October 25, 2018

MMÜ 205 Thermodynamics

suggested problems - set # 2

1) A vertical cylindrical mass of 5 kg undergoes a process during which the velocity decreases
from 30 m/s to 15 m/s, while the elevation remains unchanged. The initial specific internal
energy of the mass is 1.2 kJ/kg and the final specific internal energy is 1.9 kJ/kg. During the
process, the mass receives 2 kJ of energy by heat transfer through its bottom surface and
loses 1 kJ of energy by heat transfer through its top surface. The lateral surface experiences
no heat transfer. For this process, evaluate (a) the change in kinetic energy of the mass in kJ,
and (b) the work in kJ.

2) (Fall 2011 exam question) A gas undergoes a thermodynamic cycle consisting of the following
three processes:
process 1-2: constant volume, V=0.1 m3, heat addition, Q=30 kJ
process 2-3: expansion with pV=constant, U3=U2
process 3-1: constant pressure compression, p=2 bar, W31= − 20 kJ
a) Sketch the cycle on a p-V diagram
b) Determine the net work of the cycle, in kJ
c) Determine the heat transfer for process 2-3, in kJ.
d) Determine the heat transfer for process 3-1, in kJ.

3) A piston cylinder device as shown in figure initially contains air at 150 kPa and 400 °C. A
device is now cooled to the ambient temperature of 20
°C. Assume the ideal gas model is valid, then, pV = mRT
(where pressure in kPa, volume in m3, mass in kg,
temperature in K and R=0.287 kJ/kgK)
a) Determine, whether the piston is resting on the
stops in the final state or not. What is the final
pressure in the cylinder?
b) What is the specific work done by the air during the
process?

4) The following table gives data, all in kJ, for a system undergoing a thermodynamic cycle
consisting of four processes. Determine the missing table entries and state whether the cycle
is a power cycle of refrigeration cycle.

process ΔU ΔKE ΔPE ΔE Q W

1-2 76 -5.3 -6.3 0
2-3 67.5 0 95
3-4 102 0 97
4-1 0 3.2 0
 October 25, 2018

5) Air is contained in a vertical piston-cylinder assembly by a piston of mass 50 kg and having a

face area of 0.01 m2. The mass of the air is 5 grams and initially the air occupies a volume of 5
liters. The atmospheric pressure on top of the piston is 100 kPa. In a process, the volume of
the air slowly decreases to 0.002 m3 as the specific internal energy of the air decreases by 260
kJ/kg. Neglecting friction between the piston and the cylinder, determine the heat transfer to
the air in kJ.

6) As shown in the figure, a gas within a piston-cylinder device undergoes a thermodynamic

cycle:
process 1-2: compression with U2 = U1
process 2-3: constant volume cooling to P3 = 140 kPa and V3 = 0.028 m3
process 3-1: constant pressure expansion with W31 = 10.5 kJ

For the cycle, Wcycle = -8.3 kJ. There is no change in kinetic

and potential energies. Determine:
i- The volume at state 1
ii- The work and heat transfer for process 1 to 2
iii- Can this be a power cycle? A refrigeration cycle?
Explain.

7) The thermal efficiency of a power cycle -see the figure below (a)- is 35% and Qout = 40 MJ.
Determine the net work developed and the heat transfer Qin.

8) A refrigeration cycle -see the figure below (b)- operating has heat transfer Qout = 2530 kJ and
requires a net work input of 844 kJ. Determine the coefficient of performance of the cycle