Thermodynamics: Calculating Entropy Change for Mixing Streams

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the entropy change for mixing two streams of water at different temperatures, specifically focusing on the thermal equilibrium and energy conservation principles in thermodynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between mass flow rates and temperature changes, questioning how to apply the conservation of energy and entropy change equations. There is discussion about converting volumetric flow rates to mass flow rates and the implications for calculating final temperatures and entropy changes.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering guidance on how to set up equations for heat transfer and entropy change. There is recognition of the need to equate heat gained and lost by the streams, and some participants are questioning the assumptions about final temperatures and the correct application of entropy equations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of specific information, such as the cross-sectional area for flow rate calculations, and the need to clarify assumptions about heat loss and system isolation.

roam
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Homework Statement



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The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not sure how to approach this problem. I know of this equations for when they reach thermal equilibrium:

[itex]T_f = \frac{C_1 T_{1,i} + C_2T_{2,i}}{C_1+C_2}[/itex]

And this for entropy change:

[itex]\Delta S = C \ln \left( \frac{T_f}{T_i} \right)[/itex]

But how do we relate the speed of the two stream flows to all this? I appreciate if anyone could please help me to get started on this problem.
 
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Since you have the density of water as 1000 kg/m3 you can convert the volumetric flow rate given to a mass flow rate. Which then becomes a simple use of equating the rate of heat loss by one to the rate of heat gain by one.
 
rock.freak667 said:
Since you have the density of water as 1000 kg/m3 you can convert the volumetric flow rate given to a mass flow rate. Which then becomes a simple use of equating the rate of heat loss by one to the rate of heat gain by one.

Thank you. So the mass flow rates would be

[itex]\dot{m} = 1000 \times v \times A[/itex] (I do not have the cross-sectional area)

There is another equation [itex]Q = \frac{\dot{m}}{\rho}[/itex], but how do I relate this to the tempratures? Because I need to find the final temprature of the mixture. :confused:
 
roam said:
Thank you. So the mass flow rates would be

[itex]\dot{m} = 1000 \times v \times A[/itex] (I do not have the cross-sectional area)

There is another equation [itex]Q = \frac{\dot{m}}{\rho}[/itex], but how do I relate this to the tempratures? Because I need to find the final temprature of the mixture. :confused:

You have your volumetric flow rate in m3/s, you want mass flow rate in kg/s.

So you know that ρ= m/V so m = ρV, so that will give yu the mass flow rate m.

What would be the heat required to raise the temperature of water from T1 to T2 i.e. what is the formula? (Hint: What equation relates, mass, specific heat capacity and a temperature difference?)
 
rock.freak667 said:
You have your volumetric flow rate in m3/s, you want mass flow rate in kg/s.

So you know that ρ= m/V so m = ρV, so that will give yu the mass flow rate m.

What would be the heat required to raise the temperature of water from T1 to T2 i.e. what is the formula? (Hint: What equation relates, mass, specific heat capacity and a temperature difference?)

Thanks, so the mass flow rates are

[itex]\left\{\begin{matrix}m_1 = 1000 \times 5 = 5000 \ kg /s\\ m_2 = 1000 \times 2 = 2000 \ kg/s \end{matrix}\right.[/itex]

An equation for heat that relates mass, specific heat capacity and temprature difference is

[itex]Q=mc\Delta T[/itex]

So, do I need to find the heat required to raise the water at 0°C to the 20°C temprature of the second stream?

[itex]Q= m \times (4.18 \times 10^3) \times (293.15 \ K - 273.15 \ K)[/itex]

Which vlaue of m do I need use? And how does finding Q help us to determine the final temprature of the mixture?
 
roam said:
Thanks, so the mass flow rates are

[itex]\left\{\begin{matrix}m_1 = 1000 \times 5 = 5000 \ kg /s\\ m_2 = 1000 \times 2 = 2000 \ kg/s \end{matrix}\right.[/itex]

This is correct.

roam said:
An equation for heat that relates mass, specific heat capacity and temprature difference is

[itex]Q=mc\Delta T[/itex]

Also correct.

roam said:
So, do I need to find the heat required to raise the water at 0°C to the 20°C temprature of the second stream?

[itex]Q= m \times (4.18 \times 10^3) \times (293.15 \ K - 273.15 \ K)[/itex]

Which vlaue of m do I need use? And how does finding Q help us to determine the final temprature of the mixture?

Here's where your thinking is wrong. The final temperature will not be 20°C. What you should do is consider conservation of energy with no heat loss.

The stream at 0°C will gain the heat lost by the stream at 20°C.

Give your formula of Q=mcΔT can you make two expressions, one for the heat gained by the 0°C stream to the final temperature Tf AND one for the heat lost by the 20°C stream to the final temperature Tf?

When you do that, just put them equal to one another!
 
rock.freak667 said:
Here's where your thinking is wrong. The final temperature will not be 20°C. What you should do is consider conservation of energy with no heat loss.

The stream at 0°C will gain the heat lost by the stream at 20°C.

Give your formula of Q=mcΔT can you make two expressions, one for the heat gained by the 0°C stream to the final temperature Tf AND one for the heat lost by the 20°C stream to the final temperature Tf?

When you do that, just put them equal to one another!

Thank you very much, that's a great idea! It worked out as follows

[itex]5000 \times (4.18 \times 10^3) \times (T_f - 293.15) = 2000 \times (4.18 \times 10^3) \times (T_f - 273.15)[/itex]

[itex]5000T_f-(5000 \times293.15) = 2000T_f - (2000 \times 273.15)[/itex]

[itex]3000 T_f = 919450 \ \therefore T_f = 306.483 \ K[/itex]

But now for the second part of the problem I need to calculate "the total rate of change of entropy". So I know of the following equation which gives the total change of entropy for the object+environment:

[itex]\Delta S_{o+e} = C_o \ln \left( \frac{T_f}{T_o} \right) +C_e \ln \left( \frac{T_f}{T_e} \right)[/itex]

Is this the correct equation in this case for the total rate of change of entropy?
 
Last edited:
I think you need to add the entropy change of stream 1 to the entropy change of stream 2.
 
rock.freak667 said:
I think you need to add the entropy change of stream 1 to the entropy change of stream 2.

Using the equation [itex]\Delta S = C \ln \left( \frac{T_f}{T_i} \right)[/itex]?
 
  • #10
roam said:
Using the equation [itex]\Delta S = C \ln \left( \frac{T_f}{T_i} \right)[/itex]?

Yes, try it.
 

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