Calculating outlet temperature and heat transfer in an adiabatic spray cooler

AI Thread Summary
In the discussion about the adiabatic spray cooler, the initial calculations for the density of hot air and relative humidity were based on the assumption of dry air, which may have led to inaccuracies. The calculated relative humidity was found to be 0.1152, and the mol fraction of water in the outlet stream was determined to be 0.1557. Using the Antoine equation, the temperature of water at the calculated partial pressure was found to be 58.66°C; however, this does not represent the outlet temperature of the air-water mixture, as the water vapor is superheated. It was suggested that an overall enthalpy balance should be performed to accurately determine the final temperature of the gas mixture. The discussion emphasizes the need for a correct approach to energy balance in solving the problem.
cdh5382
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Question:

In an adibatic Spray cooler, a fine mist of liquid water is used to cool hot air by evaporating all of the water. The liquid flows in at a rate of 90 g/s and 30°C. The input hot air is at 450°C and 900 torr. The dewpoint of the input air is 47°C and the flow rate is 1362 L/s. Assume no change in pressure occurs for the air stream. Ue the antoine eqn for water.

Relevant eqn's:

Antoine eqn: P*= A-B/(T+c)
Absolte humidity: ha = mass of A in gas/ mass of dry gas
Relative humidity: hr = Pa(T)/P*(T)*100%
Mass balance
Energy Balance
Ideal gas

Progress so far:

I calculated the density of the hot air stream using the ideal gas law and kays rule w/ the assumption that the composition of air is .79 N2 and .21 O2 to be .57379 g/L.

This assumes that the air in was dry air. I suspect that this is where I went wrong. From here I calculated mass flow rate using volumetric flow rate time density.

Mass Balance simplifies to In=Out neglecting the accumulation generation and consumption terms.

I found realtive humidity to be .1152 using mass flow of water / mass flow of air

I found the mol fraction of water in the outlet stream to be
.1557= (90g/s water/18.016 g/mol)/(mol water + (487.93 g/s air)/(28.558 g/mol air)=yw

partial pressure of water is yw*P = .1557*900mmHg = 140.155 mmHg

Using antoine eqn and a= 8.10765 b= 1750.286 c=235 the temperature of water at this partial pressure is 58.66°C.

I don't think I can start using the energy balance w/oknowing the outlet temperature of the air H2O mix. Please help
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
The outlet temperature is not 58.66 C because the water vapor in the outlet stream is superheated. This problem was not solved correctly. An overall enthalpy balance should have been performed on the device. The only unknown would have been the final temperature of the gas mixture.
 
Back
Top