Thermodynamics- determining mechanical power

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
7 replies · 16K views
MacLaddy
Gold Member
Messages
290
Reaction score
11

Homework Statement



Hello all,

I've worked through the problem below, but I feel my answer is incorrect. I would appreciate it if someone could check my work.

Water is pumped from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir by a pump that provides 20kW of shaft power. The free surface of the upper reservoir is 45m higher than that of the lower reservoir. If the flow rate of water is measured to be 0.03 m^3/s, determine mechanical power that is converted to thermal energy during this process due to frictional effects.


Homework Equations



[itex]e_m = ke =(\frac{P}{\rho})(\frac{1}{2}\vec{V}^2)(gz)[/itex]

[itex]\dot{E}=\dot{m}e_m[/itex]

[itex]\dot{m}=\rho\dot{V}[/itex]

[itex]\eta=\frac{energy-out}{energy-in}[/itex]


The Attempt at a Solution



[itex]e_m = ke =(\frac{P}{\rho})(\frac{1}{2}\vec{V}^2)(gz)=gz=(9.81\frac{m}{s^2})(45m)=441.45\frac{m^2}{s^2}=441.45\frac{J}{kg}[/itex]

[itex]\dot{m}=\rho\dot{V}=(1 \frac{kg}{m^3})(0.03\frac{m^3}{s})=0.03\frac{kg}{s}[/itex]

[itex]\dot{E}=\dot{m}e_m=(0.03\frac{kg}{s})(441.45\frac{J}{kg})=13.24\frac{J}{s}=13.24W = 13.24*10^{-3}kW[/itex]

[itex]\eta=\frac{13.24*10^{-3}kW}{20kW}=.66*10^{-3}=0.066[/itex]%

[itex]20kW-20\eta= 19.99 kW[/itex]


So 19.99 kW out of 20 are wasted to heat in this problem? doesn't seem correct.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You have the density of water as 1 kg / m^3. This is some really, really light water.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: baldbrain
Ha, how did I miss that? Thanks.

How's the rest of my method look?
 
You have the wrong value for the density of water. [edit: nevermind, Steam King beat me to it]
 
Going through it with the proper density, I come up with 6.76 kW lost to heat. Sound about right?
 
Last edited:
Hello! How did you get 6.76 kW? I am with you until you get the .066%. Even with the correct density of water that should just eliminate your 10^ -3.

upload_2018-1-17_14-43-52.png
= .662

20 kW- .662

This is where I am stuck! Please help. Thank you so much.
 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-1-17_14-43-52.png
    upload_2018-1-17_14-43-52.png
    912 bytes · Views: 2,749
AbbeyC172 said:
Hello! How did you get 6.76 kW? I am with you until you get the .066%. Even with the correct density of water that should just eliminate your 10^ -3.

View attachment 218603= .662

20 kW- .662

This is where I am stuck! Please help. Thank you so much.
20 kW- 13.24 kW = 6.76 kW
 
Chestermiller said:
20 kW- 13.24 kW = 6.76 kW
Thank you! I feel stupid for missing that.