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3.8. Application of the First Law to the

thermodynamic processes study
In the study of simple thermodynamic processes the working fluid
is considered as perfect gas and the following equations are used:
➢ mathematical expressions of First Law: U = Q1-2 – Wsh,1-2
H = Q1-2 – Wsh,1-2
➢ caloric function equations U = m cv T
H = m cp T
➢ state equation of perfect gas pV=mRT
➢ differential expression of the boundary work δW=p dV
➢ calorimetric expression of heat exchange δQ = m cx dT
3.8.1. Reversible polytropic transformation of p.g. – transf. gen.
= a thermodynamic process during which varies p, T, V, and the
perfect gas changes Q and W with the surrounding.
Reversibility of the process involves:
− exchange of Q to ∞ small difference of T with the surroundings
 (dT);
− exchange of W to ∞ small difference of p with the surroundings
 (dp);
− the composition of the gas remains the same;
− the intermediate states are equilibrium ones;
− there is no friction  Ff  0
a) Equations of the reversible polytropic process
It is considered that a mass specific heat of the polytropic process
can be defined and it is denoted by: cn [J/kg K].
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One can write: δQ = m cn dT

FL for closed system: dU = δQ – δW, where dU = m cv dT
δW = p dV
It results:
m cv dT = m cn dT – p dV or m (cn – cv)dT – p dV = 0
From the state equation of perfect gas in differential form we have:
m dT =(p dV + V dp)/R
 from the last 2 eq. (pdV + V dp) (cn – cv) /R – p dV = 0 /R
According to R. Mayer's relationship we have: R = cp – cv
 (pdV + V dp) (cn – cv) – p dV (cp – cv) = 0
p dV (cn – cv – cp + cv) + Vdp (cn – cv) = 0 /:[(pV) (cn – cv)]
dp cn − c p dV
 + =0
p cn − cv V
cn − c p
Note = n = polytropic exponent, n (-∞, +∞)
cn − cv
dp dV
It results: +n = 0 , or ln p + n ln V = ln ct
p V

pV n = ct or p1V1n = p2V2n
first equation of reversible polytropic process

To derive the second equation, p is eliminated between:

n −1 n −1
pV n = ct  TV n −1 = ct T1V1 = T2V2
pV = mRT p = ct' T/V
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To obtain the third equation, V is eliminated between:

n
 ct ''T 
pV n = ct  p  = ct 
 p 
pV = mRT V = ct'' T/p
T T1 T2
n −1
= ct n −1
= n −1
p n p n
1 p2 n

b) Mechanical work exchange in the polytropic process

ct  V2− n +1 − ct  V1− n +1 p1V1n  V1− n +1 − p2V2n  V2− n +1 p1V1 − p2V2

= = =
− n +1 n −1 n −1

with ct' = p1/n V (from pVn = ct)

Results:
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c) Heat exchange in the polytropic process

According to the adopted assumption: δQ = m cn dT
c − cp
From the expression of the polytropic exponent: n =n
cn − cv
it results:
n−k
cn (n − 1) = n cv − c p si c p = k cv  cn = cv
n −1
n−k
so: Q1-2 = m cv (T2 – T1) [J]
n −1
The relationship between the heat transfer and mechanical work
transfer in the polytropic process:
First Law dU = Q – W


It results:
d) Variation of caloric state properties (functions): U, H
Regardless of the value of the polytropic exponent we have:
Internal energy: dU = m cv dT and U2 – U1 = m cv (T2 – T1)
Enthalpy: dH = m cp dT and H2 – H1 = m cp (T2 – T1)
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3.8.2. Simple processes with perfect gases regarded as particular

cases of the polytropic transformation
By customizing the value of the polytropic exponent n one can
obtain the 4 simple processes: isobaric, isothermal, adiabatic, and
isometric.
Relationships that are used:
pVn = ct; cn = c v ; W1-2 = .....

n=0 pV0 = ct  p = ct
isobaric process
T
a) Equation : TVn-1 = c t TV0-1 = ct  = ct
V
b) Work transfer:
p(V1 − V2 )
p = ct = = p(V2 − V1 ) [J]
0 −1
[J]
c) Heat transfer:
n−k 0−k
Specific heat: cn = cv = cv = k cv = c p [J/kg K]
n −1 0 −1

 Q1-2 = m cn (T2 – T1) = m cp (T2 – T1) = H2 – H1 [J]

d) Caloric state functions :
U2 – U1 = m cv (T2 – T1) [J]
H2 – H1 = m cp (T2 – T1) [J]

n=1 TV1-1 = ct  T = ct isothermal process

a) Equation: pVn = ct  pV 1 = ct  pV = ct
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b) Work transfer:
0
T = ct =
0


as pV = ct = p1 V1 = p2 V2 = mRT1, thus p = ct/V

 [J]

c) Heat transfert
n−k 1− k
specific heat: cn = cv = cv = cT ; cT → 
n −1 1−1
 Q1-2 = m cT (T2 – T1) = 0·∞ indeterminacy !!

Solution = application of First Law: U = Q1-2 – W1-2

but U = m cv (T2 – T1)T = ct =0  Q1-2 = L1-2 [J]

d) Caloric state functions :

U2 – U1 = m cv (T2 – T1) [J]
H2 – H1 = m cp (T2 – T1) [J]
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n=k δQ = 0 adiabatic process

a) Equation: p Vn = ct  p Vk = ct
b) Work transfer:

c) Heat transfer:
n−k k −k
specific heat cn = cv = cv = 0 , cad = 0
n −1 k −1
Q1-2 = m cad (T2 – T1) = 0

n → ∞ p1/n V = ct  V = ct isometric process

T
a) Equation: = ct
p
b) Work transfer:

c) Heat transfer:
n−k
specific heat cn = cv n →  ∞ = cv
n −1
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Q1-2 = m cv (T2 – T1) = U2 – U1

Polytropic specific heat: cn = f(n)
Obs:
cn
1) cn  (-∞, +∞)
cp
2) Only for
cv n  (1, k), cn < 0
0 1 K n
This is the area of
interest for thermal
machines.

Graphical representation of the 5 processes in p - V diagram

n = 0 isobaric process n = 1 isothermal process
p p
1 heating
p1 1
p 1 = p2 2 exp.
c d W1-2
cooling
Wsh,
W1-2
1-2
p2 c compr.
2
a b a b
V1 V2 V V1 V2 V
n=k adiabatic process n →  ∞ isometric process
p p Wsh,
1
p1 d exp. p1 d 1-2 2
cooling
W1-2 heating

p2 c compr.
2 p2 1
a b c a
V1 V2 V V1 = V2 V
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n polytropic transformation
p
1
p1 exp.
d
W1-2

p2 c compr.
2
a b
V1 V2 V