MASS AND ENERGY ANALYSIS

OF CONTROL VOLUMES
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• The conservation of mass principle is one of the most fundamental
principles in nature.
• For closed systems, the conservation of mass principle is implicitly
used by requiring that the mass of the system remain constant during
a process.
• For control volumes, however, mass can cross the boundaries, and so
we must keep track of the amount of mass entering and leaving the
control volume.
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• The amount of mass flowing through a cross section per
unit time is called the mass flow rate and is denoted by
𝑚.
ሶ The dot over a symbol is used to indicate time rate of
change.
• The differential mass flow rate of fluid flowing across a
small area element 𝑑𝐴𝑐 in a cross section of a pipe is
proportional to 𝑑𝐴𝑐 itself, the fluid density 𝜌, and the
component of the flow velocity normal to 𝑑𝐴𝑐 , which Normal velocity 𝑉𝑛 for a
we denote as 𝑉𝑛 , and is expressed as (see the figure) surface is the component
of velocity perpendicular
to the surface.
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• The mass flow rate through the cross-sectional area
of a pipe or duct is obtained by integration:

• In many practical applications, the density is uniform

over the pipe cross section, and we can take 𝜌 Typical velocity
profile in a duct.
outside the integral.
• Velocity, however, is never uniform over a cross
section of a pipe because of the no-slip condition at
the walls. Rather, it varies from zero at the walls to a
maximum value at or near the centerline of the pipe.
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• The average velocity 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 is defined as the average
value of 𝑉𝑛 across the entire cross section of the pipe

where 𝐴𝑐 is the area of the cross section normal to

Typical velocity
the flow direction.
profile in a duct.
• Thus for incompressible flow:
(1)
• For compressible flow, we can think of 𝜌 as the
average density over the cross section, and then Eq.
(1) can be used as a reasonable approximation.
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• The volume of the fluid flowing through a cross section
per unit time is called the volume flow rate 𝑉ሶ and is
given by

• The mass and volume flow rates are related by The volume flow rate is
the volume of fluid
flowing through a cross
section per unit time.

where 𝜐 is the specific volume.

5.1 Conservation of Mass
• The conservation of mass principle for a control volume can be
expressed as:

(2)
where Δ𝑚𝐶𝑉 = 𝑚𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 − 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 . It can also be expressed in rate form
(3)
• Equations (2) and (3) are often referred to as the mass balance and are
applicable to any control volume undergoing any kind of process.
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• Consider a control volume of arbitrary shape, as
shown in the figure.
• The mass of a differential volume 𝑑𝑉 within the
control volume is 𝑑𝑚 = 𝜌𝑑𝑉.
• The total mass within the control volume at any
instant in time 𝑡 is determined by integration to be
Differential control volume
𝑑𝑉 and differential control
surface 𝑑𝐴.
• Then the time rate of change of the amount of mass
within the control volume is expressed as
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• Now consider mass flow into or out of the control
volume through a differential area 𝑑𝐴 on the control
surface of a fixed control volume.
• Let 𝑛 be the outward unit vector of 𝑑𝐴 normal to 𝑑𝐴
and 𝑉 be the flow velocity at 𝑑𝐴 relative to a fixed
coordinate system.
• In general, the velocity may cross 𝑑𝐴 at an angle 𝜃 off Differential control volume
the normal of 𝑑𝐴, and the mass flow rate is 𝑑𝑉 and differential control
proportional to the normal component of velocity surface 𝑑𝐴.
𝑉𝑛 = 𝑉 cos 𝜃 ranging from a maximum outflow of 𝑉
for 𝜃 = 0° to a minimum of zero for u 𝜃 = 90° to a
maximum inflow of of 𝑉 for 𝜃 = 180° .
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• Making use of the concept of dot product of two vectors, the magnitude
of the normal component of velocity is

• The mass flow rate through 𝑑𝐴 is

• The net flow rate into or out of the control volume through entire control
surface is obtained by integrating 𝛿 𝑚ሶ over the entire control surface
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• Since 𝑑𝑚𝐶𝑉 Τ𝑑𝑡 + 𝑚ሶ 𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑚ሶ 𝑖𝑛 = 0, the conservation of mass relation
for a fixed control volume is
(4)

• Splitting the surface integral in Eq. (4) into two parts, one for the
outgoing flow streams (positive) and one for the incoming flow
streams (negative):

• Using the definition of mass flow rate

5.1 Conservation of Mass
• The conservation of mass principle for a general steady-flow system
with multiple inlets and outlets is expressed in rate form as

• Many engineering devices such as turbines, compressors, and pumps

involve a single stream (only one inlet and one outlet). For these
cases, we typically denote the inlet state by the subscript 1 and the
outlet state by the subscript 2, and drop the summation signs.
• For single-stream steady-flow systems
5.1 Conservation of Mass
• The conservation of mass relations can be simplified even further
when the fluid is incompressible, which is usually the case for liquids.
• Canceling the density from both sides of the general steady-flow
relation gives

• For single-stream steady-flow systems

5.2 Flow Work and Energy of a Flowing Fluid
• Control volumes involve mass flow across their
boundaries, and some work is required to push the
mass into or out of the control volume. This work is
known as the flow work, or flow energy.
• To obtain a relation for flow work, consider a fluid
element of volume 𝑉 as shown in the figure. Schematic for flow work.
• The fluid immediately upstream forces this fluid
element to enter the control volume; thus, it can
be regarded as an imaginary piston.
5.2 Flow Work and Energy of a Flowing Fluid
• If the fluid pressure is 𝑃 and the cross-sectional
area of the fluid element is 𝐴, the force applied on
the fluid element by the imaginary piston is

• To push the entire fluid element into the control

volume, this force must act through a distance 𝐿. Schematic for flow work.
• Thus, the work done in pushing the fluid element
across the boundary (i.e., the flow work) is

• The flow work per unit mass is

Total Energy of a Flowing Fluid
• Recall that the total energy of a simple compressible system consists of
three parts: internal, kinetic, and potential energies. On a unit mass
basis, it is expressed as

• The fluid entering or leaving a control volume possesses an additional

form of energy - the flow energy 𝑃𝜐. Then the total energy of a flowing
fluid on a unit-mass basis becomes

• The combination 𝑃𝜐 + 𝑢 has been previously defined as the enthalpy ℎ:

Energy Transport by Mass
• When a fluid stream with uniform properties is flowing at a mass flow
rate of 𝑚,ሶ the rate of energy flow with that stream is

• When kinetic and potential energies of a fluid stream are negligible,

as is often the case, this relation simplify to 𝐸ሶ 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝑚ℎ.
ሶ
5.3 Energy Analysis of Steady-flow Systems
• A large number of engineering devices such as turbines, compressors,
and nozzles operate for long periods of time under the same conditions
and they are classified as steady-flow devices.
• During a steady-flow process, no intensive or extensive properties
within the control volume change with time. Thus, the volume 𝑉, the
mass 𝑚, and the total energy content 𝐸 of the control volume remain
constant.
• As a result, the boundary work is zero for steady-flow systems, and the
total mass or energy entering the control volume must be equal to the
total mass or energy leaving it.
5.3 Energy Analysis of Steady-flow Systems
• The fluid properties at an inlet or exit remain constant
during a steady-flow process. The properties may be
different at different inlets and exits.
• Also, the heat and work interactions between a
steady-flow system and its surroundings do not Under steady-flow
change with time. conditions, fluid
properties at an inlet or
• Thus, the power delivered by a system and the rate of exit remain constant.
heat transfer to or from a system remain constant
during a steady-flow process.
5.3 Energy Analysis of Steady-flow Systems
• The mass balance for a general steady-flow system was given as

• The mass balance for a single-stream (one-inlet and one-outlet)

steady-flow system was given as

• During a steady-flow process, the total energy content of a control

volume remains constant (𝐸𝐶𝑉 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡). Then the rate form of
the general energy balance reduces for a steady-flow process to

⇒ 𝐸ሶ 𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸ሶ 𝑜𝑢𝑡
5.3 Energy Analysis of Steady-flow Systems
• Noting that energy can be transferred by heat, work, and mass

• When solving a problem that involves an unknown heat or work

interaction, we need to assume a direction for the heat or work
interactions. In such cases, it is common practice to assume heat to
be transferred into the system (heat input) at a rate of 𝑄,ሶ and work
produced by the system (work output) at a rate of 𝑊. ሶ
5.3 Energy Analysis of Steady-flow Systems
• The first-law or energy balance relation in that case for a general
steady-flow system becomes

• Obtaining a negative quantity for 𝑄ሶ or 𝑊ሶ means that the assumed

direction is wrong and should be reversed.
• For single-stream devices, the steady-flow energy balance equation is
(5)
5.3 Energy Analysis of Steady-flow Systems
• Dividing Eq. (5) by 𝑚ሶ gives the energy balance on a unit-mass basis:

where 𝑞 = 𝑄ሶ Τ𝑚ሶ and 𝑤 = 𝑊ሶ Τ𝑚ሶ are the heat transfer and work done
per unit mass of the working fluid, respectively.
• When the fluid experiences negligible changes in its kinetic and
potential energies (that is, ∆𝑘𝑒 ≅ 0, ∆𝑝𝑒 ≅ 0), the energy balance
equation is reduced further to
5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Nozzles and Diffusers
• Nozzles and diffusers are commonly utilized in jet
engines and rockets.
• A nozzle is a device that increases the velocity of a
fluid at the expense of pressure.
• A diffuser is a device that increases the pressure of a
fluid by slowing it down.
• The cross-sectional area of a nozzle decreases in the
flow direction for subsonic flows and increases for
supersonic flows. The reverse is true for diffusers. Nozzle and diffuser.
5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Nozzles and Diffusers
• The rate of heat transfer between the fluid flowing through a nozzle
or a diffuser and the surroundings is usually very small (𝑄ሶ ≈ 0) since
the fluid has high velocities, and thus it does not spend enough time
in the device for any significant heat transfer to take place.
• Nozzles and diffusers typically involve no work (𝑊ሶ = 0) and any
change in potential energy is negligible (∆𝑝𝑒 ≈ 0).
• But nozzles and diffusers usually involve very high velocities, and as a
fluid passes through a nozzle or diffuser, it experiences large changes
in its velocity. Therefore, the kinetic energy changes must be
accounted for in analyzing the flow through these devices (∆𝑘𝑒 ≠ 0).
Example 1
• Air at 10℃ and 80𝑘𝑃𝑎 enters the diffuser of a jet engine steadily with
a velocity of 200𝑚/𝑠. The inlet area of the diffuser is 0.4𝑚2 . The air
leaves the diffuser with a velocity that is very small compared with
the inlet velocity. Determine
a) the mass flow rate of the air
b) the temperature of the air leaving the diffuser.
Example 1 – Solution
a) To determine the mass flow rate, we need to find the specific volume
of the air first. This is determined from the ideal-gas relation:

Then

b) Since the flow is steady, the energy balance

Example 1 – Solution
Hence

Kinetic energy at the exit is neglected. Enthalpy of air at the diffuser

inlet is determined from Table A–17 to be

Substituting, we get

From Table A–17 𝑇2 = 303𝐾.

5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Turbines and Compressors
• In steam, gas or hydroelectric power plants, the device that drives the
electric generator is the turbine.
• As the fluid passes through the turbine, work is done against the
blades, which are attached to the shaft. As a result, the shaft rotates,
and the turbine produces work.
• Compressors, as well as pumps and fans, are devices used to increase
the pressure of a fluid.
• Work is supplied to these devices from an external source through a
rotating shaft. Therefore, compressors, pumps and fans involve work
inputs.
5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Turbines and Compressors
• Heat transfer from turbines is usually negligible (𝑄ሶ ≈ 0) since they are
typically well insulated. Heat transfer is also negligible for compressors
unless there is intentional cooling.
• Potential energy changes are negligible for all of these devices (∆𝑝𝑒 ≈ 0).
• The fluid velocities encountered in most turbines are very high, and the
fluid experiences a significant change in its kinetic energy.
• However, this change is usually very small relative to the change in
enthalpy, and thus it is often disregarded (∆𝑘𝑒 ≈ 0).
• Kinetic energy changes of fluids in pumps and fans are also negligible.
Example 2
• Air at 100𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 280𝐾 is compressed steadily to
600𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 400𝐾. The mass flow rate of the air is
0.02𝑘𝑔/𝑠, and a heat loss of 16𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 occurs during
the process. Assuming that changes in kinetic and
potential energies are negligible, determine the
necessary power input to the compressor.
Schematic for Example 2.
Example 2 – Solution
• Energy balance for this steady-flow system:

• The enthalpy of an ideal gas depends on temperature

only, and the enthalpies of the air at the specified Schematic for Example 2.
temperatures are determined from Table A–17:
Example 3
• The power output of an adiabatic steam turbine is
5𝑀𝑊, and the inlet and the exit conditions of the
steam are as indicated in the figure.
a) Compare the magnitudes of ∆ℎ, ∆𝑘𝑒, and ∆𝑝𝑒.
b) Determine the work done per unit mass of the
steam flowing through the turbine.
c) Calculate the mass flow rate of the steam.

Schematic for Example 3.

Example 3 – Solution
a) At the inlet, steam is in a superheated vapor state,
and its enthalpy is

At the turbine exit, we have a saturated liquid–vapor

mixture at 15𝑘𝑃𝑎 pressure. The enthalpy at this state

Then

Schematic for Example 3.

Example 3 – Solution
b) The energy balance for this steady-flow system
⇒
Dividing by the mass flow rate 𝑚ሶ and substituting, the
work done by the turbine per unit mass of the steam is

c) Required mass flow rate for a 5𝑀𝑊 power output is

Schematic for Example 3.

5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Throttling Valves
• Throttling valves are flow-restricting devices that cause a significant
pressure drop in the fluid.
• Some examples are ordinary adjustable valves, capillary tubes, and
porous plugs.
• Unlike turbines, they produce a pressure drop without involving any work.
• The pressure drop in the fluid is often accompanied by a large drop in
temperature, and for that reason throttling devices are commonly used in
refrigeration and air-conditioning applications.
• Throttling valves are usually small devices, and the flow through them
may be assumed to be adiabatic (𝑞 = 0) since there is neither sufficient
time nor large enough area for any effective heat transfer to take place.
5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Throttling Valves
• There is no work done (𝑤 = 0), and the change in potential energy, if any,
is very small (∆𝑝𝑒 ≅ 0).
• Even though exit velocity is often considerably higher than the inlet
velocity, in many cases, increase in kinetic energy is insignificant (∆𝑘𝑒 ≅ 0).
• Then the conservation of energy equation for this single-stream steady-
flow device reduces to

• For this reason, a throttling valve is sometimes called an isenthalpic device.

Example 4
• Refrigerant-134a enters the capillary tube of a refrigerator as saturated
liquid at 0.8𝑀𝑃𝑎 and is throttled to a pressure of 0.12𝑀𝑃𝑎. Determine
the quality of the refrigerant at the final state and the temperature
drop during this process.
Example 4 – Solution
• Flow through a capillary tube is a throttling process; thus, the enthalpy
of the refrigerant remains constant:

• Since ℎ𝑓 < ℎ2 < ℎ𝑔 the refrigerant exists as a saturated mixture at the

exit state. The quality at this state is

• Temperature change for this process becomes

5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Mixing Chambers
• In engineering applications, mixing two streams of
fluids is encountered frequently. The section where
the mixing process takes place is commonly referred
to as a mixing chamber.
• The mixing chamber does not have to be a distinct
“chamber.” An ordinary T-elbow in a shower, for
example, serves as the mixing chamber for the cold-
and hot-water streams (see the figure).
• The conservation of mass principle for a mixing
chamber requires that sum of incoming mass flow The T-elbow of an
rates equal mass flow rate of the outgoing mixture. ordinary shower.
5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Mixing Chambers
• Mixing chambers are usually well insulated (𝑞 ≅ 0) and usually do not
involve any kind of work (𝑤 = 0).
• The kinetic and potential energies of the fluid streams are usually
negligible (∆𝑘𝑒 ≅ 0, ∆𝑝𝑒 ≅ 0).
• Then all there is left in the energy equation is the total energies of the
incoming streams and the outgoing mixture. The conservation of
energy principle requires that these two equal each other.
• Therefore, the conservation of energy equation becomes analogous
to the conservation of mass equation for this case.
Example 5
• Consider an ordinary shower where hot water at 60℃ is mixed with
cold water at 10℃. If it is desired that a steady stream of warm water
at 40℃ be supplied, determine the ratio of the mass flow rates of the
hot to cold water. Assume the heat losses from the mixing chamber
to be negligible and the mixing to take place at a pressure of 150𝑘𝑃𝑎.
Example 5 – Solution
• Mass and energy balances for this steady-flow system
⇒
⇒
• Combining the mass and energy balances

• Dividing this equation by 𝑚ሶ 2 yields

where 𝑦 = 𝑚ሶ 1 Τ𝑚ሶ 2 is the desired mass flow rate ratio.

Example 5 – Solution
• The saturation temperature of water at 150𝑘𝑃𝑎 is 111.35℃’dir.
Therefore, water is in state of compressed liquid at all stations. Hence:
ℎ1 ≅ ℎ𝑓,60℃ = 251.18 𝑘𝐽Τ𝑘𝑔
ℎ2 ≅ ℎ𝑓,10℃ = 42.022 𝑘𝐽Τ𝑘𝑔
ℎ3 ≅ ℎ𝑓,40℃ = 167.53 𝑘𝐽Τ𝑘𝑔
• Solving for 𝑦 and substituting yields
ℎ3 − ℎ2
𝑦= = 1.50
ℎ1 − ℎ3
5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Heat Exchangers
• Heat exchangers are devices where two moving
fluid streams exchange heat without mixing.
• The simplest form of a heat exchanger is a tube-
and-shell heat exchanger, shown in the figure.
• It is composed of two concentric pipes of different
diameters. One fluid flows in the inner pipe, and
the other in the annular space between the two
pipes. Heat is transferred from the hot fluid to the
cold one through the wall separating them.
• Sometimes the inner tube makes a couple of turns A tube-and-shell heat exchanger.
inside the shell to increase the heat transfer area,
and thus the rate of heat transfer.
5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Heat Exchangers
• Under steady operation, the mass flow rate of each fluid stream
flowing through a heat exchanger remains constant.
• Heat exchangers involve no work interactions (𝑤 = 0) and negligible
kinetic and potential energy changes (Δ𝑘𝑒 ≅ 0, Δ𝑝𝑒 ≅ 0) for each
fluid stream.
• The heat transfer rate associated with heat exchangers depends on
how the control volume is selected. Heat exchangers are intended for
heat transfer between two fluids within the device, and the outer
shell is well insulated to prevent any heat loss to the surrounding.
5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Heat Exchangers
• When the entire heat exchanger is selected as the
control volume, 𝑄ሶ becomes zero, since the boundary
for this case lies just beneath the insulation and little or
no heat crosses the boundary.
• If, however, only one of the fluids is selected as the System: Entire heat
exchanger (𝑄ሶ 𝐶𝑉 = 0).
control volume, then heat will cross this boundary as it
flows from one fluid to the other and 𝑄ሶ will not be zero.
In fact, 𝑄ሶ in this case will be the rate of heat transfer
between the two fluids.

System: Fluid A (𝑄ሶ 𝐶𝑉 ≠ 0).

Example 6
• Refrigerant-134a is to be cooled by water in a
condenser. The refrigerant enters the condenser with
a mass flow rate of 6𝑘𝑔/min at 1𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 70℃ and
leaves at 35℃. The cooling water enters at 300𝑘𝑃𝑎
and 15℃ and leaves at 25℃. Neglecting any pressure
drops, determine
a) the mass flow rate of the cooling water required
b) the heat transfer rate from the refrigerant to water.

Schematic for Example 6.

Example 6 – Solution
a) Mass balance:

Energy balance:

Combining the mass and energy balances:

Water exists as a compressed liquid at both the inlet

and the exit: Schematic for Example 6.
Example 6 – Solution
Refrigerant enters the condenser as a superheated
vapor and leaves as a compressed liquid at 35℃:

Substituting, we find

Schematic for Example 6.

Example 6 – Solution
b) To determine the heat transfer from the refrigerant
to the water, we have to choose a control volume
whose boundary lies on the path of heat transfer. If we
choose the volume occupied by the water

Rearranging and substituting

Schematic for Example 6.

5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Pipe and Duct Flow
• The transport of liquids or gases in pipes and ducts is of great
importance in many engineering applications.
• Under normal operating conditions, amount of heat gained or lost by
the fluid may be very significant, particularly if the pipe or duct is long.
• Sometimes heat transfer is desirable and is the sole purpose of the
flow. Water flow through the pipes in the furnace of a power plant is
an example of this case.
• At other times, heat transfer is undesirable, and the pipes or ducts are
insulated to prevent any heat loss or gain.
5.4 Some Steady-flow Engineering Devices:
Pipe and Duct Flow
• If the control volume involves a heating section (electric wires), a fan,
or a pump (shaft), the work interactions should be considered. Of
these, fan work is usually small and often neglected in energy analysis.
• The velocities involved in pipe and duct flow are relatively low, and the
kinetic energy changes are usually insignificant. This is particularly true
when the pipe or duct diameter is constant and the heating effects are
negligible.
• The potential energy term may also be significant when the fluid
undergoes a considerable elevation change as it flows in a pipe or duct.
Example 7
• Air is heated as it flows over resistance wires. Consider
a 15𝑘𝑊 electric heating system. Air enters the heating
section at 100𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 17℃ with a volume flow rate
of 150 𝑚3 Τ𝑚𝑖𝑛. If heat is lost from the air in the duct
to the surroundings at a rate of 200𝑊, determine the
exit temperature of air.
Schematic for Example 7.
Example 7 – Solution
• At temperatures encountered in heating and air-
conditioning applications, ∆ℎ can be replaced by 𝑐𝑝 ∆𝑇
where 𝑐𝑝 = 1.005 𝑘𝐽Τ𝑘𝑔 × ℃ - the value at room
temperature - with negligible error.
• Energy balance for this steady-flow system
Schematic for Example 7.

• From the ideal-gas relation, the specific volume of air

at the inlet of the duct is
Example 7 – Solution
• From the ideal-gas relation, the specific volume of air
at the inlet of the duct is

• The mass flow rate of the air through the duct is

Schematic for Example 7.

• Substituting the known quantities, exit temperature of

the air is determined to be
5.5 Energy Analysis of Unsteady-flow Processes
• Some processes involve changes within the control volume with time.
Such processes are called unsteady-flow or transient-flow processes.
• When an unsteady-flow process is analyzed, it is important to keep
track of the mass and energy contents of the control volume as well
as the energy interactions across the boundary.
• Unlike steady-flow processes, unsteady-flow processes start and end
over some finite time period instead of continuing indefinitely.
• Therefore in this section, we deal with changes that occur over some
time interval ∆𝑡 instead of with the rate of changes.
5.5 Energy Analysis of Unsteady-flow Processes
• Another difference between steady- and unsteady-flow systems is
that steady-flow systems are fixed in space, size and shape.
• Unsteady-flow systems, however, are not. They are usually stationary,
but they may involve moving boundaries and thus boundary work.
• The mass balance for any system undergoing any process is

where ∆𝑚𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 = 𝑚𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 − 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 is the change in the mass of the

system. For control volumes, it can also be expressed as

where i = inlet, e = exit, 1 = initial state and 2 = final state of the CV.
5.5 Energy Analysis of Unsteady-flow Processes
• The general energy balance was given as

• The unsteady-flow process, in general, is difficult to analyze because

properties of the mass at inlets and exits may change during a process.
• Most unsteady-flow processes, however, can be represented well by
the uniform-flow process, which involves the following idealization:
The fluid flow at any inlet or exit is uniform and steady, and thus the
fluid properties do not change with time or position over the cross
section of an inlet or exit.
5.5 Energy Analysis of Unsteady-flow Processes
• Energy balance for a uniform-flow system can be expressed explicitly as

where 𝜃 = ℎ + 𝑘𝑒 + 𝑝𝑒 is the energy of a fluid stream at any inlet or exit

per unit mass, and 𝑒 = 𝑢 + 𝑘𝑒 + 𝑝𝑒 is the energy of the non-flowing
fluid within the control volume per unit mass.
• When the kinetic and potential energy changes associated with the
control volume and fluid streams are negligible, the energy balance
above simplifies to
where
Example 8
• A rigid, insulated tank that is initially evacuated is
connected through a valve to a supply line that carries
steam at 1𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 300℃. Now the valve is opened,
and steam is allowed to flow slowly into the tank until
the pressure reaches 1𝑀𝑃𝑎, at which point the valve is
closed. Determine the final temperature of the steam
in the tank.

Schematic for Example 8.

Example 8 – Solution
• Mass balance:

• Energy balance

• Combining the mass and energy balances gives

• The enthalpy of the steam at the inlet state is

Schematic for Example 8.

• Hence
Example 9
• An insulated 8𝑚3 rigid tank contains air at 600𝑘𝑃𝑎
and 400𝐾. A valve connected to the tank is now
opened, and air is allowed to escape until the pressure
inside drops to 200𝑘𝑃𝑎. The air temperature during
the process is maintained constant by an electric
resistance heater placed in the tank. Determine the
electrical energy supplied to air during this process.
Schematic for Example 9.
Example 9 – Solution
• Mass balance:

• Energy balance:

• Gas constant of air is 𝑅 = 0.287 𝑘𝑃𝑎 × 𝑚3 Τ𝑘𝑔 × 𝐾

(Table A-1). The initial and final masses of air in the
tank and the discharged amount are determined from Schematic for Example 9.
the ideal gas relation to be
Example 9 – Solution
• The enthalpy and internal energy of air at 400𝐾 are
determined from Table A-17:
ℎ𝑒 = 400.98 𝑘𝐽Τ𝑘𝑔
𝑢1 = 𝑢2 = 286.16 𝑘𝐽Τ𝑘𝑔
• Since 1𝑘𝑊ℎ = 3600𝑘𝐽 The electrical energy supplied
to air is determined from the energy balance to be
Schematic for Example 9.