/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 45 A patent application describes a... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

A patent application describes a device that at steady state receives a heat transfer at the rate \(1 \mathrm{~kW}\) at a temperature of \(167^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and generates electricity. There are no other energy transfers. Does the claimed performance violate any principles of thermodynamics? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yes, the claimed performance violates the second law of thermodynamics as it assumes 100% conversion of heat to work, which is impossible.

Step by step solution

01

- Identify the Working Temperatures

Convert given temperature to Kelvin. Temperature in Celsius is given as 167°C. Use the formula: \[ T(K) = T(°C) + 273.15 \] So, the temperature in Kelvin is \[ 167 + 273.15 = 440.15 \text{ K} \]
02

- Determine the Heat Transfer Rate

Given the heat transfer rate is 1 kW (which is equivalent to 1000 W).
03

- Understand the Claimed Performance

The device claims to generate electricity by receiving heat at the given rate.
04

- Apply the Second Law of Thermodynamics

According to the second law of thermodynamics, no device can convert heat completely into work without any other effect. An ideal heat engine's efficiency is given by: \[ \text{Efficiency} = 1 - \frac{T_C}{T_H} \] where \( T_H \) is the high-temperature reservoir (in this case, 440.15 K) and \( T_C \) is the low-temperature reservoir (usually, the ambient temperature). Assume ambient temperature \( T_C \) is 300 K.
05

- Calculate the Maximum Efficiency

Using the temperatures: \[ \text{Efficiency} = 1 - \frac{300}{440.15} = 1 - 0.6815 = 0.3185 \text{ or } 31.85\text{\text%} \]
06

- Evaluate the Performance

The maximum theoretical efficiency is 31.85%, meaning the generated electricity can be at most 31.85% of the heat received. For a 1 kW heat transfer: \[ \text{Max Electricity Generation} = 1 \text{ kW} \times 0.3185 = 0.3185 \text{ kW} \text{ or } 318.5 \text{ W} \]
07

- Conclusion

If the patent claims converting 1 kW of heat directly into 1 kW of electricity, it violates the second law of thermodynamics because it exceeds the maximum possible efficiency.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

heat engine efficiency
Heat engine efficiency is a key concept in thermodynamics. It measures how well a heat engine converts heat into useful work. The efficiency of a heat engine is defined as the ratio of work output to heat input. The formula for the efficiency of an ideal heat engine, also known as the Carnot efficiency, is given by:
\[ \text{Efficiency} = 1 - \frac{T_C}{T_H} \]
Here, \(T_H\) represents the temperature of the high-temperature reservoir, and \(T_C\) denotes the temperature of the low-temperature reservoir.

According to the second law of thermodynamics, no heat engine can have an efficiency of 100%, meaning that some heat must always be rejected to the surroundings. In the example given, the temperatures are 440.15 K (from 167°C) and 300 K (ambient temperature).

Using the formula, we find that the maximum efficiency is approximately 31.85%. Thus, the device in the problem can theoretically convert only up to 31.85% of the input heat into electricity. This translates to a maximum electricity generation of around 318.5 W from an input of 1 kW.
thermodynamic principles
Thermodynamic principles are the laws that govern the transfer of energy and the direction of these processes. The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder body to a hotter body, and also that it is impossible to convert all the heat from a heat source into work.

For any heat engine, this law implies that its efficiency will always be less than 100%. This principle is crucial when assessing the performance of heat engines and other devices that convert energy.

In the provided exercise, the second law directly addresses the claimed performance of the device. If a patent claims that a device can convert 1 kW of heat into 1 kW of electricity without any heat rejection, it violates this law. The actual efficiency calculated (31.85%) showcases that the claimed performance is not feasible and emphasizes the importance of the second law in evaluating such systems.
heat transfer
Heat transfer is the process of thermal energy moving from one body or system to another. It occurs via conduction, convection, or radiation. In the context of thermodynamics, heat transfer plays a significant role in the performance of heat engines.

In heat engines, heat is usually transferred from a high-temperature source to a working substance, which then performs work by moving a piston or turning a turbine. The remaining heat is transferred to a low-temperature sink. The efficiency of a heat engine is determined by how well it can utilize the heat transfer processes.

In the described exercise, the device receives heat at a rate of 1 kW. This heat input is essential for generating electricity. However, laws of thermodynamics stipulate that not all heat can be used for generating work; some of it must be rejected to the surroundings. This highlights the inherent limitations due to heat transfer inefficiencies, further underscoring the impossibility of the claims made by the patent.
  • High-temperature reservoir: Where heat is absorbed.
  • Working substance: Converts heat into work.
  • Low-temperature sink: Where excess heat is rejected.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Air is compressed in an axial-flow compressor operating at steady state from \(27^{\circ} \mathrm{C}, 1\) bar to a pressure of \(2.1\) bar. The work input required is \(94.6 \mathrm{~kJ}\) per \(\mathrm{kg}\) of air flowing through the compressor. Heat transfer from the compressor occurs at the rate of \(14 \mathrm{~kJ}\) per \(\mathrm{kg}\) at a location on the compressor's surface where the temperature is \(40^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Kinetic and potential energy changes can be ignored. Determine (a) the temperature of the air at the exit, in \({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). (b) the rate at which entropy is produced within the compressor, in \(\mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{K}\) per \(\mathrm{kg}\) of air flowing.

Answer the following true or false. If false, explain why. A process that violates the second law of thermodynamics violates the first law of thermodynamics. (b) When a net amount of work is done on a closed system undergoing an internally reversible process, a net heat transfer of energy from the system also occurs. (c) One corollary of the second law of thermodynamics states that the change in entropy of a closed system must be greater than zero or equal to zero. (d) A closed system can experience an increase in entropy only when irreversibilities are present within the system during the process. (e) Entropy is produced in every internally reversible process of a closed system. (f) In an adiabatic and internally reversible process of a closed system, the entropy remains constant. (g) The energy of an isolated system must remain constant, but the entropy can only decrease.

A reversible power cycle receives energy \(Q_{1}\) and \(Q_{2}\) from hot reservoirs at temperatures \(T_{1}\) and \(T_{2}\), respectively, and discharges energy \(Q_{3}\) to a cold reservoir at temperature \(T_{3}\). (a) Obtain an expression for the thermal efficiency in terms of the ratios \(T_{1} / T_{3}, T_{2} / T_{3}, q=Q_{2} / Q_{1}\). (b) Discuss the result of part (a) in each of these limits: lim \(q \rightarrow 0, \lim q \rightarrow \infty, \lim T_{1} \rightarrow \infty\)

A patent application describes a device for chilling water. At steady state, the device receives energy by heat transfer at a location on its surface where the temperature is \(540^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\) and discharges energy by heat transfer to the surroundings at another location on its surface where the temperature is \(100^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\). A warm liquid water stream enters at \(100^{\circ} \mathrm{F}, 1 \mathrm{~atm}\) and a cool stream exits at temperature \(T\) and \(1 \mathrm{~atm}\). The device requires no power input to operate, there are no significant effects of kinetic and potential energy, and the water can be modeled as incompressible. Plot the minimum theoretical heat addition required, in Btu per \(\mathrm{lb}\) of cool water exiting the device, versus \(T\) ranging from 60 to \(100^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\).

Steam enters a turbine operating at steady state at a pressure of \(3 \mathrm{MPa}\), a temperature of \(400^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), and a velocity of \(160 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\). Saturated vapor exits at \(100^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), with a velocity of \(100 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\). Heat transfer from the turbine to its surroundings takes place at the rate of \(30 \mathrm{~kJ}\) per kg of steam at a location where the average surface temperature is \(350 \mathrm{~K}\). (a) For a control volume including only the turbine and its contents, determine the work developed, in \(\mathrm{kJ}\), and the rate at which entropy is produced, in \(\mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{K}\), each per \(\mathrm{kg}\) of steam flowing. (b) The steam turbine of part (a) is located in a factory where the ambient temperature is \(27^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Determine the rate of entropy production, in \(\mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{K}\) per \(\mathrm{kg}\) of steam flowing, for an enlarged control volume that includes the turbine and enough of its immediate surroundings so that heat transfer takes place from the control volume at the ambient temperature. Explain why the entropy production value of part (b) differs from that calculated in part (a).

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.