ENR208: Engineering Thermodynamics
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Ahmedabad University
Winter Semester - 2026
Practice Problem Set: Module 3
Date: 13/03/2026
Q1. The maximum useful work obtainable from a system as it comes to equilibrium with
surroundings is called:
a) Internal energy
b) Enthalpy
c) Availability
d) Entropy
Q2. Irreversibility is equal to:
a) T0ΔSsystem
b) T0ΔSuniverse
c) TΔSsystem
d) Q/T
Q3. All the natural processes occurring in the universe are
a) reversible process
b) irreversible process
c) both a) and b)
d) none of the above
Q4. In a steady flow process, specific flow exergy is given by:
a) u−T0s
b) h−T0s
c) h−h0−T0(s−s0)
d) pv−T0s
Q5. Exergy destruction is directly proportional to:
a) Heat transfer
MODULE 3 ENR208
b) Work output
c) Entropy generation
d) Pressure drop
Q6. Define available energy (availability) and unavailable energy.
Q7. Differentiate between reversible and irreversible work.
Q8. What is irreversibility? Show its mathematical expression.
Q9. Define exergy. Why is exergy destroyed in real processes?
Q10. Write the exergy balance equation for a steady flow control volume.
Q11. Derive the expression for availability of a closed system and explain physical
significance of each term.
Q12. Derive the expression for irreversibility using entropy balance and prove that:
I=T0Sgen
Q13. Explain exergy analysis for:
(a) Control mass system
(b) Steady state control volume
(c) Transient process
Derive governing equations.
Q14. Explain Second Law efficiency. Compare it with First Law efficiency. Discuss
applications in power plant analysis.
Q15. Derive the steady flow exergy balance equation and explain exergy destruction and
exergy loss.
Q16. 15 kg of water is heated in an insulated tank by a churning process from 300 K to 340
K. If the surrounding temperature is 300 K, find the loss in availability for the process.
Q17. One kg of air is compressed polytropically from 1 bar pressure and temperature of 300
K to a pressure of 6.8 bar and temperature of 370 K. Determine the irreversibility if the sink
temperature is 293 K. Assume R = 0.287 kJ/kg K, Cp = 1.004 kJ/kg K and Cv = 0.716 kJ/kg
K.
MODULE 3 ENR208
Q18. A reversible heat pump is used to maintain a temperature of 0°C in a refrigerator when
it rejects the heat to the surroundings at 25°C. If the heat removal rate from the refrigerator is
1440 kJ/min, determine the C.O.P. of the machine and work input required. If the required
input to run the pump is developed by a reversible engine which receives heat at 380°C and
rejects heat to atmosphere, then determine the overall C.O.P. of the system.
Q19. Refrigerant-134a is to be compressed from 0.14 MPa and –10°C to 0.8 MPa and 50°C
steadily by a compressor. Taking the environment conditions to be 20°C and 95 kPa, determine
the exergy change of the refrigerant during this process and the minimum work input that needs
to be supplied to the compressor per unit mass of the refrigerant.
Q20. Two constant-volume tanks, each filled with 30 kg of air, have temperatures of 900 K
and 300 K. A heat engine placed between the two tanks extracts heat from the high-temperature
tank, produces work, and rejects heat to the low-temperature tank. Determine the maximum
work that can be produced by the heat engine and the final temperatures of the tanks. Assume
constant specific heats at room temperature.
MODULE 3 ENR208