16.
Unified Thermodynamics
ZS Spring 2009
Tips on Problem Solving in Thermo-Fluids Engineering
1. Define the system:
a. Ask yourself what physically is happening in the problem you are trying to
solve. Take notes when you explain to yourself what the problem is about.
b. Make a sketch of the situation and define boundaries of the system to be
analyzed. Place the system boundaries where you know something. Note
all known / given quantities.
c. A control mass is a fixed piece of matter, a control volume is a defined
region in space through which matter and energy is transferred. Clearly
identify your choice.
2. Define the forces or flows:
a. If you are doing a momentum analysis, indicate the significant forces on
the sketch and define their sign convention by an arrow. Once you define
the sign convention you must stick to it throughout your analysis.
b. If you are doing an energy analysis show all the significant energy flows
on the sketch (as heat, as work and energy transported by the flow) and
define their sign convention by an arrow. Once you define the sign
convention you must again stick to it throughout your analysis.
3. State your assumptions:
a. List the simplifying assumptions (e.g. steady-state, 1-D flow, adiabatic
device, perfect gas, adiabatic reversible process etc.).
b. Your list of assumptions and your sketch define the model that you are
using.
4. Apply fundamental principles:
a. Express the pertinent basic principle [conservation of mass, conservation
of momentum, conservation of energy (1st law), 2nd law of
thermodynamics, Gibbs, etc.] as it applies to your defined system in
terms of the symbols defined on your system sketch (e.g. if you define a
control mass, use control mass form of 1st law etc.)
b. Most of missteps occur at this point: start with basic principle in
fundamental form, apply your assumptions (cross out terms if possible)
and make sure there is a one-to-one correspondence between the terms on
your sketch and the terms in your basic equation.
c. Conduct a sanity check and walk yourself through the equation you have
written. Ask yourself why each of the terms should be there or should not
be there, and whether this is consistent with your assumptions.
5. Bring in auxiliary information:
a. You may need to use the equation of state, rate equations, or other
information. It is a very good idea to count the unknowns and the
equations and to check that these numbers are the same before you do the
algebra.
b. It is extremely helpful to use thermodynamic coordinates try to draw
the processes in an appropriate diagram (T-s, h-s, p-V etc.) and again label
the states consistently with your sketch. This helps you visualize the
processes and apply the fundamental principles.
c. Ask yourself what the curves you sketched imply (e.g. if I move along this
curve, an adiabatic process, in my T-s diagram the entropy must increase
because there are internal irreversibilities). The diagrams help you identify
states that are known / unknown and clearly depict the connection and
relationships between the states and the state changes.
6. Solve the problem:
a. Solve the equations algebraically if this is easy or desirable, or
numerically if algebraic solutions are tedious or impractical.
b. Check your units. This is the best sanity check on your algebra. If an
answer has units, make sure you give them.
7. Non-dimensionalize your results:
a. If your analysis is of general utility, you may want to express your results
in non-dimensional form by defining appropriate dimensionless variables
(e.g. (p p0)/( v2), x/d etc.).
8. Discuss your results:
a. It may be useful, depending on the situation, to discuss the significance of
your result.
b. Address limitations of your solution and revisit your assumptions and
modeling simplifications.
9. Make your analysis read:
a. Number your equations, refer to them by number, and insert a few words
here and there so that the reader can follow your analysis without having
to guess what you are doing.