Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani – Pilani Campus

Semester-I, 2020-21
BITS F111 Thermodynamics: Comprehensive Examination
(Open Book)

Date: 17/02/2021 Day: Wednesday

Duration: 2 Hrs Maximum Marks: 100

Part-A: Multiple Choice Questions

Instructions: 
 Choose the most appropriate answer (nearest in magnitude).
 This section contains negative marking with a penalty of 25% in each
question.
 No answer sheet is to be uploaded for Part-A. Part-B answer sheets are to be
uploaded after the exam (additional 30 min would be provided).
 Marks corresponding to each question are displayed on the screen.

1. Consider a dolphin at 5 m below the free surface of ocean. What would be the [2]
increase in the exerted pressure on the dolphin when it dives to a further depth of
20 m below the free surface of ocean. Consider the density of ocean to be 1020
m3/kg.
a) 150 kPa
b) 200 kPa
c) 500 kPa
d) 250 kPa

Correct Answer: (a) 150 kPa

ρ=1020 m3/kg, g = 9.807 m/s2, Δh = 15 m
ΔP=1020 x 9.807 x 15
=150.05 kPa

2. The average ambient temperature of a location is 10oC. You want a room to be [2]
maintained at 25oC. Then the maximum value of COP for the heat pump which
will serve your purpose will be:
a) 0.08
b) 19.88
c) 0.05
d) 18.88

Correct Answer: (b) 19.88

Solution:
COPmax=QH/W=1/[1-(TL/TH)] = 19.88

3. The area under the curve on T-S diagram represents: [2]

a) heat transfer for adiabatic process
 b) heat transfer for reversible process
c) heat transfer for irreversible process
d) Work transfer for reversible process

Correct Answer: (b) heat transfer for reversible process

Refer fig. 8.8 (Textbook)

4. A unit mass of an ideal gas at temperature T undergoes a reversible isothermal [2]

process from pressure P1 to pressure P2 while losing q amount of heat to the
surroundings at temperature T. The entropy change of the gas Δs during this
process will be equal to:
a) R ln(P2/P1)
b) R ln(P2/P1) − q/T
c) R ln(P1/P2)
d) Zero

Correct Answer: (c) R ln(P1/P2)

Refer eqn. 8.16 (Textbook) at isothermal condition.

5. In which of the following control mass processes the entropy change will be [3]
negative:
a) Air expands isothermally from 6 bar to 3 bar
b) Air is compressed to half the volume at constant pressure
c) Heat is supplied to air at constant volume till the pressure becomes three folds
d) Air expands isentropically from 6 bar to 3 bar

Correct Answer: (b) Air is compressed to half the volume at constant

pressure
Explanation:
a) Air expands isothermally from 6 bar to 3 bar
𝑇2 𝑃1
∆𝑠 = 𝑐𝑣 𝑙𝑛 [ ] + 𝑅𝑙𝑛 [ ] = 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒
𝑇1 𝑃2
b) Air is compressed to half the volume at constant pressure
𝑇2 𝑣2 𝑇2 𝑣2
∆𝑠 = 𝑐𝑣 𝑙𝑛 [ ] + 𝑅𝑙𝑛 [ ] = 𝑐𝑣 𝑙𝑛 [ ] + (𝑐𝑝 − 𝑐𝑣 )𝑙𝑛 [ ]
𝑇1 𝑣1 𝑇1 𝑣1
𝑇2 𝑣1 𝑣2
= 𝑐𝑣 𝑙𝑛 [𝑇 × 𝑣 ] + 𝑐𝑝 𝑙𝑛 [𝑣 ];
1 2 1
𝑣2 𝑃2
= 𝑐𝑝 𝑙𝑛 [𝑣 ] + 𝑐𝑣 𝑙𝑛 [𝑃 ]=negative
1 1
c) Heat is supplied to air at constant volume till the pressure becomes three folds
𝑇2 𝑣2 𝑇2 𝑣2
∆𝑠 = 𝑐𝑣 𝑙𝑛 [ ] + 𝑅𝑙𝑛 [ ] = 𝑐𝑣 𝑙𝑛 [ ] + (𝑐𝑝 − 𝑐𝑣 )𝑙𝑛 [ ]
𝑇1 𝑣1 𝑇1 𝑣1
𝑇2 𝑣1 𝑣2
= 𝑐𝑣 𝑙𝑛 [𝑇 × 𝑣 ] + 𝑐𝑝 𝑙𝑛 [𝑣 ];
1 2 1
𝑣2 𝑃2
= 𝑐𝑝 𝑙𝑛 [𝑣 ] + 𝑐𝑣 𝑙𝑛 [𝑃 ]=positive
1 1
d) Air expands isentropically from 6 bar to 3 bar

6. A high temperature reservoir at 600oC is brought into thermal communication [3]

with a lower temperature reservoir at 300oC, and as a result 3000 kJ of heat
transferred from the high to the low temperature reservoir. Determine the change
 in entropy (magnitude only) of the universe due to the heat exchange process
between the two reservoirs.
a) 29 kJ/K
b) 1.798 kJ/K
c) 369 kJ/K
d) 3789 kJ/K

Correct Answer: (b) 1.798 kJ/K

Proof: ΔS = QH/TH + QL/TL
= 3000/ (600+273.15) +(- 3000)/ (300+273.15) = 1.798 kJ/K

7. Two reversible refrigerators A and B are in series. The COP of A (between TH and [5]
TM) is 3 and B (between TM and TL) is 4. The COP of reversible refrigerator
working between TH and TL system is:
(Note: TM is an intermediate temperature between TH and TL)
a) 1.5
b) 3
c) 4
d) 2.25

Correct Answer: (a) 1.5

Solution:
Refrigerator A Refrigerator B
𝑇𝑀 𝑇𝐿
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐴 =3 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐵 =4
𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝑀 𝑇𝑀 − 𝑇𝐿
1 1
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐴 = 3; 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐴 = 4;
𝑇𝐻 𝑇𝑀
− 1 − 1
𝑇𝑀 𝑇𝐿
𝑇𝐻 𝑇𝑀
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐴 −1 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐴 −1
𝑇𝑀 𝑇𝐿
1 𝑇𝐻 4 1 𝑇𝑀 5
= ; = = ; =
3 𝑇𝑀 3 4 𝑇𝐿 4
Combine COP
1 1
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟, 𝐶𝑜𝑃 = = = 1.5;
𝑇𝐻 5
𝑇𝐿 − 1 3−1

8. The refrigerant R-134a leaves the condenser at a temperature of 35oC as saturated [5]
liquid. It is then throttled to 101.3 kPa with negligible change in kinetic and
potential energy. Find the quality of the refrigerant before entering the evaporator
section of the refrigeration unit.
a. 0.3850
b. 0
c. 0.1023
d. 0.2453

Correct Answer: (a) 0.3850

Psat@35 oc = 887.6 kPa
During throttling, enthalpy remains constant. h1=h2
h1=hf@35oc = 249.1 kJ/kg = h2
 For 101.3 kPa, hf2=165.8, hg2=382.16
Hence, state 2 is in two phase region.
h1=h2=249.1=165.8+x(382.16-165.8)x=0.3850

9. 15 MJ of heat is given to a constant pressure piston cylinder assembly which [5]

initially contains 2000 kg of saturated liquid water at 1 MPa. Evaluate the mass of
saturated vapor (in kg) at the final state.
a. 7.4
b. 3.7
c. 0
d. 8.3

Correct Answer: (a) 7.4

Solution:
δQ=ΔH
1Q2=H2-H1 H2=1Q2+H1
h1=hf @ 1000 kPa
Therefore, H2=15000 + 2000 x 762.79=1540580 kJ or h2=770.29 kJ/kg
Since, hf<h2<hg at 1000 kPa (constant pressure), the final state is saturated
mixture.
Therefore, 1Q2=m(h2-h1) 15000 = 2000 x [(hf + x hfg)- h1]
= 2000 x [(762.79+ x 2015.29) - 762.79]
 x = 7.5/2015.29 = 0.0037
 mass of saturated vapor= 0.0037 X 2000 kg = 7.4 kg

10. A reversible heat engine converts 1/6th of the heat input to work. When the [7]
temperature of the sink is reduced by 70oC its efficiency is doubled. The initial
temperature of the source and sink are:
a) 420K, 350K
b) 2059 K, 1716 K
c)750K 375K
d)1345.7K 578.75K

Correct Answer: (b) 2059 K, 1716 K

Solution:
𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿 1 𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿 + 343.15 1
= ; =
𝑇𝐻 6 𝑇𝐻 3
6𝑇𝐻 − 6𝑇𝐿 = 𝑇𝐻 3𝑇𝐻 − 3𝑇𝐿 + 1029.45 = 𝑇𝐻
5𝑇𝐻 − 6𝑇𝐿 = 0 − − − − − (1) 2𝑇𝐻 − 3𝑇𝐿 = −1029.45 − − −
− −(2)
Solving equation 1 and 2 TH= 2058.9 K and TL=1715.75 K

11. A solar energy collector receives solar energy at a rate of 0.6 kW/m 2, transforms [7]
it to the internal energy of the working fluid at an overall efficiency of 50%. The
fluid is heated to 350 K is used to run a heat engine which rejects heat at 315 K.
If the heat engine is to deliver 2.5 kW power, determine the minimum area of the
solar collector required.
a) 83.33 m2
b) 16.66 m2
c)39.68 m2
 d) 79.36 m2

Correct Answer: (a) 83.33

Solution:
𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿 350 − 315 𝑊
= = 0.1 =
𝑇𝐻 350 𝑄
25
𝑄 = 25 𝑘𝑊; 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = = 83.33 𝑚2
0.3

12. A refrigerator is driven by waste heat from a source at 393 K instead of work. It [7]
moves heat from a cold storage at 268 K to the environment at 300 K. How much
heat (the limiting value) the refrigerator should receive at 393 K per unit of heat
absorbed at 268 K?
a) 0.1
b) 0.3
c) 0.5
d) 3

Correct Answer: (c) 0.5

Proof:
Let Q1 be the heat supplied by the source at 393 K, Q2 be the heat moved from
268 K cold storage and Q3 be the heat dumped to the ambient at 300 K.
Now, first law gives: Q1 + Q2 = Q3
Second law (Clausius Inequality) gives: (Q2/268) + (Q1/393) - (Q3/300) <= 0
Therefore, Q1/Q2 <= (268-1 – 300-1) / (300-1 – 393-1) <= 0.504

Part-B: Subjective Type Questions

1. The following steam turbine uses 30 kg/s of water. The
pump requires 0.5 MW input power and raises the
pressure of the working fluid to 10 MPa. Water enters
the economizer at 40°C where it is heated to 200°C while
the pressure drops by 200 kPa. The steam generator
produces superheated vapor at 600°C and 5 MPa. The
temperature of water at exit from the turbine is 30°C. The
condenser withdraws heat at the rate of 50 kW without
significant change in the temperature. Calculate the
following:
a) The rate of heat supply in the economizer (kW) [4]
b) The rate of heat supply in steam generator (kW) [4]
c) The turbine shaft power (kW) [4]
d) The pressure at the exit from the turbine (kPa) [4]
e) The quality at the exit from the condenser (up to four decimal places). [3]

Solution:
Mass flow rate, m = 30 kg/s

State 1: (From Table B.1.4)

 P1 = 10000 kPa, T1 = 40°C
h1 = 176.36 kJ/kg

State 2: (From Table B.1.4)

T2 = 200°C, P2 = P1 – 200 = 9800 kPa

Interpolation is required to calculate h2,

At 200°C, 5000 kPa: h = 853.85 kJ/kg and at 200°C, 10000 kPa: h = 855.97 kJ/kg
Pa = 5000 kPa, ha = 853.85 kJ/kg and Pb = 10000 kPa, hb = 855.97 kJ/kg
Therefore, h2 = ha + (hb – ha) / (Pb – Pa)(P2 – Pa) = 855.885 kJ/kg

State 3: (From Table B.1.3)

P3 = 5000 kPa, T3 = 600°C
h3 = 3666.47 kJ/kg

Heat supplied in the economizer, Qe = m (h2 – h1) = 20385.76 kW -----[4]

Heat supplied in the steam generator, Qs = m (h3 – h2) = 84317.54 kW -----[4]
Heat absorbed by the condenser, Qc = 50 kW
Work required by the pump, Wp = 500 kW

Rate of Work done by the turbine (Turbine shaft power), by first law,
Wt = Qs + Qe - Qc + Wp = 105153.3 kW -----[4]

State 4: From Table B.1.1

T4 = 30°C, hf = 125.77 kJ/kg, hfg = 2430.48 kJ/kg
Enthalpy in state 4, h4 = h3 - (Wt / m) = 161.36 kJ/kg
hf < h4 < hfg
Therefore, the pressure is saturation pressure at T4 i.e. P4 = 4.246 kPa -----[4]

State 5: (From Table B.1.1)

T = 30°C, hf = 125.77 kJ/kg, hfg = 2430.48 kJ/kg
h5 = h4 - (Qc / m) = 159.69 kJ/kg
x5 = (h5 - hf) / hfg = 0.01396 -----[3]

2. A balloon ‘A’ initially contains 0.65 m3 of Helium gas at atmospheric conditions of

100 kPa and 295 K. The balloon is connected by a valve to a rigid tank ‘B’ of volume
2 m3 that supplies Helium gas at 500 kPa and 300 K. Now the valve is opened and the
Helium is allowed to enter the balloon until the pressure of balloon reaches to 150 kPa,
the valve is then closed. The Helium temperature in the tank during the process is
maintained constant by an electric resistance heater. The material of the balloon is such
that the volume increases linearly with pressure. If no heat transfer takes place during
the process, determine:
a) The balloon work done during the process (in kJ) [6]
b) The final temperature of the Helium in the balloon (in K) [6]
c) The mass of Helium (in kg) entered in the balloon [5]
d) The amount of electric work done (in kJ) on the Helium in the tank [8]

Solution:
𝑃1 𝑃2 𝑃2 150
= 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉2 = × 𝑉1 = × 0.65 = 0.975𝑚3
𝑉1 𝑉2 𝑃1 100
 𝑃1 × 𝑉1 100 × 0.65 𝑃2 × 𝑉2 150 × 0.975
𝑚1 = = = 0.1060 𝑘𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚2 = =
𝑅 × 𝑇1 2.0771 × 295 𝑅 × 𝑇2 2.0771 × 𝑇2
70.4167
=
𝑇2
First law applied to the balloon
1 𝑄2 + 𝑚𝑖 ℎ𝑖 = 1 𝑊2 + 𝑚𝑒 ℎ𝑒 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 − 𝑚1 𝑢1 ∴ (𝑚2 − 𝑚1 )𝐶𝑃0 𝑇𝑖 = 1 𝑊2 +
𝑚2 𝑢2 − 𝑚1 𝑢1
1
1 𝑊2 = 2 (𝑃1 + 𝑃2 )+(𝑉2 − 𝑉1)=40.625 kJ -----[6]
70.4167
( − 0.1060) × 5.193 × 300
𝑇2
70.4167
= × 3.116 × 𝑇2 − 0.1060 × 3.116 × 295 + 40.625
𝑇2
∴ 𝑇2 = 𝟑𝟑𝟒. 𝟕𝟐𝑲 -----[6]
Now 𝑚2 = 70.4167⁄334.72 = 0.21036𝑘𝑔
𝑚𝑖 = (𝑚2 − 𝑚1 ) = 0.21036 − 0.1060 = 0.10437𝑘𝑔 -----[5]
First law applied to the tank
As mi of balloon is me of tank so 𝑚𝑒 = 0.10437𝑘𝑔
1 𝑄2 + 𝑚𝑖 ℎ𝑖 = 1 𝑊2 + 𝑚𝑒 ℎ𝑒 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 − 𝑚1 𝑢1
Now above equation becomes
0 = −1 𝑊2,𝑒𝑙𝑒 + 𝑚𝑒 ℎ𝑒 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 − 𝑚1 𝑢1
1 𝑊2,𝑒𝑙𝑒 = 𝑚𝑒 ℎ𝑒 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 − 𝑚1 𝑢1
Since u2=u1 and m2-m1=me 𝑠𝑜 1 𝑊2,𝑒𝑙𝑒 = 𝑚𝑒 ℎ𝑒 + (𝑚2 − 𝑚1 )𝑢 ∴
1 𝑊2,𝑒𝑙𝑒 = 𝑚𝑒 (ℎ𝑒 + 𝑢)

1 𝑊2,𝑒𝑙𝑒 = 𝑚𝑒 × (𝐶𝑃0 + 𝐶𝑣0 ) × 𝑇 ∴ 1 𝑊2,𝑒𝑙𝑒

= 0.10437(5.193 + 3.116) × 300
𝟏 𝑾𝟐,𝑒𝑙𝑒 = 𝟐𝟔𝟎. 𝟏𝟔 𝒌𝑱 -----[8]

3. Consider the system shown in the Figure.

Initially, part A contains 0.85 kg water with a
volume of 0.5 m3 at 100 kPa and part B contains
an equal volume of Helium (0.5 m3), which is
maintained at 25 °C by exchanging heat with
ambient. The whole assembly is well insulated
(including piston 1 and 2) except the bottom of
part A and the right side of part B. It is given
that piston 2 (area = 0.1 m2) will start to lift off
when the volume of Helium becomes 0.25 m3.
Water is heated from a source (as shown in
figure) until Helium reaches 400 kPa pressure. The property values can be rounded off
to avoid interpolations from the table, if required.
Determine:
a) The float pressure (kPa) of piston-2. [3]
b) Whether the piston-2 is at the upper stops in the final state? (Yes/No) [2]
c) The final temperature of Water (°C) [3]
d) Work done by Water on piston-2 (kJ) [3]
e) Work done by Water on piston-1 (kJ) [4]
f) Heat supplied to Water during the process (kJ) [4]
g) Change in entropy of Water (kJ/K) [3]
h) Change in the entropy of Helium (kJ/K) [3]

Solution

Note: at P2 = 200 kPa and v2 = 0.75/0.85 m3/kg = 0.88235 m3/kg

⇒ water is close to saturated vapor (vg@200kPa = 0.88573 m3/kg)
Initial States
Part A (saturated liq-vapor mixture) Part (Ideal gas)
PA1 = 100 kPa, vA1 = 0.5/0.85 = 0.58824 PB1 = 100 kPa, VB1 = 0.5 m3, TB1
m3/kg = 25 C
TA1 = Tsat@100 kPa = 99.62 C m = PV/RT =
v − vf 0.58824 − 0.001043 100*0.5/(2.0771*298.15)
xA1 = =
vfg 1.69296 ⇒ m = 0.0807 kg
= 0.34684
uA1 = uf + xufg = 417.33 +
0.34684*2088.72 = 1141.78 kJ/kg
sA1 = sf + xsfg = 1.3025 + 0.34684*6.0568
= 3.4032 kJ/kg-K

a) The float pressure of piston-2 and its position in the final state.
It is given that piston-2 will start to lift off when the volume in part-B is 0.25 m3.
VB2 = 0.25 m3 ⇒ PB2 = 200 kPa (isothermal process for ideal gas PV = constant)
Thus, Pfloat = 200 kPa. -----[3]

b & c) The final temperature (state 4) of water, in °C.

Part A (superheated vapor) Part (Ideal gas)
PA4 = 400 kPa (same as final pressure of Helium) PB4 = 400 kPa,
Since PA4>Pfloat, Yes, the piston-2 will be at the upper VB4 = VB1/4 =
stops. -----[2] 0.125 m3
 VA4 = 0.5 + 0.1*1.76637 + (0.5-0.125) m3 (piston-2 is at
the upper stops)
⇒ VA4 = 1.051637 m3
⇒ vA4 = 1.051637/0.85 = 1.23722 m3/kg
⇒ TA4 = 800 ℃ -----[3]
uA4 = 3662.51 kJ/kg, sA4 = 8.9244 kJ/kg-K

d) Work done by water on piston-2 (kJ)

W23 = Pfloat(V3 - V2) = 200*0.1*1.76637
⇒ W23 = 35.33 kJ -----[3]

e) Work done by water on piston-1 (kJ).

This is the same (negative) as work done on an ideal gas in an isothermal process.
V2 0.25
W12 = −P1V1 ln ( ) = −100 ∗ 0.5 ∗ ln ( ) = −50 ∗ ln0.5 = 34.66 kJ
V1 0.5
V4 0.125
W34 = −P3V3 ln ( ) = −200 ∗ 0.25 ∗ ln ( ) = −50 ∗ ln0.5 = 34.66 kJ
V3 0.25
⇒ Total work done = W12 + W34 = -100*ln0.5 = 69.31 kJ -----[4]

Alternatively:
to solve this one can also find relationship between pressure and volume for water.
Remember that PAVA = constant = 100*0.5 = 50 kJ, so for process 12, we can write
PB(1-VB) = 50 kJ.
0.75 50 0.5 50 0.5
⇒ 𝑊12 = ∫0.5 (1−𝑉 ) 𝑑𝑉𝐵 = ∫0.25 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 50 ∗ 𝑙𝑛 (0.25) = 34.66 𝑘𝐽
𝐵
Similarly for process 34, we can write PB(1+0.176637 -VB) = 50 kJ.
0.75+0.176637+0.125 50 0.25 50
⇒ 𝑊34 = ∫0.75+0.176637 (1+0.176637−𝑉 )
𝑑𝑉𝐵 = ∫0.125 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 50 ∗
𝐵
0.25
𝑙𝑛 (0.125) = 34.66 𝑘𝐽
Total work done= W12 + W34 = 69.32 kJ

f) Heat supplied to water during the process, in kJ.

Q14 = m(u4-u1) + W12 + W23 + W34 = 0.85*(3662.51 - 1141.78) + 34.66
+ 35.33 + 34.66
⇒ Q14 = 2247.27 kJ -----[4]
g) Entropy change of Water
ΔSwater = m(s4-s1) = 0.85*(8.9244 - 3.4032)
⇒ ΔSwater = 4.69 kJ/K -----[3]

h) Entropy change of Helium

ΔSHelium = m(Cp0ln(T4/T1) - Rln(P4/P1)) = -0.0807*2.0771*ln(400/100)
⇒ ΔSHelium = -0.2324 kJ/K -----[3]

*****End of Comprehensive Exam Solution*****