SME 1413 Final Exam 2009-1

SECTION A – Answer question 1

Q1. An ideal gas in a piston-cylinder assembly undergoes three (3) reversible processes as
shown in Figure Q1. The mass of the gas in the assembly is 0.05 kg.

a) Determine
i) the isentropic index k for the isentropic process 1-2;
ii) the gas temperature at state 3;
iii) the entropy change for process 2-3; and
iv) the total heat transfer for process 2-3.

b) For process 2-3, by calculation or equation, show that

Q23 = W23

c) Sketch the cycle on a T-s diagram and label clearly the pressure and temperature
lines.

For the gas, take R = 0.287 kJ/kgK.

P (kPa)

12.00 3 1

PV k = constant

PV = constant

0.98 2
V (m3)
1 6
Figure Q1

(20 marks)
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SME 1413

SECTION B – Answer any three (3) questions

Q2. A closed system containing 1 kg refrigerant-134a at 100 kPa with 55% quality undergoes
the following processes in series:

Process 1-2 Constant volume until 140 kPa,

Process 2-3 Constant pressure until 20oC,

Process 3-4 Constant temperature until 0.2 MPa.

Sketch all the processes on a T-v diagram and determine the:

a. Volume at state 1 and quality at state 2,

b. Internal energy and enthalpy at state 3,
c. Final volume, internal energy and enthalpy.
(20 marks)

Q3. (a) A solar pond at 80oC, supplies heat to a thermoelectric generator at a rate of 106 kJ/h.
The waste heat is rejected to the environment at 30oC. Determine,
i. The maximum power this thermoelectric generator can produce.
ii. The power output of similar thermoelectric generator with a thermal efficiency
of 0.1,
(10 marks)

(b) A refrigerator unit is used to maintain a cooled space at – 40oC in an environment

of 20oC. The cooling capacity, QL = 3 kWh with a coefficient of performance of
3.5.
Determine,
i. The energy required to operate the refrigerator unit,
ii. The minimum energy requirement of any refrigerator unit under the given
temperature conditions,
(10 marks)
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SME 1413

Q4. Figure Q4 shows an insulated mixing chamber feeding into a turbine. The working fluid
is air behaving as an ideal gas. The mixing chamber operates at 500 kPa with other flow
properties as shown. If the turbine produces power at a rate of 2 MW, find the heat loss
from the turbine [kW]

Given: R = 0.287 kJ/kg.K and cp = 1.005 kJ/kgK for air.

Figure Q4

(20 marks)
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SME 1413

Q5. (a) Dry steam at 600 kPa is heated in a closed system at constant volume [process 1– 2],
until its pressure is 1200 kPa. It is then expanded adiabatically to 600 kPa, and
400oC [process 2 – 3]. Finally it is cooled at constant pressure to the saturation
temperature.
i. Sketch the P–v diagram for the processes, and
ii. Calculate the net work done, per kilogram of steam.
(8 marks)

(b) A piston cylinder device initially contains 0.10 m3 air at 0.95 bar and 67oC. The
device undergoes a process represented by Pv1.3 = constant. The final volume is
0.02 m3.
Determine
i. the mass of the air,
ii. the final temperature,
iii. the internal energy change,
iv. the work required, and
v. the magnitude and direction of any heat transfer.

Sketch the P-v diagram for the process.

(12 marks)
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SME 1413