MCL142 Tutorial 2
Q1. The electric heating systems used in many houses consist of a simple duct with
resistance heaters. Air is heated as it flows over resistance wires. Consider a 15-kW
electric heating system. Air enters the heating section at 100 kPa and 17°C with a
volume flow rate of 150 𝑚 /min. If heat is lost from the air in the duct to the
surroundings at a rate of 200 W, determine the exit temperature of air.
Ans: 21.9°C
Q2. Air at 300 K and 100 kPa steadily flows into a hair dryer having electrical work
input of 1500 W. Because of the size of the air intake, the inlet velocity of the air is
negligible. The air temperature and velocity at the hair dryer exit are 80°C and 21
m/s, respectively. The flow process is both constant pressure and adiabatic. Assume
air has constant specific heats evaluated at 300 K. (a) Determine the air mass flow
rate into the hair dryer, in kg/s. (b) Determine the air volume flow rate at the hair
dryer exit, in m3/s. Take 𝑐 = 1.005 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 °𝐶 , R=0.287 kPa.𝑚 /kg.K
Answers: (a) 0.0280 kg/s, (b) 0.0284 m3/s
Q3. A house has an electric heating system that consists of a 300-W fan and an
electric resistance heating element placed in a duct. Air flows steadily through the
duct at a rate of 0.6 kg/s and experiences a temperature rise of 7°C. The rate of heat
loss from the air in the duct is estimated to be 300 W. Determine the power rating of
the electric resistance heating element.
Answer: 4.22 kW
Q4. Water is heated in an insulated, constant-diameter tube by a 7-kW electric
resistance heater. If the water enters the heater steadily at 20°C and leaves at 75°C,
determine the mass flow rate of water. Take the specific heat of water at room
temperature is 𝑐 = 4.18 kJ/kg·°C
Ans:0.0304 kg/s
Q5. A blower handles 1kg/s of air at 20°C and consumes a power of 15 Kw. The inlet
and outlet velocities of air are 100 m/s and 150 m/s respectively. The exit air
temperature, assume adiabatic conditions, (take 𝑐 of air = 1.005 kJ/kg-K) is -------
Ans: 28.7°C
Q6. A gas enters into a gas turbine at 40 bar, 1047°C having velocity 200 m/s. It
leaves the turbine at 1 bar with velocity 100 m/s. Turbine is insulated such that
process can be assumed adiabatic. Find the output of turbine. Given, mass flow rate
=1 kg/s, 𝑐 = 1.005 kJ/kg-K, gamma (ϒ=𝑐 /𝑐 )=1.4. Ans:918 kW
Q7. A well-insulated cylindrical tank initially contains air at 500 kPa and 300 K. Air
enters the tank through an inlet at a steady flow rate of 0.05 kg/s, with an inlet
pressure and temperature of 600 kPa and 320 K, respectively. The outlet valve of the
tank is closed, so the air inside accumulates over time. Calculate the temperature
inside the tank after 5 minutes if the tank initially has 1 m³ of air and the process can
be assumed to be adiabatic. Assuming no heat transfer and neglecting changes in
kinetic and potential energy. Ans: 100K
Q8. An insulated 0.4 m3 rigid tank contains air at 300 kPa and 40°C. A valve
connected to the tank is now opened, and air can escape until the pressure inside
drops to 150 kPa. The air temperature during this process is kept constant by an
electric resistance heater placed in the tank. Determine the electrical work done
during this process. Ans: 60 kJ