THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING MMAN2700 THERMODYNAMICS

THERMODYNAMIC PROCESSES EXPERIMENT (T1) 2008

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES LABORATORY Room L211

1. INTRODUCTION
In thermodynamic theory, processes can be described using basic relationships between the properties of an ideal gas and by equations derived from the conservation of energy (First Law of Thermodynamics). Ideal processes require quasistatic behaviour which means that the gas is in quasi-equilibrium with its surroundings during the entire process. In practice, however, ideal processes are difficult to obtain due to the rate at which the process takes place and the rate at which reactions with the environment (e.g. heat transfer) take place. These two simple experiments are intended to give the student the opportunity to investigate some of the differences between real and ideal processes due to interaction with the environment and the experimental methods used. Some simple calculations are required. Preparation prior to the laboratory period is essential. Preliminary work must be done in the bound laboratory book and submitted to the Demonstrator in order to gain entry to the experiment. Complete Section 4 after reading these notes. You are required to take observations for three processes: Expansion process, Compression process A and Compression process B.

2. EXPANSION PROCESS
2.1 Description In this experiment two tanks of equal volume, both containing gas (air) at different pressures, one initially at atmospheric pressure and the other approximately 150 kPa above this, are interconnected by a valve. The tanks are initially in thermal equilibrium with the surroundings. The tanks are of rigid metal construction so that changes in the tank volume for the pressures used are negligible. The tanks are made of metal with good heat conducting properties and have a large thermal capacity compared with their contents.
Pressure gauge T-type Thermocouple TA Air Finger Valve Tank A Finger Valve Tank B Finger Valve PA PB T-type Thermocouple TB Exhaust Silencer

Pressures and temperatures within the tanks can be monitored using pressure gauges and panel mounted thermocouple readouts.

-2When the valve between the tanks is opened, the pressures in the tanks will equalise. Note that this is a mixing process which cannot be represented by a path on a state diagram. Only the state points before mixing and after pressure equilibrium between the tanks has occurred can be used to analyse the process. 2.2 Procedure Step 1: Prior to commencing the experiment, monitor the temperatures and pressures within the system to ensure that the system is in equilibrium and to establish their values. Step 2: Open the finger valve so that the pressure in the tanks will equalise. Step 3: After pressure equilibrium is reached record the data. 2.3 Analysis (a) Describe the temperature change in each container from your observations. Idealise this process in simple terms (e.g. constant pressure, isothermal, adiabatic) for purposes of calculations. Determine the mass of air initially held in each vessel. Once equilibrium has been fully established, determine: (i) the change of the total internal energy of the complete system; (ii) the nett work transfer; (iii) the nett heat transfer.

(b) (c)

3. COMPRESSION PROCESSES A and B

3.1 Description In this experiment a gas can be compressed in a closed cylinder by introducing fluid (Dow Corning 200 Silicone Fluid) from a separate pressured container.
C om pressed A ir P ressure G auge Fast response T -type T herm ocouple

V ents internal space of R eservoir to atm osphere in the off position

Finger V alves R eservoir

A ir

V C ylinder B all V alve

Scale

D .C .S. Fluid

The volume of gas in the cylinder can be changed incrementally by making step changes to the pressure in the fluid reservoir. Pressure, temperature and volume data have to be observed and recorded.

-33.2 Procedure for Compression Process A Step 1: After observing that the system is in equilibrium, record the initial pressure, temperature and position of the surface of the fluid in the glass cylinder. Step 2: Make small changes to the pressure in the cylinder by adjusting the air pressure valve in steps (say, 20 kPa) and record the new data. Step 3: Allow sufficient time between steps to ensure that equilibrium has been reached. Continue the process until the final pressure of about 180 kPa(g) has been achieved. Step 4: Make further observations of T and V for several minutes at the final pressure. 3.3 Procedure for Compression Process B Step 1: After returning the system to its initial setting and again observing that the system is in equilibrium, record the initial pressure, temperature and position of the surface of the fluid in the glass cylinder. Step 2: Open the valve allowing a rapid change of pressure from the initial state to the final value of 180 kPa(g). Step 3: Record the immediate final values.

3.4 Analysis 3.4.1 For Compression Process A (a) (b) (c) Sketch a p-V diagram for the process. Determine the work done on the air in the glass cylinder by using the p-V diagram. Calculate a polytropic index n for the process from both p1V1n = p 2V2n and T2 p 2 = T1 p1
n 1 n

using the initial and final state points. Why is there a difference between these two values? (d) Sketch the quasistatic isothermal process on the same p-V diagram, starting at the same conditions and finishing at the same volume.

3.4.2 For Compression Process B (a) Calculate a polytropic index n for this process from T2 p2 = T1 p1 using the initial and final state points.
n 1 n

-43.4.3 For Compression Processes A and B (a) (b) Compare the experimental polytropic index for both processes with the values for the two theoretical processes (i.e. isothermal, n = 1, and frictionless adiabatic, n = ). Comment on the direction of heat transfer, if any during the experiment.

4. PRELIMINARY WORK
(To be done in the bound laboratory book and submitted to the Demonstrator in order to gain entry to the experiment) 1. Write down the values and units of Cp, Cv and R for air. 2. Write down the First Law for the systems considered in this experiments. 3. Draw up a table in your log book for compression process B.
Reading Pressure kPa (abs) Temperature C Height mm Volume m3

1 2 3 4 5 6

4. Rearrange the expression p1V1n = p 2V2n p T 5. Rearrange the expression 2 = 2 T1 p1

n 1 n

to permit the calculation of n.

to permit the calculation of n.

6. For an isothermal process, what is the value of n? 7. Starting from p1V1n = p 2V2n , derive an expression for p2 for an isothermal process.