Solving Flow Process Problem: PCB Dissapates 20W

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a thermal problem involving a hollow printed circuit board (PCB) that dissipates 20W of heat into air. Participants explore the application of energy balance equations and the ideal gas law to determine the average temperature of the air as it exits the PCB.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines an energy balance approach using the second law of thermodynamics, simplifying it under steady state conditions.
  • Another participant suggests using the ideal gas law to calculate the mass flow rate from the given volume flow rate.
  • A question is raised about the definition of PCB and its role in the problem, with a clarification provided that PCB stands for Printed Circuit Board.
  • There is a suggestion to express enthalpy in terms of specific heat and temperature to facilitate solving the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the next steps after calculating the mass flow rate, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved regarding the complete solution to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the application of the energy balance equation and the subsequent steps needed to solve for the exit temperature of the air.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or professionals interested in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and energy balance problems in engineering contexts.

Lancelot59
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I'm attempting to solve the following problem:

A hollow PCB dissapates 20W into air which enteres at 32 degrees C, 1atm, and a volume flow rate of 800cm3/s. Find the average temperature the air leaves at.

I started by first simplifying the second law energy balance equation:

[tex]\frac{dE}{dt}+\Sigma_{out}m^{\cdot}_{e}(h_{e}+ \frac{1}{2} v_{e}^{2}+gz_{e})- \Sigma_{in}m^{\cdot}_{i}(h_{i}+\frac{1}{2}v_{i}^{2}+gz_{i})=Q^{\cdot}-W^{\cdot}[/tex]

Since this is a steady state problem, energy rate of change is 0, and there are no effects from kinetic or potential energy. There is also no work being done, and the mass flow rates are equal. So I believe this simplifies to:

[tex]m^{\cdot}((h_{e})-h_{i})=Q^{\cdot}[/tex]

From here I'm not sure what I can do to solve the problem. Was this the correct approach to begin with?
 
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Update: I tried running the ideal gas law using the volume flow rate, and after sorting the units I believe I can get the mass flow rate from that. What to do after that however, I'm not sure.
 
Last edited:
What is a PCB? Can it be considered a vessel of some sort that is imparting the air flow with 20 watts? If it is, you have the correct equation. Q is energy per unit time. If you assume KE changes are negligible and express enthalpy as specific heat times temperature, the solution is at hand. Be sure your units agree when plugging in the numbers.
 
In this instance PCB = Printed Circuit Board. I did manage to sort everything out. Thanks.
 

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