Thermodynamics homework help, water cooled air cooler

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a thermodynamics homework problem related to a water-cooled air cooler. Participants are exploring concepts related to heat transfer, the first law of thermodynamics, and the necessary parameters for solving the problem, such as air density and velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how to find air density or velocity at entry to proceed with the problem.
  • Another participant suggests calculating the heat load from the water data and applying the open system version of the first law of thermodynamics to establish a relationship involving mass flow rate of air and enthalpy change.
  • A participant requests guidance on where to find a suitable statement of the open system version of the first law for application to the problem, indicating difficulty with existing resources like Wikipedia.
  • Further resources are suggested, including textbooks and online materials that may provide the necessary information on thermodynamics principles relevant to the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion remains unresolved, with participants expressing different levels of understanding and seeking clarification on specific aspects of the problem without reaching a consensus on the approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not established specific assumptions or definitions that may be critical for solving the problem, and there are indications of varying familiarity with the relevant thermodynamic concepts.

elecone
Messages
4
Reaction score
2
Homework Statement
A water cooled air cooler (WCAC) has the following conditions:

Air cooler:
mass flow rate: 10kg mins^-1
entry air temp: 300 degrees c
entry air pressure: 2 bar
entry pipe diameter: 0.1m
velocity of air on exit: 25 ms^-1

Water cooler:
mass flow rate: 10 kg min^-1
water temp increase by 50 degrees c

the heat transfer from air to water has an efficiency of 100%

Air Cp = 1.004 KJ Kg^-1K^-1
Air Cv = 0.717 KJ Kg^-1K^-1
Water specific heat = 4.187 KJ Kg^-1K^-1

What is the temperature of the air as it leaves the WCAC
Relevant Equations
pV=mRT
R=cp/cv
ṁ=pAC
I'm not looking for someone to tell me the answer, just help steer me in the right direction.

I feel like I need to find the air density or air velocity at entry to proceed, but I'm unsure

any help and guidance is greatly apricated!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Delta2
Physics news on Phys.org
no takers?
 
From the water data, what is the heat load (the rate of transfer of heat to the water)? If you apply the open system (control volume) version of the first law of thermodynamics to the air side of the heat exchanger, what do you get for the relationship between the mass flow rate of air, the enthalpy change per unit mass of the air, and the heat load?
 
Chestermiller said:
If you apply the open system (control volume) version of the first law of thermodynamics to the air side of the heat exchanger, what do you get for the relationship between the mass flow rate of air, the enthalpy change per unit mass of the air, and the heat load?
Excuse my ignorance but where I can find a statement of the open system version of the 1st law that is suitable for application to this problem. I tried wikipedia but without success , the section for open systems there seems not well written.
 
Delta2 said:
Excuse my ignorance but where I can find a statement of the open system version of the 1st law that is suitable for application to this problem. I tried wikipedia but without success , the section for open systems there seems not well written.
Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Moran et al, available on line

Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, Smith and van Ness

Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Perry et al

http://www.rshanthini.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/ThermoChap09.20063703.pdf
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Delta2

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Replies
25
Views
4K
Replies
21
Views
10K
Replies
4
Views
2K