Enthelpy and Isentropic compression/expansion

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the discrepancies observed in the calculations of specific work done by an isentropic pump in an ideal Rankine cycle. The two expressions for work, Wpump = h2 - h1 and Wpump = v(P2 - P1), yield vastly different results when applied to saturated water conditions. Specifically, using P1 = 20 kPa, v1 = 0.001017 m3/kg, h1 = 251.42 kJ/kg, P2 = 500 kPa, and h2 = 640.09 kJ/kg, the calculated work values are 388,670 J/kg and 488.16 J/kg, respectively. The discrepancy arises from the assumption that both states are saturated liquids; in reality, state 2 is a compressed liquid due to the isentropic process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Rankine cycle thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with isentropic processes
  • Knowledge of specific enthalpy and specific volume concepts
  • Ability to perform thermodynamic property calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of saturated and compressed liquids in thermodynamics
  • Learn about the implications of isentropic processes on fluid states
  • Explore the use of thermodynamic tables for water properties
  • Investigate the application of the First Law of Thermodynamics in pump work calculations
USEFUL FOR

Thermodynamics students, mechanical engineers, and professionals involved in power cycle design and analysis will benefit from this discussion, particularly those focusing on Rankine cycle efficiency and pump performance.

RoRoRo
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In a certain thermodynamics textbook, specific work done by an isentropic compressor/pump in an ideal rankine cycles, is given by the following;

Wpump = h2 - h1
Wpump = v(P2 - P1), where v = v1

When I carry out these two calculations between any two states, I get vastly different answers.

For example, compressor in a rankine cycle operating between the following conditions for saturated water;

P1 = 20 kPa
v1 = 0.001017 m3/kg
h1 = 251.42 kJ/kg

P2 = 500 kPa
h2 = 640.09 kJ/kg

Wpump = h2 - h1 = 640090 - 251420 = 388 670 J/kg

Wpump in = v(P2 - P1) = 0.001017 ( 500000 - 20000 ) = 488.16 J/kg

I assume that I'm missing something. Is there any explanation for why I'm seeing such a huge discrepancy in results for two supposedly equivalent expressions?
 
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Is the liquid water saturated in both states?
 
I was assuming that the water was a saturated liquid at both states but because the process is isentropic, its actually a compressed liquid at state 2. I think...
 
RoRoRo said:
I was assuming that the water was a saturated liquid at both states but because the process is isentropic, its actually a compressed liquid at state 2. I think...
Correct.
 

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