Thermodynamics Entropy +2nd law problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a thermodynamics problem involving the expansion of propane in a turbine, where the goal is to determine the lowest possible exhaust temperature and the work obtained. Participants clarify that the pressure calculated using the Ideal Gas Law should not be treated as specific, as pressure is independent of mass or mole mass. They emphasize the importance of using equations for isentropic processes due to negligible heat transfer to the surroundings. The conversation also highlights that the initial pressure calculation is valid for the problem's context. Overall, the focus is on ensuring the correct application of thermodynamic principles to solve the problem effectively.
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Homework Statement


Propane at 350 degrees Celsius and 600cm^3 / mol is expanded in a turbine. The exhaust is atmospheric. What is the lowest possible exhaust temperature? How much work is obtained? You may assume ideal gas behavior and the heat transfer to the surroundings is negligible.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I haven't gotten too far but I would like someone to confirm what I have done so far is correct, I went straight to finding the work done which by using a form of Bernoulli's is W/n = \int vdP to find the first pressure I did Ideal Gas Law P1=(350+273)*n*(8.314)/(600cm^3/mol) to get a specific Pressure(the problem didn't give any mole information or mass) Then I did the integral and found Work/mol but I am getting an extremely large number for the initial pressure (8.633*10^6 Pa). I'm a little iffy on if I can actually use a specific pressure here can anyone help please
 
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you can find propane mole mass: it's CH3-CH2-CH3, so it's 3×12 + 8×1 = 44 kg/kmol.
i get the same pressure as you did. it's not that high pressure for a turbine, i guess. note that pressure cannot be specific, it doesn't depend on mass or mole mass.
since heat transfer to the surroundings is negligible, you should use equations for isentropic processes. search wikipedia for isentropic or adiabatic or so, there must be equations like (p1/p2) = (T1/T2)^(sth).
to calculate work, you don't have to start with that integral. just use the equations already derived from that integral.
 
thank you very much I got it.
 
although pressure cannot be specific is this calculation of pressure correcT? what I mean is will the pressure calculated here work for the rest of the problem?

also how do I know this is an isentropic process
 
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sure it'll work, juse keep in mind results will be in units of Joule/kg or Joule/mole or m3/kg etc.

this is isentropic because there is no heat transfer to the surroundings.
 
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