Finding Quality Using Specific Volume?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of specific volume to determine the quality of a mixture of water vapor and liquid water. Participants explore whether specific volume alone can be sufficient for this purpose, considering the need for additional state variables.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether specific volume can be used to find quality, noting that it can be determined using mass but seeking clarification on the role of specific volume.
  • One participant provides a definition of vapor quality and references external sources for clarification.
  • Several participants argue that specific volume alone is insufficient and that additional information, such as pressure or temperature, is necessary to determine the quality of the fluid.
  • Examples are provided illustrating how specific volume can lead to different quality values depending on the pressure conditions of the steam.
  • There is mention of using steam tables or computerized databases to assist in calculations related to specific volume and quality.
  • Another participant suggests a formula involving specific volume, vapor quality, and liquid volume, indicating the need for careful bookkeeping when using steam tables.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that specific volume alone is not sufficient to determine quality and that additional state variables are required. However, there is no consensus on the exact methodology or the necessity of specific variables beyond pressure and temperature.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the need for multiple state variables to accurately determine the physical state of the fluid, highlighting the dependency on definitions and the use of steam tables for calculations.

dillonmhudson
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Can you or can you not use specific volume to find quality? I know it can be found using mass but can you use specific volume?
 
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Quality of what?
 
dillonmhudson said:
Can you or can you not use specific volume to find quality? I know it can be found using mass but can you use specific volume?
You could if you also know something else about the fluid. For example, pressure or temperature. You could also find it if you knew enthalpy, entropy, internal energy or some other https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=54198", you need 2.

For example, let's say we have steam with a specific volume of 0.0435 ft3/lbm. If that steam is at atmospheric pressure (saturation temperature 212 F), the quality is roughly 0.1%. But if the pressure is 1000 psig (saturation temperature 547 F), the quality is roughly 44%. You need a second state variable to pin down the physical state of the fluid.
 
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Q_Goest said:
You could if you also know something else about the fluid. For example, pressure or temperature. You could also find it if you knew enthalpy, entropy, internal energy or some other state variable. What you're trying to do is determine the state of the fluid, which you can't do with just one state variable, you need 2.

For example, let's say we have steam with a specific volume of 0.0435 ft3/lbm. If that steam is at atmospheric pressure (saturation temperature 212 F), the quality is roughly 0.1%. But if the pressure is 1000 psig (saturation temperature 547 F), the quality is roughly 44%. You need a second state variable to pin down the physical state of the fluid.


Q Goest, can you explain how you made these calculations? Are you references some table or using a formula?

Thanks.
 
NSSER said:
Q Goest, can you explain how you made these calculations? Are you references some table or using a formula?
I use a computerized database, basically steam tables on a computer.
 
v = x*vG + (1-x)vL

if you know pressure, or temperature, then you can look it up
i think you may need one more variable

check out steam tables, and start fiddling with the numbers (just start writing stuff down, make sure you do good book keeping, and something might pop out)

edit: ignore me, do what Q_goest says

edit again: if you know mass, then specific volume is a function of density. you'd need temperature, or pressure.
is there a specific problem you're trying to solve, or just curious?
 

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