BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE, PILANI (RAJ)

First Semester (2013-2014)

Course No: ME F 214/MF F214
Applied Thermodynamics
Comprehensive examination (close book)
Max Mark: 90 Wednesday, 4th November 2013 Duration: 3hrs
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Note: 1) Use suitable data whenever necessary.
2) Use of thermodynamics property table and charts are permitted.
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Q.1.
Q.1.(i) In an electric generating station, using a binary vapor cycle with mercury in upper cycle and
steam in the lower cycle, the ratio of mercury to the steam flow is 10:1 on mass basis. At an
evaporation rate of 1,000,000 kg/h for the mercury, its enthalpy rises by 456 kJ/kg as it passes
through the boiler. Superheating the steam in the boiler furnace adds 586 kJ/kg to the steam
enthalpy. The mercury give up 251.2 kJ/kg during condensation, and steam give up 2003 kJ/kg
in its condenser. The overall boiler efficiency is 85%, combine turbine mechanical and generator
efficiencies are 95% for each mercury and steam units. The steam auxiliaries require 5% of the
energy generated the complete unit. Find the overall efficiency of the plant. [10]

Q.1.(ii) A steam power plant with inlet steam to the HP turbine at 8 MPa bar and 500 oC, and
condensation at 40oC produces 500MW. It has one stage of reheat optimally place at 1.6 MPa
which rises the steam temperature back to 500oC. One closed feed water heater with drains
cascaded back to the condenser received bled steam at reheat pressure and the remaining steam is
reheated and then expanded in the LP turbine. The HP and LP turbine have isentropic
efficiencies of 92 % and 90% respectively. The isentropic efficiency of pump is 75%. Calculate
a) Mass flow rate of steam at turbine inlet in kg/s
b) Cycle efficiency
c) Cycle work ratio
d) Draw the process schematic diagram and plot in T-s plot [10]

Q.1.(iii) A) What are the differences between closed and open feed water heater. What are criterions to
select the number of closed and open feed water heater? [2.5]
B) What is mean temperature of heat addition in Rankine cycle? How the efficiency of Rankine
cycle depends on mean temperature of heat addition in practical operating temperatures. Explain
with T-s plot and justify the answer. [2.5]
C) Find the reversible work and second law efficiencies for a turbine. It receives steam at 3MPa,
500oC and has two exit flows, one at 1MPa, 350oC with 20% of the flow and the remainder at
0.2MPa, 200oC. [5]

Q.2.
Q.2.(i) Air enters the compressor of a gas turbine system at a pressure of 1.013 bar and temperature 300
K. The pressure of air after compression is 6 bar. The isentropic efficiency of compressor and
turbine are 85 % and 91 % respectively. Air Fuel ratio used is 95:1. If the flow rate of air is 5
kg/s Determine (a) Draw TS diagram (b) Temperature at all cardinal points (c) Net power
developed, in kW. (d) Thermal efficiency
Assume Cp = 1.005 kJ/kgK, γ = 1.3 and Calorific value of fuel = 42000 kJ/ kg [10]
Q.2.(ii) A single acting two stage air compressor running at 450 rpm with complete inter-cooling and
minimum work input conditions, delivers air 5 kg/ minute at 12 bar. Assuming an intake at 1 bar,
180C, compression and expansion follow the law PV 1.3= Constant. Calculate (a) Draw P-V
diagram (b) Power required to run the compressor (kW) (c) Isothermal efficiency of compressor
(d) Free air delivered per second (e) If the clearance volume ratios for the LP a and HP cylinders
are 0.05 and 0.07. Calculate volumetric efficiency and swept volume for each cylinder. [10]
Properties of Air; R=0.287 kJ/kgK, Cv = 0.71 kJ/kg K

Q.2.(iii) (A) What is circulation ratio? Mention the range in which circulation ratio should vary, also
discuss the effects of low or high circulation ratio. [5]
(B) In what condition ideal gas turbine cycle will approach to Ericsson cycle. Justify with
suitable plots. [5]
Q.3.
Q.3.(i) A two stage vapor compression refrigeration system operates with R-134a between the
temperature limits of 400C and -200C. The refrigerant leaves the condenser as a saturated liquid
and is throttled to a flash chamber operating at 0.294 MPa. The refrigerant leaves the low
pressure compressor and is also routed to the flash chamber. The vapor in the flash chamber is
then compressed to the condenser pressure by the high pressure compressor, and the liquid is
throttled to the evaporator pressure. Assuming refrigerant leaves the evaporator as a saturated
vapor and both compressors are isentropic, determine a) the fraction of refrigerant evaporates as
it throttle to the flash chamber, b) the rate of heat removed from the refrigerated space for mass
flow rate of 0.25 kg/s through the condenser, and c) COP
Sketch the system and cycle on the p-h diagram giving relevant property values.
Assume Cpg @ 313K =1.13 kJ/kg K and Cpg @ 0.294 MPa =0.899 kJ/kg K [10]

Q.3.(ii) Given:
Room conditions: 26.50C DBT, ϕ=50%
Room Sensible heat gain= 26.3 kW
Room sensible heat factor= 0.82
Determine:
a) The room latent heat
b) The apparatus dew point
c) The cmm of air if it is supplied at ADP
d) The cmm and specific humidity of air if it is supplied to the room at 170C
(e) The bypass factor of the coil if it is supplied to the room at 170C [10]

Q.3.(iii) (A) Explain why flash intercoolers are preferred when ammonia is used as a refrigerant in the
refrigeration system. [2]
(B) The COP of an air refrigeration cycle is very low, even then why air-refrigeration system is
most common in the air craft. [2]
(C) It is observed that some moisture condenses during adiabatic mixing process of two
unsaturated airstreams. Under what condition will this be the case? Show on chart. [2]
(D) In vapor absorption refrigeration cycle, why is the fluid in the absorber cooled, and the fluid
in the generator heated? [2]
(E) Does air contains moisture at -6 C? If yes what will be the maximum vapor pressure
0

corresponding to this state. [2]

 Q.3. (iii)
(A) Explain why flash intercoolers are preferred when ammonia is used as a refrigerant in the
refrigeration system.
Ans: The mass of liquid ammonia evaporated in flash intercooler is extremely small because of
its high latent heat of vaporization and hence the work required for H.P. compressor will be less.
Other reason is the isentropic compression process, for ammonia the process becomes very flat at
high temperature which requires more work and hence flash intercoolers are used to decrease the
required work.

(B) The COP of an air refrigeration cycle is very low, even then why air-refrigeration system is
most common in the air craft.
Ans: 1) Compressed is easily available from the main compressor and therefore no extra space
and no extra fixation is required. 2) Chilled air can be directly used for the cabin cooling;
cost of separate evaporator and its cost are eliminated. 3) Air is non toxic, non inflammable and
refrigerant.
Due to above reasons air refrigeration cycle is preferred though its COP is less.

(C) It is observed that some moisture condenses during adiabatic mixing process of two
unsaturated airstreams. Under what condition will this be the case? Show on chart.
Ans: When the state of two air streams is located near to the saturation curve, the process line
joining the two states will cross the saturation curve, and the point of mixing lie on the
left side of the saturation curve, in this case, some water will condense during the mixing
process.

(D) In ammonia vapor absorption refrigeration cycle, why is the fluid in the absorber cooled, and
the fluid in the generator heated?
Ans: The amount of ammonia that can be dissolved in water is inversely proportional to the
temperature. Therefore it is necessary to cool the absorber to maintain its temperature as low as
possible, hence to maximize the amount of ammonia dissolve in water.
Generator is heated to evaporate the ammonia from the rich ammonia and water solution.

(E) Does air contains moisture at -6 0C? If yes what will be the maximum vapor pressure
corresponding to this state.
Ans: Yes, air contains moisture at -60C. Corresponding maximum vapor pressure will be the
saturation pressure at -60C from thermodynamic property table the pressure is 0.3689 kPa.