Thermodynamics Entropy +2nd law problem

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on solving a thermodynamics problem involving the expansion of propane at 350 degrees Celsius and 600 cm³/mol in a turbine, with atmospheric exhaust. The lowest possible exhaust temperature and the work obtained are to be calculated assuming ideal gas behavior and negligible heat transfer. Participants confirmed the use of the Ideal Gas Law for pressure calculations and emphasized the application of isentropic process equations due to the absence of heat transfer. The calculated initial pressure was confirmed to be appropriate for turbine operations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Ideal Gas Law and its application to gases.
  • Familiarity with isentropic and adiabatic processes in thermodynamics.
  • Knowledge of Bernoulli's equation and its derivation for work calculations.
  • Basic skills in calculus for integrating pressure-volume relationships.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study isentropic process equations and their applications in thermodynamic systems.
  • Learn about the Ideal Gas Law and its implications for real gas behavior.
  • Explore Bernoulli's equation in detail, particularly in relation to turbine work calculations.
  • Investigate the properties of propane and its behavior under varying thermodynamic conditions.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mechanical engineering, particularly those focusing on thermodynamics, as well as anyone involved in the design and analysis of turbine systems.

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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
 
Last edited:
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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