Thermodynamics (refreshing air in airplane cabin)

In summary, airlines recirculate air in airplane cabins to save costs, as it would be expensive to use fresh air due to the extreme outside conditions at high altitudes. However, compressing and heating the air for every air change is costly and inefficient. This is why airlines use compressor air from the jet engines, which leads to dry and uncomfortable air for passengers.
  • #1
racnna
40
0
It is thought that people develop respiratory infections during air travel because much of the airplane cabin air is recirculated. Airiines claim that using only fresh air in the cabins is too costly since at an altitude of 30 000 feet the outside conditions are -50°C and 0.1 bar, so that the air would have to be compressed and heated before being introduced into the cabin. The airplane cabin has a volume of 100 [tex]m^3[/tex] with air at the inflight conditions of 25°C and 0.8 bar. What would be the cost of completely refreshing the air every minute
if air has a heat capacity of C; = 30 J/(mol K) and energy costs, $0.2 per kW hr?

Im using the energy balance
[tex]\frac{dU}{dt}=\frac{dN}{dt} H +Q +W[/tex]
i have done the derivation but the expression is complicated so i wanted to see what you guys come up with
 
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  • #2
Have you looked at a T-S diagram for Air and the isentropic gas relations? I would model the pressure change first as an isentropic compression, and then if after compression the air needs some additional heating you can take care of that with Isentropic Ideal Gas Relations

You many be able to get some of what you need out of the NIST website:
http://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/fluid/

Isentropic gas relations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isentropic_process#Table_of_isentropic_relations_for_an_ideal_gas
 
  • #3
Compressing the air back to close to 1 bar is painfully expensive. It requires so much energy that the air heats up more than what is desired. Moreover, the heated air is super dry, so it is minimally moisturized for passenger comfort.
Airplanes do it by stealing some of the compressor air from the jet engines, at a real sacrifice in efficiency. You need to process 8000 cubic meters of intake air every air change in your example.
 

1. What is Thermodynamics?

Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of the relationships between heat, work, temperature, and energy. It is concerned with how energy is transferred between different forms and how it affects the properties and behavior of matter.

2. How is Thermodynamics related to refreshing air in airplane cabins?

In the context of airplane cabins, Thermodynamics is important because it helps us understand the principles that govern the exchange of heat and air between the inside and outside of the cabin. This is crucial for maintaining a comfortable and healthy environment for passengers during flight.

3. Why is it important to refresh air in airplane cabins?

Airplane cabins are sealed environments, which means that without proper ventilation, the air inside can become stale and uncomfortable. Refreshing the air helps to maintain a balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, regulate temperature, and remove any pollutants or odors.

4. How is air refreshed in airplane cabins?

Air is refreshed in airplane cabins through a process called air exchange. This involves bringing in fresh air from outside the plane and removing stale air from inside. This can be achieved through a combination of ventilation systems, air filters, and opening and closing of doors and windows.

5. What factors affect the efficiency of refreshing air in airplane cabins?

The efficiency of refreshing air in airplane cabins can be affected by several factors, including the design and maintenance of the ventilation system, the number of passengers on board, the duration of the flight, and the outside temperature and air quality. It is important for airlines to regularly monitor and maintain these factors in order to ensure a comfortable and healthy environment for passengers.

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