Thermodynamics- Refrigeration of water/ice

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem involving the calculation of the minimum power required for a refrigerator to freeze 150g of water at 0°C within one minute, with the ambient temperature at 20°C. Participants explore thermodynamic principles, including specific heat capacity and latent heat of fusion, while applying relevant equations to derive power requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the energy required to freeze the water using both specific heat and latent heat, arriving at a work done of 4580 J and a power requirement of 76 Watts, expressing concern that this value seems too low.
  • A second participant revisits the problem, focusing solely on the latent heat of fusion, calculating a heat removal value of -49950 J and deriving a power requirement of 61 Watts, while noting the assumption of maximum efficiency.
  • A third participant suggests that the first calculation was initially correct but points out a miscalculation regarding the total heat removed, emphasizing that only the latent heat should be considered.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the correct power requirement, as participants arrive at different values (76 Watts vs. 61 Watts) based on their interpretations and calculations. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the correct approach and assumptions made in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the assumptions made in their calculations, particularly regarding the efficiency of the refrigeration process and the correct application of thermodynamic equations. There are indications of miscalculations and differing interpretations of the problem's requirements.

Murgs2012
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
1. Homework Statement
A refrigerator is to freeze 150g of water at 0°c in one minute, the ambient temperature being 20°C. Calculate in Watts the minimum power required?

So known stuff:
mass of water =0.15kg
Temp of cold reservoir= 273k
Temp of warm reservoir= 293k
Specific heat capacity of water = 4190 J/kg k
Specific latent heat of fusion of water= 3.33x105 J/kg

2. Homework Equations
Q=mcΔt
Q=±mLf
COP= Q2/W
W=Q1-Q2
Power=W/T
Q1/Q2 = T1/T2
3. The Attempt at a Solution

First off i thought good idea to work out how much energy would take to actually freeze all the water so which was like (0.15*4190*-20)+(0.15*-333000)= -62520 J (assume that means that 62520J was released to the system from the water as it converted to ice)

I thought this was the Q1 value, then knowing T1 was 273 k and T2 was 293 k subbed into Q1/Q2 = T1/T2 to solve for Q2 which was (-62520)(293)/ (273) which gets Q2=-67000.

But then Work done= Q1-Q2 so like -62520--67000= 4580J

Then work done/time = power

and then like 4580/60 = 76 Watts... but that's too small to freeze water that fast surely?


Any ideas?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Delete i wrote it down wrong.
 
heres my next go at it...
1. Homework Statement
A refrigerator is to freeze 150g of water at 0°c in one minute, the ambient temperature being 20°C. Calculate in Watts the minimum power required?

So known stuff:
mass of water =0.15kg
Temp of cold reservoir= 273k
Temp of warm reservoir= 293k
Specific latent heat of fusion of water= 3.33x105 J/kg

2. Homework Equations

Q=±mLf
COP= QH/W
W=QH+QC
Power=wd/T
Q1/Q2 = -T1/T2
3. The Attempt at a Solution

First of, i assume the water is already at 0°c or 273k, so need only need to calculate the Latent heat of fusion for the water. As the water is freezing i think its Q=-mLf so -(0.15x3.33x105) = -49950J.

I then said this was the value for Qc.
The question asks for the minimum power required so i though we assume its a carnot engine, so max efficiency, so
Qc/Qh= -Tc/Th to calculate the value for Qh. which gets (-49950*293)/(273) which gets a Qh value of 53609J.

So seeing as work done on the system is equal to Qh+Qc then work done would be 53609+(-49950) J
=3659J work done on engine.

then power=work done/ time
so 3659/60 = 61 Watts.

i know its assuming that the system is max efficient but that just feels low.
 
You were right the first time! (I did not check your computations on the total heat removed from the water though).

EDIT: I see now you did miscalculate the heat removed from the water. It's just the latent heat of fusion that's to be removed.

And 61W is the correct answer, assuming you computed the latent heat correctly.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
747
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
6K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K