Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 1

Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes

5.1 Objectives
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

● define, in general terms, the conservation of mass principle

● define the first law at it applies to steady-flow systems
● apply the first law for closed and steady-flow systems to common engineering
arrangements including: nozzles and diffusers; turbines and compressors; throttling
valves; and heat exchangers
● analyse systems, perform calculations, and solve problems using the above concepts and
tools.

5.2 Build up your understanding

Presentation
View the power point presentation for Module 5 as this presentation should help
you identify the key elements from this module.

5.2.1 Conservation of mass

Reading activity 5.1
Section 5.1

The continuity equation, Eq. (5-5), is used much more extensively in Fluid Mechanics
MEC3102/MEC2106, but may arise in one or two of the problems you encounter. The
important thing is to understand what the mass flow rate m represents: the number of
kilogrammes of fluid that pass through a cross-section per unit time.

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 Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 2

Exercise 5.1
Textbook problem 5.10 (7th Ed.):

A 1 m3 rigid tank initially contains air whose density is 1.18 kg/m3. The tank is
connected to a high-pressure supply line through a valve. The valve is opened,
and air is allowed to enter the tank until the density in the tank rises to
7.20 kg/m3. Determine the mass of air that has entered the tank.

● Conservation of mass
● Section 5.1, Example 5.1

● Recognize: min – mout = ∆m, and m = ρV.

● Answer: 6.02 kg

Exercise 5.2
Textbook problem 5.12 (5th Ed.):

A desktop computer is to be cooled by a fan whose flow rate is 0.34 m3/min.

Determine the mass flow rate of air through the fan at an elevation of 3400 m
where the air density is 0.7 kg/m3. Also, if the average velocity of air is not to
exceed 110 m/min, determine the diameter of the casing of the fan.

● Mass flow rate, relationship between volume flow rate and velocity
● Section 5.1, Example 5.1
● 𝑚̇ = 𝜌𝑉̇ , 𝑉̇ = Area × velocity. Rearrange to give Diameter.
● Answers: 0.0040 kg/s, 0.063 m

5.2.2 Flow work and the energy of a flowing fluid

Reading activity 5.2
Section 5.2

Note (Fig. 5-14) that the total energy inside a flowing fluid includes “flow
energy” (Pv), so we will always use enthalpy instead of internal energy in the 1st
Law for flow problems.

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 Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 3

Exercise 5.3
Textbook problem 5.23 (5th Ed.):

A house is maintained at 1 atm and 24oC, and warm air inside a house is forced
to leave the house at a rate of 150 m3/h as a result of outdoor air at 5oC
infiltrating into the house through the cracks. Determine the rate of net energy
loss of the house due to mass transfer.

● Energy loss due to mass transfer

● Section 5.2, Example 5.3
● Use gas constant for air to calculate density of air in house, calculate mass
flow rate leaving house: 𝑚̇ = 𝜌𝑉̇, calculate enthalpy difference using Cp for
air.
● Answer: 0.945 kW

5.2.3 Energy analysis of steady-flow systems

Reading activity 5.3
Section 5.3

We can differentiate the 1st Law (for steady-state conditions from Module 2.2.6, accounting
for enthalpy instead of internal energy because of flow) with respect to time to obtain:

dKE 2 dKE1 dPE 2 dPE1

Qin  Qout  Win  Wout  H 2  H1    
dt dt dt dt

Because quantities such as specific enthalpy are intensive properties, they are not time-
dependent. The 1st Law (in rate form) can therefore be expressed as:


Qin  Qout  Win  Wout  m h2  h1  12 V22  12 V12  gz2  gz1 
The kinetic energy and potential energy changes are normally small compared to the enthalpy
change, so are often neglected.

Note
Specific enthalpy is normally tabulated as kJ/kg, while specific kinetic energy
and specific potential energy are normally calculated with units m2/s2, which is
J/kg. Unless you have these terms on the same basis (i.e. same units), you will
get VERY wrong answers (similar to saying that you walked for 1 km, then a
further 50 m and then saying that you walked a total of 51 km).

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 Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 4

5.2.4 Some steady-flow engineering devices

Reading activity 1
Section 5.4

Studying parts 2 and 3 (Turbines and Compressors; and Throttling Valves) is

particularly important because these devices are key features of steam power
generation (Module 9) and refrigeration systems (Module 10), but you also need
to study parts 1 (Nozzles and Diffusers) and 4b (Heat Exchangers).

[Link] Nozzles and diffusers

These have no moving parts (so there is no work done), they are assumed to be adiabatic and
they produce substantial velocity changes, so the first law simplifies to:

h2  h1  12 V22  12 V12  0

[Link] Turbines and compressors

All of these devices are assumed to be adiabatic. Turbines produce work by extracting energy
from the fluid, so the first law provides a measure of the output power:


Wout  m h1  h2  12 V12  12 V22 
 m  h1  h2 

Pumps and compressors do the same job: put energy into the fluid by doing work; pumps
does this to liquids, while compressors do this to gasses. The first law provides a similar
expression for the power required to do this:


Win  m h2  h1  12 V22  12 V12 
 m  h2  h1 

For pumps, this can also be expressed as:

win  v  P2  P1 

[Link] Throttling valves

These are flow-restrictors that cause a pressure drop. There are no moving parts and the
process is adiabatic. Because there is normally little change in kinetic or potential energy, the
first law becomes:

h2  h1  0
h2  h1

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 Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 5

[Link] Heat exchangers

Heat exchangers transfer energy from one flow to another by heat transfer. There are no
moving parts, so the first law becomes quite simple. For the fluid to be cooled, the heat
transferred away is:

Qout,H  mH  h1  h2 

Similarly, the heat transfer for the coolant comes from the first law:

Qin,C  mC  hB  hA 

Because the heat energy from the fluid that requires cooling is transferred exclusively to the
coolant, it follows that

Qout,H  Qin,C

Exercise 5.4
Textbook problem 5.30 (7th Ed.):

Air enters an adiabatic nozzle steadily at 300 kPa, 200oC, and 45 m/s and leaves
at 100 kPa and 180 m/s. The inlet area of the nozzle is 110 cm2. Determine (a)
the mass flow rate through the nozzle, (b) the exit temperature of the air, and (c)
the exit area of the nozzle.

● Steady flow energy balance, nozzle

● Sections 5.3 and 5.4
● Example 5.4 (but assume constant specific heats – see Case Study 5.1 in this
Study Book)
● Example 5.5
●
Answers: (a) 1.09 kg/s, (b) 185oC, (c) 79.9 cm2

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 Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 6

Exercise 5.5
Textbook problem 5.49 (7th Ed.):

Steam flows steadily through an adiabatic turbine. The inlet conditions of the
steam are 6 MPa, 400oC, and 80 m/s, and the exit conditions are 40 kPa, 92
percent quality, and 50 m/s. The mass flow rate of the steam is 20 kg/s.
Determine (a) the change in kinetic energy, (b) the power output, and (c) the
turbine inlet area.

● Steady flow energy balance, turbine

● Sections 5.3 and 5.4
● Example 5.6 (but assume constant specific heats – see Case Study 5.2 in this
Study Book)
● Example 5.7
●
Answers: (a) -1.95 kJ/kg, (b) 14.6 MW, (c) 0.0119 m2

Exercise 5.6
Textbook problem 5.57 (5th Ed.):

Air enters the compressor of a gas-turbine plant at ambient conditions of

100 kPa and 25oC with a low velocity and exits at 1 MPa and 347oC with a
velocity of 90 m/s. The compressor is cooled at a rate of 1500 kJ/min, and the
power input to the compressor is 250 kW. Determine the mass flow rate of air
through the compressor.

● Steady flow energy balance, compressor

● Sections 5.3 and 5.4
● Example 5.6 (but assume constant specific heats – see Case Study 5.2 in this
Study Book)
● Example 5.7
● Answer: 0.674 kg/s

Exercise 5.7
Textbook problem 5.68 (7th Ed.):

Refrigerant-134a at 800 kPa and 25oC is throttled to a temperature of -20oC.

Determine the pressure and the internal energy of the refrigerant at the final
state.

● Steady flow energy balance, throttling

● Sections 5.3 and 5.4, Example 5.8
● Answers: 133 kPa, 80.7 kJ/kg

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 Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 7

Exercise 5.8
Textbook problem 5.83 (5th Ed.):

Refrigerant-134a at 700 kPa, 70oC, and 8 kg/min is cooled by water in a

condenser until it exists as a saturated liquid at the same pressure. The cooling
water enters the condenser at 300 kPa and 15oC and leaves at 25oC at the same
pressure. Determine the mass flow rate of the cooling water required to cool the
refrigerant.

● Steady flow energy balance, heat exchangers

● Sections 5.3 and 5.4, Example 5.10
● Find inlet and exit enthalpy of both R134a and water. Steady flow energy
balance becomes, 𝐸̇𝑖𝑛 − 𝐸̇𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 0. 𝐸̇𝑖𝑛 has two components of 𝑚̇ℎ (for the
water and R134a), and similarly for 𝐸̇𝑜𝑢𝑡 . Solve for mass flow rate of water.
● Answer: 42.0 kg/min

5.3 Review your understanding

5.3.1 Multiple choice test

Computer
Attempt all the questions at the McGraw-Hill On-line Learning Center Multiple
Choice Quiz for Chapter 5.

5.3.2 Concept questions

Self assessment
Attempt the concept questions 4.3, 5.19, 5.27, and 5.63.

● 4.3 mass flow in unsteady flow process

● 5.19 total energy: flow and non-flow
● 5.27 steady-flow energy balance for a nozzle
● 5.63 throttling

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 Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 8

5.3.3 Tutorial Sheet 5

Self assessment
Access Tutorial Sheet 4 and selected solutions here.

Access full solutions here.

Video
Access videos of worked solutions to Problems 5 and 12.

Access screenshots of Problems 5 and 12.

5.4 Develop your understanding through problem solving

Case study 5.1
Textbook example 5.4 using constant specific heat analysis

Air at 10oC and 80 kPa enters the diffuser of a jet engine steadily with a velocity
of 200 m/s. The inlet area of the diffuser is 0.4 m2. The air leaves the diffuser
with a velocity that is very small compared with the inlet velocity. Determine (a)
the mass flow rate of the air and (b) the temperature of the air leaving the
diffuser.

SOLUTION Air enters the diffuser of a jet engine steadily at a specified velocity. The mass
flow rate of air and the temperature at the diffuser exit are to be determined.

Assumption 1. to 6. as per the text version, but with an additional assumption, 7. That a
constant specific heat analysis is appropriate in this case.

Analysis The gas constant of air is R = 0.287kJ / kgK and its other properties at room
temperature are Cp = 1.005kJ / kgK, Cv = 0.718kJ / kgK, and k = 1.4 (Table A-2a).

We take the diffuser as the system (Fig. 5-26 in the text). This is a control volume since mass
crosses the system boundary during the process. We observe that there is only one inlet and
one exit and thus 𝑚̇1 = 𝑚̇2 = 𝑚̇.

(a) To determine the mass flow rate, we need to find the specific volume of the air first. This
is determined from the ideal-gas relation at the inlet conditions:

RT1 0.287(10  273)

v1    1.015m3 / kg .
P1 80

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 Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 9

Then,

1 1
m V1 A1   200  0.4  78.8kg / s .
v1 1.105

Since the flow is steady, the mass flow rate through the entire diffuser remains constant at
this value.

(b) Under stated assumptions and observations, the energy balance for this steady-flow
system can be expressed in the rate form as

𝐸̇𝑖𝑛 − 𝐸̇𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑑𝐸𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 / 𝑑𝑡 = 0.

Or,

𝐸̇𝑖𝑛 − 𝐸̇𝑜𝑢𝑡 ,

 V2   V2 
m  h1  1   m  h2  2  ,
 2   2 
 

V22  V12
h2  h1   ,
2

V22  V12
C p T 2 T1    .
2

The exit velocity of a diffuser is usually small compared with the inlet velocity (V2 ≪ V1);
thus, the kinetic energy at the exit can be neglected.

Substituting, we get

0  2002
1.005 T2  283   ,
2  1000
20
T2  283   302.9 K .
1.005

Discussion 5.1
This result shows that the temperature of the air increases by about 20oC as it is
slowed down in the diffuser. The temperature rise of the air is mainly due to the
conversion of kinetic energy to internal energy.

Note that this result is identical to that of Example 5-4 in the text when reported
to 3 significant figures (303 K), and hence this validates the constant specific
heat assumption.

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 Module 5 – Mass and energy analysis of control volumes 10

Case study 5.2

Text example 5.6 using constant specific heat analysis

Air at 100 kPa and 280 K is compressed steadily to 600 kPa and 400 K. The
mass flow rate of the air is 0.02 kg/s, and a heat loss of 16 kJ/kg occurs during
the process. Assuming the changes in kinetic and potential energies are
negligible, determine the necessary power input to the compressor.

Solution Air is compressed steadily by a compressor to a specified temperature and pressure.

The power input to the compressor is to be determined.

Assumptions 1. to 3. as per the text version, but with an additional assumption, 4. That a
constant specific heat analysis is appropriate in this case.

Analysis The gas constant of air is R = 0.287kJ / kgK and its other properties at room
temperature are Cp = 1.005 kJ / kgK, Cv = 0.718 kJ / kgK, and k = 1.4 (Table A-2a).

We take the compressor as the system (Fig. 5-27 in the text). This is a control volume since
mass crosses the system boundary during the process. We observe that there is only one inlet
and one exit and thus 𝑚̇1 = 𝑚̇2 = 𝑚̇. Also heat is lost from the system and work is supplied
to the system.

Under stated assumptions and observations, the energy balance for this steady-flow system
can be expressed in the rate form as

𝐸̇𝑖𝑛 − 𝐸̇𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑑𝐸𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 / 𝑑𝑡 = 0.

Or,

E in  E out ,

W in  m h1  Q out  m h2 ,

W in  m qout  m(h2  h1 )  m qout  m C p T2  T1  .

Substituting, the power into the compressor is determined to be

W in  0.02  16  0.02  1.005  (400  280)  2.73kW .

Discussion
Note that the mechanical energy input to the compressor manifests itself as a rise
in the temperature of the air and heat loss from the compressor.

Also note that this result differs from that of Example 5-4 in the text by only
0.01 kW or less than 0.5 %. This difference arises due to the assumption of
constant specific heats in this case, but it is not significant from an engineering
perspective which therefore validates the constant specific heat assumption.

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