Adiabatic heat exchanger problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a homework problem involving an adiabatic heat exchanger where propane gas and superheated steam exchange heat. The propane enters at 40 degrees C and exits at 240 degrees C, while the steam enters at 300 degrees C and exits as a saturated liquid at 5.0 bar. Participants suggest using heat balance equations to relate the mass flow rates and specific heats of both fluids, emphasizing the importance of steam tables for obtaining necessary thermodynamic properties. The fundamental principle discussed is that the heat lost by the steam equals the heat gained by the propane. Overall, the conversation provides guidance on setting up the problem and calculating the mass of steam required.
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Adiabatic heat exchanger problem... Please Help!

I have this proplem as a homework assignment and I'm a bit stuck as houw to set it up. Here it is:

Propane gas enters a continuous adiabatic heat exchanger at 40 degrees C and 250 kPa and exits at 240 degrees C. Superheated steam at 300 degrees C and 5.0 bar enters the exchanger flowing countercurrent,y to the propane and exits as a saturated liquid at the same pressure.

I know how to draw the process flowchart, but the problem also asks to include in the labeling the mass of the steam fed (kg). I have no idea how to figure this out. Is it in some table, or chart?

Please Help, 'cause i am stumped!

-Thanks in advance...
 
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Adiabatic heat exchanger

Couple of questions for you: Do you own a copy of the si steam tables? Are you familiar with heat balances?

Ok, i will try and point you in the right direction .

Q= Of the steam = Q of the water

Thus Q=McpDT m= mass of water/steam Kg Cp=Specific heat Dt= (Outlet Temp - Inlet)

So call steam 1 and Water 2

M1*cP*DT1=M2*cp*DT2

OR we can say that Q=m*Hf-Hg and take the data from the steam tables for steam as we know the conditions in and out! once we know Q ofcourse...lol ( H is Empalthy)

Good luck , hope this is some help...half asleep so probs wrote crap! lol :smile:
 
i didn't mean water i meant propane...lol
 
The problem seems to relate to the Joules-Thompson effect...
 
"adiabatic heat exchanger" implies the heat is transferred from the hot fluid to the cold fluid. The change in energy of the hot fluid = change in energy of the cold fluid, or rather rate of energy transfer from the hot fluid = rate of energy transfer to the cold fluid.

\dot{m_h}\,c_p_h\,\Delta{T_h} = \dot{m_c}\,c_p_c\,\Delta{T_c} where h and c are hot and cold, \dot{m} is mass flow rate, cp is specific heat and \Delta{T} is the change in temperature. Or instead of c_p\,\DeltaT, one could use the change in specific enthalphy directly, which one can find in a thermodynamic table as a funtion of temperature and pressure for the given fluid.
 
Thats what i said...lol, but in laymen terms! :P
 

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