Tank depressurization through a valve

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    Tank Valve
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the temperature evolution of a gas during depressurization through a valve, specifically examining the transition from a high pressure (200 bar) to a lower pressure (20 bar). Participants explore the assumptions of isentropic expansion, heat exchange between the gas and the vessel walls, and the implications of gas behavior in a fixed volume pipe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that the expansion is isentropic and questions how to represent heat exchange, suggesting that if the process is isentropic (ΔS = 0), it must also be adiabatic, implying no heat transfer occurs.
  • Another participant discusses the application of the first law of thermodynamics, indicating that in an adiabatic process, the change in internal energy (ΔU) is equal to the work done by the gas (W), with no heat transfer (Q = 0).
  • A participant seeks clarification on the term "circuit" and the meaning of "temperature evolution," asking whether the number of moles of gas in the circuit increases and how this affects temperature.
  • One participant questions the concept of a "pipe of fixed volume," noting that the gas will flow through the pipe unless obstructed, which could affect the analysis of temperature changes.
  • Another participant asserts that if there is no work done on the surroundings and no heat flow into the gas, the internal energy remains unchanged, suggesting that the temperature would decrease due to intermolecular forces in a real gas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the temperature evolution of the gas during depressurization, with some suggesting no temperature change while others propose that temperature may decrease due to intermolecular forces. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of heat transfer and the behavior of the gas in the system.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their understanding of the system, including assumptions about the nature of the gas (ideal vs. real), the configuration of the pipe, and the implications of pressure changes on temperature. The discussion does not resolve these uncertainties.

hybro
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Hello guys,

I want to study the temperature evolution of a gas in a vessel from 200 bar to 20 bar. I made the assumption the expansion is isentropic. However I have some trouble to represent the heat exchange between the wall and the gas. I used the energy conservation (transfer from a fluid to another through a wall) but I don't know if it's clearly what I need to use. Can someone help me to define the heat transfer? I found a topic talking about This but nothing was explain.


https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=221054&highlight=isentropic+isenthalpic

Another question, when the gas from the vessel at 200 bar flows through a valve and the circuit is at the atmospheric pressure, is there a temperature evolution? I don't think so but if We use the relation PV = nRT the circuit pressure rise so the temperature rise too.

Thanks for your help.

Hybro
 
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hybro said:
Hello guys,

I want to study the temperature evolution of a gas in a vessel from 200 bar to 20 bar. I made the assumption the expansion is isentropic. However I have some trouble to represent the heat exchange between the wall and the gas. I used the energy conservation (transfer from a fluid to another through a wall) but I don't know if it's clearly what I need to use. Can someone help me to define the heat transfer? I found a topic talking about This but nothing was explain.
If it is isentropic (ΔS = 0) it will have to be adiabatic. In that case there is no heat transfer between the gas and the surroundings.

If the gas expands adiabatically in a cylinder against a piston, for example, the gas does work on the surroundings. So apply the first law: Q = ΔU + W where W is the work done BY the gas, since Q=0 (adiabatic) you have ΔU = - W

Another question, when the gas from the vessel at 200 bar flows through a valve and the circuit is at the atmospheric pressure, is there a temperature evolution? I don't think so but if We use the relation PV = nRT the circuit pressure rise so the temperature rise too.
You will have to explain this a little better. What is the "circuit" and what do you mean by temperature evolution - just a temperature change? Are you talking about an ideal gas? Are you talking about the gas in the vessel adding to the gas in the circuit? Is the volume of the circuit fixed? If so, does n (number of moles of gas in the circuit) not increase?

AM
 
Thanks for your post.

Yes exactly I am talking about a real gas. I have a valve between a pipe and the vessel. The gas flows from the vessel to the pipe from an initial pressure of 200 bar. The pipe is at atmospheric pressure and ambiant temperature with air composition. I want to know if there is an increase of the gas temperature at the outlet of the valve since the gas is flowing in a pipe of a fixed volume. The pressure drop due to the valve is really low, less than 1 bar.

Thanks for your help.

Hybro
 
It's not clear what you mean by 'a pipe of fixed volume'. The pipe will be of fixed volume only if one end is blocked by a closed valve or some other obstruction. If there is no obstruction, the gas will flow through the pipe on its way out of the other end.
 
hybro said:
Thanks for your post.

Yes exactly I am talking about a real gas. I have a valve between a pipe and the vessel. The gas flows from the vessel to the pipe from an initial pressure of 200 bar. The pipe is at atmospheric pressure and ambiant temperature with air composition. I want to know if there is an increase of the gas temperature at the outlet of the valve since the gas is flowing in a pipe of a fixed volume. The pressure drop due to the valve is really low, less than 1 bar.

Thanks for your help.

Hybro
Welcome to PF, by the way!

Applying the first law: Q = ΔU + W, since there is no work done on the surroundings and no heat flow into the gas, (Q = W = 0) there is no change in internal energy. Since it is a real gas (which I take to mean that there are material attractive intermolecular forces) the increase in internal intermolecular potential energy comes at the expense of the internal kinetic energy of the gas molecules. So temperature would decrease.

AM
 

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