MEHB213, Semester 2, 2013/2014

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
PUTRAJAYA CAMPUS
FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER 2, 2013/2014

PROGRAMME

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours)

Bachelor of Electical Power Engineering (Honours)
Bachelor of Electrical & Electronics Engineering (Honours)

SUBJECT CODE

MEHB 213

SUBJECT

Thermodynamics 1

DATE

January 2014

TIME

3 Hours

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
1. Do not open this question paper until you are instructed to do so.
2. Answer ALL questions
3. Write your answer in the answer booklet provided.
4. Begin your answer to each question on a fresh new page of the answer booklet.
5. You are not allowed to bring in lecture notes, text book and any unauthorized
materials in the examination hall.
6. Symbols not defined have their usual meaning.
7. The Thermodynamics Property Table is provided.

THIS QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF 4 PRINTED PAGES INCLUDING

THIS COVER PAGE.
Page 1 of 4

MEHB213, Semester 2, 2013/2014

QUESTION 1 (25 marks)

Nitrogen gas used for pharmaceutical process is contained in a piston cylinder device
with mass m and constant specific heats ratio, k. If the kinetic and potential energy
changes are negligible and assuming ideal gas behaviour,
a. Show that for any adiabatic process, the work can be calculated by
W =

mR(T2 T1 )
1k
[5 marks]

b. If the process is polytropic which pressure relation is given by (PVn = constant),

show that the process is also corresponds to an adiabatic process.
[3 marks]
If the volume of the piston cylinder device is 0.05 m3 and the temperature and pressure
are -21 C and 10 MPa respectively, determine the mass of nitrogen using
c. ideal gas model.

[5 marks]

d. data from compressibility chart

[10 marks]

Comment on the applicability of the ideal gas model for nitrogen at this state. [2 marks]
QUESTION 2 (20 marks)
a. What is the second law of thermodynamics?

[3 marks]

b. With reference to heat engine, show that it is impossible to obtain 100% efficiency.
[5 marks]
c. A refrigeration cycle having a coefficient of performance of 3 maintains a computer laboratory at 18 C on a day when the outside temperature is 30 C. The
thermal load at steady state consists of energy entering through the walls and
windows at a rate of 30,000 kJ/h and from the occupants, computers, and lighting
at a rate of 6,000 kJ/h.
(i) Calculate the power required by this cycle.

[5 marks]

(ii) Compare the power required with the minimum theoretical power required
for any refrigeration cycle operating under these conditions. Comment on
your answer.
[7 marks]

Page 2 of 4

MEHB213, Semester 2, 2013/2014

QUESTION 3 (20 marks)

A vapour compression refrigeration system circulates Refrigerant 134a at a rate of 6
kg/min. The refrigerant enters the compressor at -10 C, 1.4 bar and exits at 7 bar.
The isentropic compression efficiency is 67%. There is no appreciable pressure drops
as the refrigerant flows through the condenser and evaporator. The refrigerant leaves
the condenser at 7 bars, 24 C. Ignoring the heat transfer between the compressor and
surroundings, determine
a. the coefficient of performance of the system

[10 marks]

b. the refrigerating capacity

[5 marks]

c. sketch the cycle in a T-s diagram with respect to saturation lines.

[5 marks]

QUESTION 4 (35 marks)

Metro power plant is operating on an ideal Rankine cycle with water as the working
fluid. The basic components that make up the cycle are boiler, steam turbine, condenser
and pump. In the power plant, saturated vapour enters the turbine at 17.5 MPa while
the condenser pressure is maintained at 5 kPa.
a. Show the process on a T-s diagram with respect to saturation line.
b. Evaluate the thermal efficiency of the power plant.

[2 marks]
[10 marks]

In order to enhance efficiency, Metro power plant plans to upgrade its existing plant
system. It is known that one of the method to increase the power plant efficiency is by
introducing regenerative cycle. As a consultant to Metro Power Station,
c. List and briefly describe TWO other methods to increase the efficiency of the
power plant.
[4 marks]
You propose to upgrade the existing power plant by the addition of a regenerative vapour
power cycle module with one feedwater heater. As a guide, some steam from the steam
turbine is diverted to an open feedwater heater at 1 MPa. Superheated vapour enters
the first stage turbine at 17.5 MPa and 550 C. Saturated liquid exits the open feedwater
heater at 1 MPa and condenser pressure is maintained as the existing pressure. The flow
diagram is shown in Figure 1 in Page 4. Assuming Ideal Regenerative-Rankine cycle,
d. Show the processes in a T-s diagram with respect to saturation line.

[3 marks]

e. Evaluate the net work per unit mass of steam.

[9 marks]

Page 3 of 4

MEHB213, Semester 2, 2013/2014

f. Estimate the thermal efficiency of the modified power plant.

[4 marks]

g. What is the heat transfer to cooling water passing through the condenser per unit
mass of steam entering the first turbine stage?
[3 marks]

Figure 1: Ranking-Regeneration Cycle

-END OF QUESTION PAPER-

Page 4 of 4