0.0081 0.000052 0.643965 0.695741 0.033167 -1.38422
107.49 151.21 0.0081 0.000052 0.643965 0.673089 0.033167 -1.44941
107.49 151.53 0.0081 0.000052 0.643965 0.676325 0.033167 -1.45995
107.49 175.18 0.0081 0.000052 0.485401 0.533941 0.025 -1.69163
107.49 179.87 0.0081 0.000052 0.485401 0.517761 0.025 -1.80909
107.49 184.25 0.0081 0.000052 0.485401 0.550121 0.025 -1.91816
107.49 159.18 0.0081 0.000052 0.485401 0.482165 0.025 -1.29229
107.49 165.9 0.0081 0.000052 0.485401 0.566301 0.025 -1.45919
107.49 207.85 0.0081 0.000052 0.310656 0.3236 0.016 -1.60569
107.49 207.14 0.0081 0.000052 0.310656 0.29124 0.016 -1.59449
107.49 200.97 0.0081 0.000052 0.310656 0.304184 0.016 -1.49571

2) graph of rate of heat transfer rate against recycle rate

 Recycle Rate vs Heat Transfer Rate
0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
-1
Heat Transfer Rate
-2

-3

-4

-5

-6

Recycle Rate (L/min)

Figure 5 Graph of effect of Recycle rate on heat transfer rate

The graph given in figure 1, has been plotted between heat transfer rate versus recycle flow rate
(L/min). It has been observed from the graph that when value of recycle loop flow rate is high
then heat transfer rate is also at its maximum value by keeping the inlet flow rate constant, but
when recycle loop flow rate is at 2.15 L/min then heat transfer becomes gives minimum value of
heat transfer and after this critical value of recycle rate heat transfer rate again starts increasing
with further reduction in recycle loop flow rate, thus showing that there is an indirect relationship
between the two variables.

The possible reason for this irregular behavior of heat transfer by decreasing recycle flow rate is
that when, initially, value of recycle loop flow rate is maximum then more recycled water which
is already hot comes in contact with cold water and it has an opportunity to be in a more longer
contact with the cold water before getting heated in the heater thus heat transfer rate is higher at
this value. But when recycle rate is minimum then comparatively less amount of hot recycled
water comes in contact with the cold water so heat transfer rate is low. Moreover, the irregularity
in the trend at 2.15 L/min recycle flow rate, is due to human error and frictional losses, otherwise
the heat transfer rate should decrease directly with decreasing the recycle rate.

3) Discussion on the Assumptions:

The steady state flow energy equation is given as:
1 2 2
QT – QW = Qm [(h3 – h1) + (u −u ) + g(z3 – z1)]
2 3 1
Assumptions:
There were two assumption made for this equation which are:

 Both the inlet as well as outlet are at the same level so potential energy term (z3 – z1)
becomes zero.
 As the system does not perform any work, so Qw is neglected and the equation becomes:
1 2 2
QT = Qm [(h3 – h1) + (u3−u1)]
2

As potential energy is dependent on the height, when height increases then potential energy starts
increasing as well. In the above-mentioned equation it has been assumed that the height is same
at both the inlet as well as outlet so the variation in potential energy is zero and potential energy
term (z3 – z1) becomes zero too.

Validity: The validity of this assumption is affected if both the inlet and outlet are at different
height.

Furthermore, work is performed by a system only when it exerts some forces on its surroundings
or show any movement. In this experiment, the system is not showing any sort of movement or
does not have any mechanical part in its setup which can perform work, so the work done by the
system is zero. That’s why, the term Qw is neglected in the above equation of heat transfer.

Validity: Validity of this assumption is affected only, if system possess any mechanical part and
it performs work on its surroundings.

Factors Not Considered:

These are the following factors which can affect the results, and these have not been considered
in the equation:
 Frictional effects
 Human error
 Apparatus limitations
 Heat loses

Conclusion:
It has been concluded that by decreasing the recycle loop flow rate, heat transfer rate decreases
but there were multiple factors due to the which trend was achieved with little bit errors.
Moreover, there were multiple factors such as frictional losses, heat losses and human error
which affect the performance of the above experiment which were neglected during calculations.
Sample Calculations
Experiment A
Raw Data
Inlet Flow Rate Recycled Loop Outlet Flow Rate
F1 Flow Rate F3
l/min F2 l/min
l/min
0.97 1 1
0.97 1.49 0.9
0.97 2 0.94
0.97 2.53 0.9
0.97 1.97 0.98
1.53 0.97 1.6
1.53 1.6 1.7
1.53 2.05 1.7
1.53 2.55 1.75
1.53 2.9 1.65
2.05 1 2.1
2.05 1.49 2.11
2.05 2 2.15
2.05 2.53 2.08
2.05 2.97 2.09
2.57 0.97 2.67
2.57 1.6 2.78
2.57 2.05 2.6
2.57 2.55 2.65
2.57 2.9 2.59

Set of Equations
F
Volumetric Flow Rate, Qv =
60,000
Mass Flow Rate, Q= ρQ v
Sample Calculations
For, Inlet Flow rate F1 = 0.97 l/min
Recycled Loop Flow Rate = 2.53 L/min
Outlet Flow Rate =0.9 L/min
Inlet Volumetric Flow Rate, Q v 1
0.97
Q v 1= = 0.000016 m3/s
60,000
Inlet Mass Flow Rate
Qm 1=ρ Qv 1 = 1000 * 0.000016
 Qm 1=0.016167 Kg/s
Recycled Loop Flow Rate F2 = 2.53 L/min
2.53
Q v 2= = 0.000042 m3/s
60,000
Recycled Mass Flow Rate
Qm 2= ρQ v2 = 1000 * 0.000042
Qm 1=0.042 Kg/s
Outlet Flow Rate F3 = 0.9
0.9
Q v 1= = 0.000017 m3/s
60,000
Inlet Mass Flow Rate
Qm 2= ρQ v1 = 1000 * 0.000017
Qm 2=0.016667 Kg/s
Sample Calculation 2
Inlet Flow rate F1 = 0.97 l/min
Recycled Loop Flow Rate = 1.49 L/min
Outlet Flow Rate =0.9 L/min
Inlet Mass Flow Rate
Qm 1=ρ Qv 1 = 1000 * 0.000016
Qm 1=0.016167 Kg/s
Recycled Loop Flow Rate 1.49 L/min
1.49
Q v 2= = 0.000025 m3/s
60,000
Recycled Mass Flow Rate
Qm 2= ρQ v2 = 1000 * 0.000025
Qm 2=0.025 Kg/s
Outlet Flow Rate 0.9
0.9
Q v 3= = 0.000017 m3/s
60,000
Outlet Mass Flow Rate
Qm 3= ρQ v3 = 1000 * 0.000017
Qm 3=0.016667 Kg/s
Experiment D
Raw Data
Inlet Flow Rate Recycled Loop Outlet Flow Rate F3
F1 Flow Rate l/min
l/min F2
l/min

2.97 2.9 3.01

2.97 2.59 2.99
2.97 2.15 3.15
2.97 1.59 3.09
2.97 0.98 3
2.5 2.89 2.6
2.5 2.6 2.55
2.5 1.99 2.47
2.5 1.49 2.75
2.5 0.99 2.59
1.99 2.97 2.1
1.99 2.53 2.11
1.99 2 2.15
1.99 1.49 2.08
1.99 1 2.09
1.5 2.9 1.65
1.5 2.55 1.6
1.5 2.05 1.7
1.5 1.6 1.49
1.5 0.97 1.75
0.96 2.97 1
0.96 2.53 0.9
0.96 2 0.94

Set of Equations
F
Volumetric Flow Rate, Qv =
60,000
Mass Flow Rate, Q= ρQ v
Qv
Velocity, U=
A

Energy Equation, [
Q t −Q w =Qm ( h3−h 1) +
1 2
( u −u12 ) + g(z 3 −z1 )
2 3 ]
Sample Calculations
Inlet Flow rate, F1 = 2.5 L/min
Recycled Flow Rate, F2 = 2.89 L/min
Outlet Flow Rate, F3 = 2.6 l/min
Inlet Flow Rate
2.5
Q v 1= = 0.000042 m3/s
60,000
Inlet Mass Flow Rate
Qm 1=ρ Qv 1 = 1000 * 0.000042
Q m 1=¿ 0.041667 Kg/s
Recycled Flow Rate
2.89
Q v 2= = 0.000048 m3/s
60,000
Outlet Flow Rate
2.6
Q v 3= = 0.000043 m3/s
60,000
Inlet Temperature, T1 = 24.8 C
Recycle temperature T2 = 48.5 C
Outlet temperature, T3 = 24 C
Inlet Enthalpy, h1 = 107.49 KJ/Kg
Outlet Enthalpy, h3 = 101.68 KJ/Kg
2
d
Area of Pipe = A=π
4
Diameter, d = 0.0081
2
3.14∗0.0081
Area, A= = 0.000052 m2
4
Inlet Velocity, U1
QV 1 0.000050
U 1= = = 0.80 m/s
A 0.000052
Outlet Velocity, U3
QV 3 0.000043
U 1= = = 0.84 m/s
A 0.000052
Heat Transfer Rate

[ 1
Q t =0.041667 ( 101.68−107.49 )+ ( 0.84 −0.80 )
2
2 2
]
Qt =0.243J/s
Sample Calculations 2
Inlet Flow rate, F1 = 1.5 L/min
Recycled Flow Rate, F2 = 1.6 L/min
Outlet Flow Rate, F3 = 1.49 l/min
Inlet Flow Rate
1.5
Q v 1= = 0.000025 m3/s
60,000
Inlet Mass Flow Rate
Qm 1=ρ Qv 1 = 1000 * 0.000025
Qm 1=¿ 0.025 kg/s
Recycled Flow Rate
1.6
Q v 2= = 0.000027 m3/s
60,000
Outlet Flow Rate
1.49
Q v 3= = 0.000025 m3/s
60,000
Inlet Temperature, T1 = 24.8 C
Recycle temperature, T2 = 52.9 C
Outlet temperature, T3 = 38 C
Inlet Enthalpy, h1 = 107.49 KJ/Kg
Outlet Enthalpy, h3 = 159.18 KJ/Kg
3.14∗0.00812
Area, A= = 0.000052 m2
4
Inlet Velocity, U1
QV 1 0.000025
U 1= = = 0.485 m/s
A 0.000052
Outlet Velocity, U3
QV 3 0.000025
U 2= = = 0.482 m/s
A 0.000052
Heat Transfer Rate

[ 1
Qt =0.041667 ( 101.68−159.18 )+ ( 0.4822−0.4852 )
2 ]
Q t =−1.29J/s