Problem 1

1
T10

Q2

Q1

Connect body 1 to body 2

via a Carnot engine

T20

W
Let Tf final equilibrium temperature of both bodies
Note that for constant mass and volume

dU NCv dT
so

U1 Q1 W1 N1C1 Tf T10

and

U2 Q2 W2 N2C2 Tf T20

For the composite system, bodies 1 and 2 and the (cyclic) engine,

U Q W
W U1 U 2 U eng

W
Since N1 N2 N

C1 C2 C

W NC 2Tf T10 T20

Maximum attainable work requires that all processes be reversible, so
Suniv S1 S2 Seng Ssurr 0

dS

1
P

dU dV dN
T
T
T
dS

const. V, N
S1 NC ln

Tf
T10

1
dT
dU NC
T
T

S2 NC ln

Tf
T20

S1 S2 0
1

 ln

Tf
T
ln f 0
T10
T20

Tf T10T20
This temperature is the minimum attainable equilibrium temperature. Any further
decrease in Tf would result in S univ 0 (which is impossible).
Clearly, this is not the maximum attainable temperature since we can take some of or all
of the produced work and return it to either body.
Note that Tfmin will yield W max .
1

W max NC 2 T10T20 2 T10 T20

Any higher value of Tf , yields smaller magnitude of W.

Any lower value of Tf, while increasing W, violates the 2nd Law.
Now, consider a process in which there is no net change in the environment. Work is no
longer produced, and there is no heat interaction with the environment. This is equivalent
to isolating the two bodies and letting heat flow between them irreversibly.
Now

U1 U2 Q W 0

NC Tf T10 NC Tf T20 0
Tf

In this case,
Now

1
T10 T20
2

T T20
T2
S S1 S2 NC ln f NC ln 10
T10T20
4T10T20

T10 T20

4T10T20

T102 T202 2T10T20

T10 T20 0
2

so

S 0

and

Tfirrev Tfrev

for all T10 , T20

(as expected for irreversible process)

(Note that Tfirrev is the arithmetic mean and Tfrev is the geometric mean of T10 and T20.
Hence, we have verified via the 2nd Law the known mathematical result that the
arithmetic mean is greater than the geometric mean.)
2

1
T10 T20 is the maximum attainable temperature. Any increase in Tfirrev ,
2
although it would yield a further increase in S , would fail to satisfy the 1st Law.
Tfirrev

C 8 J/gK

T10 373K

T20 273K
max 1
o
Tf 2 T10 T20 323K 50 C
Wmax

N 62.3 J/g

Tfmin T10T20 319K 46o C

1
W max

C 2 T10T20 2 T10 T20

N

Alternative method: To obtain the maximum possible work output let the heat engine
operating between the two bodies be a (reversible) Carnot engine, whose upper and lower
temperatures are the instantaneous temperatures of the two bodies (thereby ensuring
reversible heat transfer between the engine and the two objects). Now, for the Carnot
engine
QH QC
Q Q

0 1 2
TH
TC
T1
T2

Q1 Q H

But, dU1 Q1 NCdT1 and dU2 Q2 NCdT2

NCdT1 NCdT2
So,

0 or
T1
T2
ln

Tf
T
ln f 0
T10
T20

Tf

(constant volume, mass)

dT1 f dT2
T1 T T2 0
T10
20

Tf T10T20

(same result as before)

Now for each infinitesimal Carnot cycle,

W Q1

Q 2 Q C

T1 T2
T
Q1 Q1 2 Q1 Q2
T1
T1

W T1 T2

QH
T1

T1 T2

(also follows from 1st Law for engine)

W NC(dT1 dT2 )
Thus, W NC 2Tf T10 T20

(same result as before)

Problem 4.5
To maximize the produced work, the air in each cylinder should be brought to the
conditions of the environment (i.e., the final state should be described by Tatm, Patm).
To accomplish this, consider the following two step process:
Step 1: contact cylinder with Carnot engine to decrease initial temperature, Ti, to final
temperature of the atmosphere, Ta, at constant volume
Ti
Pi

For cylinder: dU Q W (constant volume)

QH1

dU NCvdT

(constant volume, mass)

U NCv Tf Ti Q
but Tf = Ta
Q QH1 NCv Ta Ti

W1
QC1

(constant Cv)

QH1 NCv Ti Ta

Ta
Let signs of QH1, QC1
be defined for Carnot engine

To obtain maximum value of W1, entire process must be reversible

Scylinder Ssurr S
cylinder: const V, N

Carnot

dS N

S univ 0
Cv
dT
T

Scyl NCv ln Ta / Ti

S surr

QC1
Ta

Ta QC1

0
Ti Ta

so

NCv ln

or

QC1 NCvTa ln Ta / Ti

1st Law for Carnot engine:

W1 Q H1 QC1

NC v Ti Ta NC v Ta ln Ta / Ti
NC v Ti Ta NC v Ta ln Ti / Ta
T

T
NC v Ta i 1 ln i
Ta
Ta


Ti Ti

W1 NCv Ta ln 1

Ta Ta

Note that W1 0 (work produced by engine) for both

Ti
T
1 and i 1 .
Ta
Ta

Alternative method: For the Carnot engine

W1 QH1 QC1

But as
QH1 QC1

0
T
Ta

where T is the instantaneous temperature of the air in the cylinder, we have that
W1 QH1

T Ta
T

For the cylinder, dU NCvdT QH1

T Ta
Thus, W1 NCv
T

(constant volume, mass)

dT

With the temperature of the air starting from Ti and ending at Ta, we find that
T T
Ta
NCv Ta ln i 1 i
Ti
Ta Ta
which is the same result obtained previously.
W1 NCv Ta Ti NCv Ta ln

Step 2: Connect cylinder, now at Ta, to an isothermal turbine

Note that after 1st step, pressure of the cylinder has changed.
Step 1: Pi V NRTi

Pf V NRTa

so let

T
Pf Pi a
Ti

T
P2i Pf Pi a
Ti
5

By connecting the cylinder with the turbine, change P2i to Pa. (In general, we may have
P2i greater than or less than Pa. So air will flow out of or into cylinder until the pressures
are equal).

Note that work is always

produced W2 0 if P2i Pa

Ta
P2i

or Pa P2i

W2
Pa
Ta

tank and turbine are isothermal

First assume P2i Pa

Eq. (4-77) and (4-78) in (TM)
out

W2 n VdP

in

RTa
P

unit mass n is expanded at Ta to Pa

Pa

W2 n
Pt

RTa
dPt
Pt

Pt is instantaneous pressure inside cylinder

W2 nRTa ln Pa / Pt
but

n dNtan k

Pt Vt Ntan k RTa
so dN tan k

W2 Vt ln
W2

P2i

const Vt
const Ta

Pa
dPt
Pt

Pa

Vt
dPt
RTa

ln

Pt
dPt
Pa

pressure at
beginning
of Step 2

P
W2 Vt Pt ln Pt Pt Pt ln Pa Pa
2i

Vt Pa ln Pa Pa Pa ln Pa P2i ln P2i P2i P2i ln Pa

P
Vt P2i ln a P2i Pa
P2i

T
but P2i Pi a
Ti
Now, let us assume that P2i Pa (air flows into cylinder)
out

Pt

in

Pa

W2 n VdP

RTa
dPt
Pt

W2 nRTa ln Pt / Pa
n dN tan k

but now

Vt
dPt
RTa

W2 Vt ln Pt / Pa dPt

W2 Vt

Pa

Pt

ln P dP V P
t

P2i

2i

ln

Pa
P2i Pa
P2i

which is the same as before

P
P
W2 P2i Vt ln a 1 a
P2i P2i

Note that W2 0 (work produced by turbine) for both Pa P2i and P2i Pa

T
Letting P2i Pi a
Ti

Ta

W2 Pi Vt
Ti

Pa Ti Pa Ti

1

ln
PT
i a
i a
PT

Therefore, total work is W1 W2 , so

T T
Wtmax NCv Ta ln i 1 i
Ta Ta

Ta
Pi Vt
Ti

Pa Ti Pa Ti
1

ln
PT
i a
i a
PT

but N from Step 1 is given by

N

Pi Vt
RTi

so

T
Wtmax Pi Vt a
Ti

e.g. Vt 1 m3

Cv Ti Ti Pa Ti Pa Ti

1

ln 1 ln

i a
i a
PT
R Ta Ta PT

Cv 20.7 J / mol K

Ta 300 K

Pa 105 N / m2

Ti 400K

Pi 8x105 N / m2

Pa Ti 1

PT
8
i a

Ti 4

Ta 3

price $0.32

4 1

3 6

thus Wtmax 6.43x105 J

or unit cost

Wtmax
price

2.01x106

J
kJ
2010 0.56 kW-h/$
$
$

This corresponds to 1.8 $/kW-h, which is rather expensive, given that residential
electricity rates average around 25 cents/kW-h.

Let us redo the problem by treating the process in one-step by choosing the
tank+turbine as the system, in which there is a single net heat interaction and a single net
work interaction. (Since the max, or min, work is a state function, the final result should
not depend upon the path that was taken.)

in or out

W
Q

Now, the system (tank+turbine) is an open system, so

dU sys Q W H a dNsys
If air flows into the system, the enthalpy of the stream is that of the surroundings, Ha. If
air is discharged to the surroundings, it must be discharged at the same temperature and
pressure of the surroundings, so that Hout = Ha, to maximize the produced work (i.e., the
air in the cylinder should be brought to the conditions of the environment).
Since Ha is constant, the 1st Law becomes
U sys Q W H a N sys
Now consider the entropy balance, with reversible operation (i.e., zero entropy
generation),
Q
outlet or inlet stream has S= Sa
dS sys S * Sa dN sys
Ta
Q
So
Thus, Q Ta Ssys Ta Sa N sys
S sys Sa N sys
Ta
Substituting the above into the 1st Law yields
W U sys H a N sys Ta S sys Ta S a N sys
U sys Ta S sys N sys H a Ta S a
f
f
f
U sys
N sys
H a Ta S a S sys
N sysi U sysi H a Ta Sa Ssysi

f
f
H a RTa and Sa Ssys
0
Now, U sys

(same conditions)

i
i
H a CvTi CPTa and Sa Ssys
Also, U sys
CP ln

Ta
P
R ln a
Ti
Pi

Ta
Pa
f
i
RTa N sys
Therefore, W N sys
CvTi CPTa CPTa ln RTa ln
Ti
Pi

which upon further substitution and rearrangement yields the same expression as before
T
C T T P T P T

W Pi Vt a v ln i 1 i ln a i 1 a i
Ti
i a
i a
PT
R Ta Ta PT

We can redo the problem in another manner as well. Instead of allowing flow across a
turbine, we can imagine that the gas in the tank is connected to an expander/compressor
in which the gas, treated as a closed system, is allowed to expand or contract until its
final pressure and temperature are equal to that of the surroundings.
Now, the 1st Law for a closed system requires that
U Q W

But now W Wnet Watm

where Watm is the work done on the atmosphere and Wnet is the net work that can be
recovered by the process. Note that Wnet W Watm 0 , which is the net work
produced. (We do not simply allow the gas to freely expand against or be contracted by
the atmosphere. The pressure difference between the system and the atmosphere can be
exploited to generate work.)
For reversible operation,
S S surr 0
S

Qsurr
0
Ta

Q
0
Ta

so Q Ta S

Thus,
W U Q U Ta S

T
P
NCv Ta Ti NTa C p ln a R ln ln a
Ti
Pi

Now,
RT RT

P
Watm Pa Vatm Pa V NPa a i NR Ta Ti a
Pi
Pi
Pa

So, with Wnet W Watm , we find that

C T C
T
P
PT
Wnet NRTa v 1 i p ln a ln a 1 a i
Pi
PT
i a
R Ta R Ti
C T
T
PT
PT
NRTa v 1 i ln i ln a i 1 a i
Ta
PT
PT
i a
i a
R Ta
With NR PV
i i / Ti , we recover the same expression as before, with Vi Vt .
Note that the closed system, which can either be compressed or expanded, always yields
Wnet 0 . But why?
When expanded, some of the work done by the gas must be lost in pushing back the
atmosphere, that is Watm takes away from what is produced by the gas (though its
magnitude is smaller than the magnitude of W). When the gas is compressed, so that
W 0 , we now have that Watm 0 , in which Watm W . We recover the excess work
10

(over W) done by the atmosphere, which arises due to the reversible operation of the
process. This difference in the two works again leads to a net production of work for the
process.
Note that in the open system analysis, Watm is accounted for by the Ha term for the
incoming or outgoing stream, which includes the work required for the outgoing stream
to push back the surroundings or the work required for the incoming stream to push itself
into the system.
The idea of removing the work done by the atmosphere to yield the net work that can be
recovered by the expansion/compression is a subtle concept. We can proceed in even
another way that avoids the need to explicitly determine Wnet . For example, let us treat
the system (which is again closed) and the atmosphere as our combined system (which is
also a closed system). All heat interactions are therefore internal, i.e., between the system
and atmosphere only. While the total volume is fixed, there is still work being delivered
to some external agent, so the combined system is not isolated (although adiabatic). So,
U U sys U atm Q W

Note that U atm Qatm Watm

and U sys Qsys Wsys
But with Qsys Qatm

(acts as both a pressure and thermal reservoir)

we see that Wsys Watm W

(where W is equal to Wnet in the previous analysis; in this approach, the work done on or
by the atmosphere, which cannot be recovered, is automatically accounted for)
Now, U atm Qatm Watm
Watm Pa Vatm Pa Vsys

For reversible operation, Ssys Satm 0

with Satm
Finally,

Qatm
Ta

then

Qatm Ta Satm Ta Ssys

W U sys U atm U sys Ta Ssys Pa Vsys

which leads to same expression as before

Whether we apply an open system, or closed system analysis, the net effect of each
process is the same, where air is taken from some initial state to a final state with the
same conditions as the surroundings. Hence, it is encouraging (though of course expected
if all had been done correctly) that both analyses yield the same result.

11

Problem 4.10 (TM)

constant P

757 cm3/min 343.2 K

Tf

1514 cm3/min 283.2 K

Tf

We can allow reversible heat transfer between the hot and cold streams via the use of a
Carnot engine (or series of Carnot engines) to generate work. The maximum power that
can be produced will be generated when the two streams are brought to the same final
temperature.
So begin by first determining the maximum power output from the thermal contact (via the
use of a Carnot engine) of the hot and cold streams. A steady-state 1st Law balance and
entropy balance, for complete reversible operation and with the Carnot engine included
within the system, yield the following

0 Q W H h,in H h,out nh H c ,in H c ,out nc

W H h,in H h,out nh H c ,in H c ,out 2nh
nc 2nh

0 S*

So,

Q
Sh,in Sh,out nh Sc ,in Sc ,out 2nh
T

Sh,in Sh,out 2 Sc ,out Sc ,in

CP
S
For constant pressure and a constant isobaric heat capacity, along with
, the

T P T
above implies that

CP ln

or

Th,in
Tf

2CP ln

T f Th,inTc2,in

1/ 3

Tf
Tc ,in

301.9 K

Now return to the first law balance, which for constant pressure and constant CP yields

12

W nh H h ,out H h ,in H c ,out H c ,in 2nh

nh CP T f Th ,in 2CP T f Tc ,in
nhCP 3T f Th ,in 2Tc ,in 0

This power output can now be used to run a Carnot refrigerator that operates between the
environment at 10oC and the cold water stream entering component B. (While this power
output can be directly dissipated into the cold water stream entering B, a higher rate of
energy transfer into the cold stream will occur through the use of the Carnot engine.)

B
283 K

Tout

work
T

work

With the Carnot engine again defined to be part of the system, as the diagram on the right
indicates, the 1st Law and entropy balance become

0 Q W ,in Hin H out nh

0 S*

So,

Q
Sin Sout nh
T

Hout Hin nh Q W ,in Q W

reversible operation

work produced by the 1st Carnot engine

Hout Hin nh T Sout Sin nh nhC p 3Tf

C p Tout Tc ,in T C p ln

out

Hence,

Tc ,in T ln

Th,in 2Tc ,in

Tout
C p 3T f Th ,in 2Tc ,in
Tc ,in

1/ 3
Tout
Th,in 2Tc ,in 3 Th ,inTc2,in

Tc,in

Tout 332.2 K

The electrical heater now only needs to warm the incoming hot stream from 332.2 K to
343.2 K. A 1st Law balance on the electrical heater indicates that the required power is

13

W ,heater H out H in nh nhCP Th,in Tout

757 cm3 /min 1 min/60 s 1 g/cm3 1 mol/18 g 9.07 8.314 J/mol-K 11 K 581.4 W

We can improve the process in the following manner, requiring even less electrical energy
than before. Note that after the hot and cold water streams are brought into thermal contact
via a Carnot engine they achieve a final temperature of 301.9 K. The surroundings,
however, are at a lower temperature of 283.2 K. We can therefore, through the use of
another Carnot engine, lower the temperatures of these two exiting stream to be that of the
environment, generating an even greater work output than before.
283.2 K

Tf

work

With the Carnot engine again being part of the system, an entropy balance (with reversible
operation) indicates that

Q 3nhT Sout Sin 3nhT CP ln

T
T
3nhT CP ln c ,in
Tf
Tf

A 1st Law balance yields the following additional power output

0 Q W ,extra Hin H out 3nh

T
W ,extra 3nh CP Tc ,in T f T CP ln c ,in
T f

Let us now add this additional work into the Carnot engine that operates on component B

H out H in nh T Sout Sin nh nhC p 3T f

T
Th,in 2Tc ,in 3nhCP Tc ,in T f T ln c ,in
T f

Tc ,in T ln

T
Tout
3T f Th,in 2Tc ,in 3 Tc ,in T f T ln c ,in
Tc ,in
T f

Tc ,in T ln

T
Tout
Th ,in Tc ,in 3T ln c ,in
Tc ,in
Tf

out

out

Th ,in Tc ,in T ln

Th ,in

T f Th,inTc2,in

1/ 3

Tc ,in

14

The above equation indicates that Tout Th,in . In other words, by bringing the temperatures
of the two streams to that of the surroundings, there is no longer any need for the electrical
heater. But why does W ,heater 0 in this case?
Note that we begin with two streams both at the same temperature of 283.2 K. The
temperature of one stream is raised to 343.2 K, and becomes the hot stream. Eventually,
the hot stream is brought into contact with the cold stream, with the temperatures of both
of these streams being brought back down to 283.2 K. The net effect of the entire process
yields no change in the temperature of the streams. The entropy balance for the entire
process, with complete reversible operation, would indicate no change in the entropy of the
streams so that there is no net heat interaction with the surroundings. (Note that the
surroundings receives heat when the streams at a temperature Tf are cooled down to that
of the surroundings. The surroundings releases heat when the Carnot refrigerator is
operated with component B. The amount absorbed and released, though, are equal in
magnitude). A 1st Law balance, with no change in the enthalpy of the streams, along with
no net heat interactions, indicates that there is no power required for the process.
Of course electrical energy would be required to start-up the process, that is during the
initial transient phase before steady-state is achieved. We also assumed constant flow rates,
so any fluctuations in these flow-rates would change the analysis. Finally, while the above
analysis is based on an idealized reversible operation, we see that at least in principle some
of the energy required by the electrical heater could be supplied by the use of various heat
engines as the two streams come into thermal contact.

15

Problem 4.18
280K
.1m3

.1m3

Pi = 2 bar

Pi = 2 bar

a) mass balance

NA NB = constant = NAi NBi

for ideal gas, then

PA VA PB VB

constant
RTA
RTB

since VA VB V
and TA TB T
then

(process is isothermal)

PA PB

dPA dPB

RT
constant = constant since T, V are fixed
V
also

PA PB PAi PBi 4 bar

and dN A dN B

For,
out

W n VdP
in

mass n is taken from A at pressure PA and compressed to pressure PB of tank B

(identical results are obtained if mass is taken from B and put into A)
PB

RT
dP n RT ln PB / PA
P
PA

W n

now

n dN A

and PB 4 PA
so

V
dPA
RT

4 PA
4 PA
V
RT ln
dPA V ln
dPA
RT
PA
PA

Tank B is compressed from 2 bar to 3 bar so Tank A begins at 2 bar and ends at 1 bar
PAf PBf 4 bar
16

1
4 PA
W V ln
dPA
PA
2
1
V 4 PA ln 4 PA 4 PA 12 PA ln PA PA
2

V 3ln 3 3 2 ln 2 2 1 2 ln 2 2

V 4 ln 2 3ln 3
W 0.1m3 4ln 2 3ln 3 bar x

105 N / m2
1bar

W 5232 J
b) Take the two tanks and the compressor as the system. Since the initial and final
temperatures of the ideal gases are the same, and the total mass of the composite system
is conserved, we have that U 0 . The only work interaction of the composite system is
through the compressor.

Q W 5232 J

U U A U B U A N A U B N B
const T
N A N B
and U A U B

thus U 0

Lets also derive the above result by considering each tank and the compressor
individually.
For the compressor: dU 0 Q W Hin Hout n
Since Hin Hout (ideal gas, same T), then Q,comp W 5232 J
For Tank A: dUA Q,A W Hin nin Hout n out Q,A HA dNA
Since H A is constant (fixed temperature in Tank A, ideal gas), then
UA,f UA,i Q,A HA NA,f NA,i

Q,A NA,f UA,f HA NA,i UA,i HA

(all molar properties evaluated at same T)

Q,A RT NA,f NA,i 0

17

For Tank B: dUB Q,B W Hin nin Hout n out Q,B HA dNB
Since the compressor does not change the enthalpy of its incoming stream, what enters
Tank B has the same enthalpy as Tank A (which again is a constant, since T is fixed).
UB,f UB,i Q,B HA NB,f NB,i

Q,B NB,f UB,f HA NB,i UB,i HA

Q,B RT NB,f NB,i 0

So, Q,A Q,B RT NA,f NB,f NA,i NB,i 0

Thus, Q,A Q,B Q,comp 5232 J

c) Ssurr

(net heat interaction with the environment)

Qsurr Q 5232 J

Tsurr Tsurr 280 K

Ssurr 18.69 J / K
For the gas:
initial
A
2 bar

final

280K

B
2 bar

Si NiASiA NiBSiB

280K

1 bar

B
3 bar

Sf NfASfA NfBSfB

Sgas Sf Si NfASfA NiASiA NfBSfB NiBSiB

NfA SfA SiA NfB SfB SiB SiA NfA NiA SiB NfB NiB
0

Last two terms sum to zero since

SiA SiB TA TB , PAi PBi and NfA NfB NiA NiB
So, Sgas NfA SA NfBSB

18

This expression is consistent with the end result of the process, in which N fA was
brought from PAi to PAf at constant T and N fB was brought from PBi to PBf
at constant T.
Now, SA

Tf

Ti

SA R ln

Also,

Cp
T

dT R ln

1
R ln 2
2

NfB PBf

3
NfA PAf

PAf
PAi

SB

Ti

SB R ln

VA VB

Tf

3
2

Cp
T

dT R ln

PBf
PBi

ideal gas

(constant T)

and

TA TB

so

Sgas N fA R ln 2 3R ln
2

Pf V
A A ln 2 3ln 3 3ln 2
TA

PAf 1 bar

PAf VA
4 ln 2 3ln 3
TA

Sgas 18.69 J / K

Note that Ssurr

Qsurr Q W

Tsurr Tsurr TA

(Tsurr=TA)

PAf VA
4 ln 2 3ln 3
TA

Therefore, Sgas Ssurr Suniv 0

(identically zero)

In hindsight, the above result is not surprising. First, the compressor is reversible. Second,
gas is removed from A at the same T and P of A and then discharged to B at the same T
and P of B. No temperature and pressure gradients are present when the gas is removed or
discharged into the tanks. In addition, as gas is added/removed from the diathermal tanks,
the heat transfer required to maintain the constant temperature occurs in a reversible
manner in that the temperatures of the surroundings and the tanks are the same. All
processes are reversible and therefore Suniv is identically zero.

Again, we can analyze the entropy change of the universe by considering each tank
separately. The compressor operates in a reversible manner, and so does not contribute to
any possible entropy increase of the universe.

19

For Tank A: dSA S*

SA dN A N A dSA S*

S*

Q,A
T

Q,A

Q,A
T

Sin n in Sout n out S*

Q,A
T

SA dN A

Q,A

SA dNA
T
Q
dP
N A dSA ,A N A R A
T
PA

(constant T)

V
dPA
T
T
Q
Q
V
S* ,A PA,f PA,i ,A R N A,f N A,i 0
T
T
T

S*

For Tank B: dSB S*

Q,B
T

Sin n in Sout n out S*

Q,B
T

Sout,compr dN B

Now, for the (reversible) compressor:

Q,compr
Q,compr
dS 0 S *
Sin Sout n
SA Sout,compr dN B
T
T
Q,compr
So, Sout,compr dNB
SA dN B
T
But, Q,compr W nRT ln PB / PA dNBRT ln PB / PA
Thus, Sout,compr SA R ln PB / PA SB SA

(constant T)

or in other words, Sout,compr SB (which we could have stated immediately since the
compressor discharges the gas at the same T and P as Tank B)
And so,

dSB S*

S*

Q,B

Q,B
T
Q,B

SBdN B

N BdSB

Q,B
T

NBR

dPB
PB

V
dPB
T
T
Q
Q
V
S* ,B PB,f PB,i ,B R N B,f N B,i 0
T
T
T

S*

20

Problem 4.32
a) For the given pumps volumetric displacement, the molar removal rate of air (treated as
an ideal gas) is given by

Pv Nv

v 103 m3 /s
RT V
Now, a molar balance on the air inside the chamber yields
n pump

dN
Nv
nleak n pump nleak
dt
V
which, given that the leak rate, pump displacement and chamber volume are constants, can
be immediately integrated to yield
tv

nleakV nleakV

Ni e V
v
v

where Ni is the initial number of moles of air. To determine how the temperature of the air
varies with time, start with the 1st Law for an open system for the air in the chamber
dU
dU
dN
N
U
Q W H a nleak Hn pump
dt
dt
dt
dT
NCv
Q H a U nleak H U n pump
dt
Q CPTa CvT nleak RTn pump

Q CPTa CvT nleak Pv

in which the temperature Ta of the incoming air, via the leak, is constant and equal to 300
K and the constant rate of heating is equal to 10 J/s. Along with P = NRT/V and our earlier
expression for N, we can (numerically) integrate the above relation to determine T, and so
P, as a function of time.
Note that the chamber cannot be completely evacuated because of the air leak, and so the
number of moles of air will reach a fixed value of (where the leak rate equals the pump
rate)
n V
N f leak
v
Numerical integration indicates that at t ~ 18700 s = 312 min = 5.2 hr, the pressure of the
air inside the chamber has been reduced to 0.1 bar (starting from 1.01 bar). At that same
point, the temperature has reached a value of around 193 K (having started from 300 K).
The number of moles of air has likewise decreased to a value of 62.5 moles (starting from
404.9 moles). For larger times, the pressure and number of moles continues to decrease.
21

The temperature, however, starts to increase, since beyond this point the rate of energy
removal via the pump is no longer large enough to overcome the rate of temperature
increase due to the air leak and the heating source. Presumably, this temperature increase
cannot continue indefinitely, due to the appearance of terms proportional to T in the
energy balance. Thus, we expect the temperature should start to decrease again, and
eventually reach a steady-state value.

b) Since for a pump the limit of reversible operation corresponds to the minimum work
required, the actual power required, for an efficiency of 80% relative to reversible
operation, will simply be given by
W ,actual

W ,rev
0.8

Now, reversible operation is determined by

out

W ,rev n VdP
in

Since we are considering reversible, adiabatic operation, each unit mass of fluid entering
the pump will follow a reversible adiabatic pathway given by
PV constant

where = CP/Cv (= 1.4). Note that each unit mass entering the pump has the same
instantaneous properties of the gas in the tank, or Pt and Vt (which is changing with time).
The pump, however, always discharges to a pressure of Pa = 1.01 bar, which is the same as
the initial pressure of the air in the chamber, Pi. (While the discharge pressure of the pump
is always 1.01 bar, the discharge temperature will not be a constant, since the inlet
temperature is also changing with time.) With the (instantaneous) inlet conditions of the
pump equaling Pt and Vt, the molar volume and pressure of the unit mass operated upon
inside the reversible adiabatic pump will be related as follows

Pt1/ Vt
P1/

Therefore, for a given unit mass entering the pump at Pt (and Vt) and exiting at Pa,
1

Pi
Pi
1/

Pt Vt
PV
t t Pi

W ,rev n VdP n 1/ dP n
1

P
1 Pt
Pt
Pt

Now,

n Pv
t
t RTt

and

PV
t t RTt

22

so

W ,rev

Pv
t Pi

1 Pt

Hence,

W ,actual

Pv
Pi
t

0.8 1 Pt

The above relation implies that the power requirement of the pump reaches a maximum
value at some particular value of the tank pressure. Differentiating the above with respect
to Pt and setting the result equal to zero, yields upon rearrangement

1 1
Pt Pi 0.31 bar

The maximum power requirement of the pump therefore occurs before the chamber
pressure reaches 0.1 bar. Hence, the minimum vacuum pump power rating should be based
on the actual power requirement for a tank pressure of 0.31 bar. Substituting this particular
value of Pt into the expression for the actual power requirement (for any Pt) indicates that

W ,actual

max

Pv 1 1
i 54.4 W
0.8 t

This value represents the minimum vacuum pump power rating that is required to reduced
the chamber pressure to 0.1 bar, and is a relatively modest power rating (0.072 hp). (At this
lower pressure of 0.1 bar, the power requirement of the pump is 41 W.)

23

24