First Law of

Thermodynamics
 Scope
• Unsteady-State Open System
• Steady-state open system
• Closed System
• Isolated System
State and Path Functions Revisited
 
 

 
 First Law of Thermodynamics
• The first law of thermodynamics is a
statement of the conservation of energy, i.e.
energy cannot be created nor destroyed, it
can only be converted from one form into
another. As a consequence, this law states
that the energy of the thermodynamic
universe is constant.
 Continuity Equation

  𝑑 𝑚 𝑐𝑣
+∆ ( 𝑚
˙ ) 𝑓𝑠 =0
𝑑𝑡

 
 Equation of Energy

  𝑑 ( 𝑚𝑈 ) ˙
2

𝑑𝑡
𝑐𝑣
+∆
[( 𝐻+
𝑢
2 )
+ 𝑧𝑔 𝑚
˙ ] 𝑓𝑠
=¿ 𝑄
˙ +𝑊
˙ ¿
Simplifying Conditions
Steady-state Open System
Steady-state Open System

Ws (+) Ws (-)
Q (-)
Q (+)

system Outlet (2)

u2
z2

Inlet (1)
u1
z1
Reference or datum level
 Equation of Energy
 𝑑 ( 𝑚𝑈 ) ˙
2

𝑑𝑡
𝑐𝑣
+∆
[( 𝐻+
𝑢
2 )
+ 𝑧𝑔 𝑚
˙ ] 𝑓𝑠
=¿ 𝑄
˙ +𝑊
˙ ¿

H  E K  E p  Q  Ws

u 2 u 22  u12
where E K  
2 2
E p  gz  g  z 2  z1 
H  H 2  H 1
Q is positive (+) when energy is added to the system and negative (-) when energy is
released from the system
Ws is positive (+) when work is consumed by the system or supplied to the system (eg.
compressor, blower, fan) and negative (-) if work is produced by the system (eg.
turbine)
Closed System
 Closed System

 𝑑 ( 𝑚𝑈 ) ˙
2

𝑑𝑡
𝑐𝑣
[(
+∆ 𝐻 +
𝑢
2
+ 𝑧𝑔 𝑚 )
˙ =¿ 𝑄+
𝑓𝑠
˙ 𝑊
]
˙ ¿

U  Q  W

where U  U 2  U 1
W    pdV
Q is positive (+) when energy is added to the system and negative (-) when energy is
released from the system
W is positive (+) if work is done on the system and negative (-) when work is done by
the system
 Isolated System
• Mass is invariant
• Energy is invariant
• ΔU=0
 Review: Definitions
Enthalpy H  U  PV
Gibbs Free Energy G  H  TS
Helmholtz Free Energy A  U  TS
Constant-volume heat capacity  U 
CV   
 T V
Always true
Constant-pressure heat capacity  H 
CP    regardless of
 T  P nature of the
Coefficient of thermal expansion 1  V  system!
  
V  T  P
Isothermal compressibility 1  V 
T    
V  P  T
Joule-Thomson coefficient   V  
V  T   
 T  P 
 
CP
Always True for an Ideal Gas Regardless of
Process

Cp= Cv + R

 
 
 Thermodynamic Processes of
an Ideal Gas in a Closed System
PVT
Process Characteristic Relationship H U Q W

V2 V2
Isothermal T=constant PV=constant 0 0 RT ln  RT ln
V1 V1
T2

Isobaric P=constant V/T=constant  C p dT T2

H  PV

T1
or CV dT
T1
U  PV
Isochoric T2

or V=constant P/T=constant  C p dT T2
U 0

T1
or CV dT
Isometric T1
U  VP
RT
Adiabatic Q=0 TV  1  cons tan t T2 T2 0  1
T1
C p dT 
T1
CV dT
1

P2V2  P1V1
TP  cons tan t
 1
PV   cons tan t   1

RT1  P2  
   1
  1  P1  
 
 Polytropic Process
 
 
 =0

 =1

 =
 =

V
 Drawing and Identifying Processes in a PV
diagram

• Isothermal
• Isobaric
• Isochoric
• Adiabatic
• Expansion process
P • Compression process

V
 Numerically determining the amount of
work in a PV diagram

Step 1: Isobaric
Step 2: Isochoric
Step 3: Isothermal
Cyclic Process

V
 Conceptual Problems
• An ideal gas is compressed isothermally. The
enthalpy change is (a) always negative, (b)
sometimes negative, (c) zero, (d) sometimes
positive, (e) always positive, (f) indeterminate.
• A fluid is contained in a closed system. For a
reversible process, during which work is
produced by the fluid: (a) ΔV>0, (b) ΔV<0, (c)
ΔP>0, (d) ΔP<0.
Problem 2.24
Gas is bled from a tank. Neglecting heat transfer between the gas and the tank, show
that mass and energy balance produce the differential equation:

dU dm

H 'U m

Here, U and m refer to the gas remaining in the tank; H’ is the specific enthalpy of the
gas leaving the tank. Under what conditions one can assume H’ = H.
Problem 2.17

A hydroturbine operates with a head of 50 m water. Inlet and

outlet conduits are 2 m in diameter. Estimate the mechanical
power developed by the turbine for an outlet velocity of 5 m/s.
Problem 2.26

Fifty (50) kilomoles per hour of nitrogen is compressed from P1 =

1.2 bar to P2 = 6.0 bar in a steady-flow compressor. Delivered
mechanical power is 98.8 kW. Temperatures and velocities are

T1 = 300 K T2 = 520 K
u1 = 10 m/s u2 = 3.5 m/s

Estimate the rate of heat transfer from the compressor. Assume

for air that CP = 3.5R and that enthalpy is independent of
pressure.
Problem 2.27

Nitrogen flows at steady-state through a horizontal pipe with ID

of 38.1 mm. A pressure drop results from flow through a partially
closed valve. Just upstream from the valve the pressure is 690
kPa, the temperature is 49 C and the average velocity is 6.09
m/s. If the pressure just downstream from the valve is 138 kPa,
what is the temperature?

Assume for nitrogen that PV/T is constant. Use CP = 3.5R.

Problem 2.28

Water flows through a horizontal coil heated from the outside by

high-temperature flue gases. As it passes through the coil the
water changes state from liquid at 200 kPa and 80 C to vapor at
100 kPa and 125 C. Its entering velocity is 3 m/s and its exit
velocity is 200 m/s. Determine the heat transferred through the
coil per unit mass of water. Enthalpies of inlet and outlet streams
are:
Inlet: 334.9 kJ/kg
Outlet: 2726.5 kJ/kg
 Problem Set 3
• 2.34
• 2.36
• 3.6
• 3.20
• 3.22
• 6.73
• 6.74
• 6.76
• 6.77
 Conceptual Problems
1. An incompressible liquid flows though a rigid, horizontal well-insulated pipe of
constant diameter. It is observed that the pressure at the exit is lower than the
entrance pressure. As the liquid flows through the pipe, does its temperature
increase or decrease?
2. An incompressible liquid flows through an adiabatic pump in an irreversible
process. Does the temperature of the liquid increase or decrease?
3. An incompressible liquid is throttled through an insulated valve. If the exit pressure
is lower than the inlet pressure, determine the sign of the temperature change
across the valve.
4. An ideal gas is expanded in a steady-flow process in an isentropic manner. Sketch
the general position of an isentropic line for an ideal gas on a PV diagram, and
indicate the area that represents the work output for the expansion process from
state 1 to state 2.
5. An ideal gas expands adiabatically in a steady-flow turbine. Kinetic and potential
changes are negligible. Determine the sign of the temperature change.
6. An ideal gas is in steady, isothermal flow through a constant-diameter pipe. The exit
pressure is higher than the inlet pressure. Find the relative magnitude of the exit
and inlet velocities.
7. Use the first law to show why leaving the refrigerator door open will not cool the
kitchen.
 Outcomes
• Ability to solve problems involving
thermodynamic processes in steady-state
open system
• Ability to solve problems involving
thermodynamics processes in closed and
isolated system