Course Materials

in
Thermodynamics 1
Lesson 3
Thermodynamic System

Prepared
By
DR. A. R. ENRIQUEZ JR
 LESSON IV. THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEM AND THE FIRST LAW OF
THERMODYNAMICS

Objectives:

1. Analyze the conservation of mass and energy and determine the conditions necessary for
steady-state and steady-flow conditions.

2. Develop expressions for the first law of thermodynamics for open systems.

3. Apply first-law analysis to a variety of real-life situations.

A. Thermodynamic System:

A thermodynamic system is a macroscopic region of the universe under study, with a quantity of matter
of fixed identity. Simply speaking, thermodynamic is where the transformation of heat into other forms of
energy occurs. It is defined by boundaries, which control the transfers between the system and the
surroundings (everything which is outside the boundary). The types of transfers that can occur in a
thermodynamic process are mass and energy (work and heat).

FYI about Thermodynamic System:

1. Typical examples of thermodynamic system are engines, heat exchangers, fluid machineries and even
human body.

2. It is defined by boundaries, which control the transfers between the system and the surroundings
(everything which is outside the boundary).

3. The types of transfers that can occur in a thermodynamic system are mass transfer and energy transfer
(work and heat).

4. Classification of Thermodynamic System:

A thermodynamic system can be classified as open, closed, or isolated, according to the exchanges that
can occur with the surroundings.

4.1. Closed system: A system that allows exchanges of energy only but not of matter.

4.2. Open system: A system that allows exchanges of energy and matter.

4.3. Isolated system: A system that do not allows exchange of energy and matter.

N.B: To study, analyze and design thermodynamic system, apply the following:
1. Law of Conservation of Mass:
FYI about the Law of Conservation of Mass:
1.1. Principle: The net mass transfer to or from a control volume (thermodynamic system) during
a time interval dt is equal to the net change (increase or decrease) of the total mass within
the control volume during dt.
1.2. The law of conservation of mass states that the total mass is a constant.
2. The mathematical equivalent of the Law of Conservation of Mass is given by an expression:
𝒎̇𝒊𝒏 = 𝞓𝒎̇ + 𝒎̇𝒐𝒖𝒕
2. First law of Thermodynamics.
FYI about the First Law of Thermodynamics
1. The first law of thermodynamics is a version of the law of conservation of energy, adapted
for thermodynamic processes, distinguishing two kinds of transfer of energy, as heat and
as thermodynamic work, and relating them to a function of a body's state, called Internal energy.
2. The LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY states that the total energy of an isolated system is
constant; energy can be transformed from one form to another, but can be neither created nor destroyed.
3. The mathematical equivalent of the first law of thermodynamics is given by an expression:
𝑬𝒊𝒏 = 𝜟𝑬 + 𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕
3. First law applications to thermodynamic system:
3.1. For a thermodynamic process without transfer of matter (close system), the first law is often formulated
𝑸 = ∆𝑼 + 𝑾𝑵𝑭
where ΔU denotes the change in the internal energy of a closed system, Q denotes the quantity of energy
supplied to the system as heat, and W denotes the amount of thermodynamic work done by the system on
its surroundings.
Illustration:
 𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝟎
3.2. For an open thermodynamic system analysis, the following must always be remembered and applied:
3.2.1. Unless otherwise specified, a thermodynamic system under study is always considered as an OPEN
SYSTEM.
3.2.2. Unless otherwise specified, an open thermodynamic system under study is always considered to
operate under STEADY FLOW, STEADY STATE CONDITION.
3.2.3. For an open sytem operating under steady flow, steady state condition, the change of mass and
change of energy across the sytem are neglected (meaning, 𝞓m and 𝞓E = 0).
3.2.4. Therefore, the law of conservation of mass and first law of thermodynamics formula for an open
system under steady flow condition is reduced to the form:
𝒎̇𝒊𝒏 = 𝒎̇𝒐𝒖𝒕
𝑬𝒊𝒏 = 𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕
3.2.5. The above formulas are called MASS BALACE and ENERGY BALANCE.
N.B: In the study, analysis and design of an open system under steady flow condition, always
apply/use mass and energy balance.
3.2.6. The energies being balance are the stored and transition energies entering the system and the stored
and transition energies leaving the system.
FORMAT:
(𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦)𝑖𝑛 + (𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦)𝑖𝑛 = (𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦)𝑜𝑢𝑡 + (𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦)𝑜𝑢𝑡
(𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦)1 + (𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦)1 = (𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦)2 + (𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦)2
Where: 1 or in = system’s entrance or inlet and 2 or out = system’s exit or outlet
3.2.7. When applying energy balance, always draw an energy diagram of the thermodynamic system
under study.
N.B: For a steady flow, open thermodynamic system that recieves HEAT and produce WORK:
𝑷𝑬𝒊𝒏 + 𝑲𝑬𝒊𝒏 + 𝑼𝒊𝒏 + 𝑭𝑬𝒊𝒏 + 𝑸𝒂 = 𝑷𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕 + 𝑲𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕 + 𝑼𝒐𝒖𝒕 + 𝑭𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕 + 𝑾𝒔𝒇
𝑷𝑬𝟏 + 𝑲𝑬𝟏 + 𝑼𝟏 + 𝑭𝑬𝟏 + 𝑸𝒂 = 𝑷𝑬𝟐 + 𝑲𝑬𝟐 + 𝑼𝟐 + 𝑭𝑬𝟐 + 𝑾𝒔𝒇
FYI: The above formula is also called STEADY-FLOW ENERGY EQUATION and it is used in the
study, analysis and design of an open system under steady-flow condition.
N.B: The sum of internal energy and flow energy is called TOTAL ENTHALPY.
Let 𝑯 = 𝒔𝒚𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒑𝒚
So: 𝑯 = 𝑼 + 𝑭𝑬
FYI: The STEADY-FLOW ENERGY EQUATION in terms of ENTHALPY becomes
𝑷𝑬𝒊𝒏 + 𝑲𝑬𝒊𝒏 + 𝑯𝒊𝒏 + 𝑸𝒂 = 𝑷𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕 + 𝑲𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕 + 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒕 + 𝑾𝒔𝒇
𝑷𝑬𝟏 + 𝑲𝑬𝟏 + 𝑯𝟏 + 𝑸𝒂 = 𝑷𝑬𝟐 + 𝑲𝑬𝟐 + 𝑯𝟐 + 𝑾𝒔𝒇
N.B: Guidelines/steps when doing ENERGY BALANCE or STEADY-FLOW ENERGY
EQUATION.
1. Identifies the stored energy and transition energy entering and leaving the system.
1.1. To identify the stored energies involved, remember the following:
1.1.1. Potential energy is included when the ELEVATION or HEIGHT passed by the working fluid is
specified.
1.1.2. Kinetic energy is included when the VELOCITY of the working fluid is specified.
1.1.3. Internal energy is included when the SPECIFIC INTERNAL ENERGY of the working fluid is
specified.
FYI: Specific internal energy is internal energy per unit mass of the working fluid.
𝑩𝑻𝑼 𝒌𝑱
Let 𝒖 = 𝒔𝒚𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒍 → 𝒍𝒃𝒎 𝒌𝒈

1.1.4. Flow energy is included when the PRESSURE together with either VOLUME FLOW RATE,
MASS DENSITY OR SPECIFIC VOLUME of the working fluid are specified.
1.1.5. Enthalpy is included when the SPECIFIC ENTHALPY of the working fluid is specified.
FYI about enthalpy:
1. Specific enthalpy is the enthalpy per unit mass of the working fluid.
𝑩𝑻𝑼 𝒌𝑱
Let h= 𝒔𝒚𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒍 →
𝒍𝒃𝒎 𝒌𝒈

2. When the specific enthalpy is not specified but the working fluid temperature is given, use the formula:
𝒉 = 𝑪𝑷 (𝒕) where: 𝑪𝑷 = constant pressure specific heat of the fluid, t = arbitrary temperature
N.B: When enthalpy is given already, do not anymore include the internal and flow energy in the
energy balance.
1.2. To identify the transition energies involved, remember the following:
1.2.1. Only heat and work will be considered as the transition energies included in the system.
N.B: Heat and work may either be entering or leaving the system, so to determine the proper
direction of heat and work to be used when doing energy balance, remember the following:
A. For HEAT:
1. It is ENTERING the system when the problem says heat added or heat supplied.
2. It is ENTERING the system when the thermodynamic system under study is boiler.
3. It is LEAVING the system when the problem says heat rejected, heat loss or heat removed.
4. It is LEAVING the system when the thermodynamic system under study is condenser.
5. It is ZERO the system when the system under study is perfectly insulated or adiabatic.
B. For WORK:
1. It is ENTERING the system when the problem says work added or work supplied.
2. It is ENTERING the system when the thermodynamic system under study are power consuming
machines such as PUMPS, FANS, BLOWERS and COMPRESSORS.
3. It is LEAVING the system when the problem says work produced, work delivered or work output.
4. It is LEAVING the system when the thermodynamic system under study are power producing
machines such as TURBINES and FLUID MOTOR.
5. It is ZERO the system when the system under study are HEAT EXCHANGERS such as boiler,
condenser, evaporator, economizer, reheater, feedwater heater, oil heater/cooler, air-preheater.
3.2.8. The quantities normally solved/asked when analyzing an open thermodynamic system are any of
the following:
1. Heat transfer (heat added or rejected): It occurs when the system under study is heat exchanger.
2. Steady-flow work (supplied or done): It occurs when the system under study is power producing or
power consuming machines.
3. Fluid velocity at the inlet or outlet: It occurs when the system under study is either NOZZLE or
DIFFUSSER.
4. Pressure at the inlet or outlet: It occurs when the system under study is VALVE.
Tabulation of Machines, Devices and Equipments normally used as Thermodynamic System

Devices Function Energies being Balance

1. Steam Turbine Used for producing mechanical work Work and Enthalpy

2. Compressor, Fan, Used for adding energy and moving the Work and Enthalpy
Blower, Pump fluids to a region of higher energy level.

3. Nozzle Used for increasing the velocity of fluid. Kinetic Energy and Enthalpy

4. Diffusser Used for decreasing the velocity of fluid. Kinetic Energy and Enthalpy

5. Heat Exchangers Used for transferring heat from hot fluid Heat and Enthalpy
to cold fluid.
Illustration:

𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕
𝑬𝒊𝒏 = 𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕

Illustrative Problems:

1. A working fluid enters a device with a steady flow of 3.7kg/s and at the following conditions: 690KPa,
3.2kg/m3, 60m/s and specific internal energy of 2000kJ/kg. It leaves the device at 172KPa, 0.64kg/m3,
160m/s and a specific internal energy of 1950kJ/kg. The heat loss from the device is found to be
18.6kJ/kg. Find the work in kW. Answer = 121.1kW
Solution:
2. Steam with a flowrate of 0.3kg/s enters an adiabatic nozzle at 1379kPa, 0.143m3/kg, 30.5m/s and a
specific internal energy of 2590.77kJ/kg. It leaves the nozzle at 101.325kPa, 1.673m3/kg and specific
internal energy of 2506kJ/kg. Compute the exit velocity of steam in m/s. Answer = 475.22
Solution:
3. Steam flows steadily through an adiabatic turbine. The inlet conditions of the steam are 80m/s and
specific enthalpy of 3445.3kJ/kg 2725.3kJ/kg and the exit conditions are 50m/s and specific enthalpy of
2725.3kJ/kg. The mass flow rate of the steam is 12 kg/s. Determine the power output in kW.
Problems about Energy Concept and Law of Conservation of Energy:

1. How much heat is developed in the brake of a 2000lb car travelling with a speed of 30miles/hr. and
brought to rest in 8s? Answer = 77.28Btu
2. In a factory, the weight of a bridge crane plus its load equals 100metric tons. It is driven by a motor and
travels at 1.17m/s along the crane rails. Determine the energy that must be absorbed by the brakes in
stopping the crane in kJ.
a. 68.45 b. 69.72 c. 70.25 d. 71.36
3. Five miners must be lifted from a mineshaft 100m deep using an elevator. The work required to do this
is found to be 341.2kJ. If the gravitational acceleration is 9.75m/s2, determine the average mass per
person.
a. 65kg b. 70kg c. 75kg d. 80kg
4. A container van is being lowered into the ground when the wire rope suddenly breaks. From the size of
it, the mass is estimated to be 500kg. The distance from which the container was picked up is 3m. Find
the velocity just prior to the impact in m/s.
a. 5. 672 b. 6.672 c. 7.672 d. 8.672

5. A 1-kW electric resistance heater in a room is turned on and kept on for 50 minutes. The amount of
energy transferred to the room by the heater in kJ is equal to:
a. 1000 b. 500 c. 3600 d. 3000

Problems about Thermodynamic system:

A. Open System under Steady Flow Condition

1. A centrifugal pump delivers 3000L/min of water from 98KPa to 300KPa. The inlet and discharge piping
are on the same level, but the diameter of the inlet piping is 15cm, whereas the discharge piping is 10cm.
Determine the pump power in kW.
a. 10 b. 11 c. 12 d. 13
2. An air compressor handles 8.5m /min of air measured at inlet condition with a density of 1.26kg/m3 and
3

a pressure of 1atmosphere, and it discharges at 445KPag with a density of 4.86kg/m3. The change of
internal energy across the compressor is 82kJ/kg and the heat loss by cooling is 24kJ/kg. Neglecting the
change of kinetic and potential energies, find the power needed by the compressor in kW.
a. 20 b. 23 c. 25 d. 27

3. A fluid with a flow rate of 1.0kg/s enter a device @ 700KPa, 0.25m3/kg, and 175m/s. Heat loss from the
device by radiation is 23kJ/kg and the work done by the fluid is 465kJ/kg. The fluid leaves the device at
136KPa, 0.94m3/kg and 335m/s. Determine the change of internal energy of the fluid in kJ/kg.
a. -482 b. -484 c. -485 d. -486
4. Steam with a flow rate of 1360kg/h enters an adiabatic nozzle at 1378KPa, 3.05m/s, 0.147m 3/kg and
internal energy of 2510kJ/kg. The exit conditions are: 137.8KPa, 1.099m3/kg and internal energy of
2263kJ/kg. Calculate the exit velocity in m/s.
a. 770 b. 772 c. 774 d. 776
5. A fluid enters a device with a steady flow of 3.7kg/s and at the following conditions: 690KPa, 3.2kg/m3,
60m/s and internal energy of 2000kJ/kg. It leaves at 172KPa, 0.64kg/m3, 160m/s and internal energy of
1950kJ/kg. The heat loss is found to be 18.6kJ/kg. Find the work in kW.
a. 117 b. 119 c. 121.1 d. 125
6. A boiler produces 600kg of steam per hour from feed water whose temperature is 40oC. Assuming the
boiler to be a steady flow system and neglecting the change of potential and kinetic energies, find the rate
at with the heat is transferred in kW. The enthalpy of steam is 660kCal/kg.
 a. 432.65 b. 440.0 c. 419.33 d. 425.83
7. A steam turbine receives 1.35kg/s of steam and delivers 500kW. The heat loss from the casing is
negligible. Find the change of enthalpy of steam across the turbine in kJ/kg if:
a. The entrance and exit velocity and elevation are neglected. 370.4
b. The entrance and exit velocity are 60 and 360m/s respectively and the inlet pipe is 3m above the exhaust
pipe 433.4
8. An unknown gas with a flow rate of 0.1kg/s and having a molecular weight of 28 and constant pressure
specific heat of 1.05kJ/kg-K enters a well-insulated nozzle with an enthalpy of 1280kJ/kg and leave with
an enthalpy of 1260kJ/kg. Calculate the following:
a. The exit velocity in m/s if the approach velocity is negligible. 200
o
b. The nozzle exit diameter in mm if the gas enters at 280 C and leave at 2MPa. 7.11
9. A steam condenser receives 9.47kg/s of steam with an enthalpy of 2570kJ/kg. The steam condenses into
a liquid and leaves with an enthalpy of 160.5kJ/kg. Cooling water passes through the condenser with an
unknown flow rate; however, the water temperature increases from 13oC to 24oC. Find the cooling water
flow rate in kg/s.
a. 464 b. 473 c. 487 d. 495
10. Air and fuel enter a furnace used for home heating. The air has an enthalpy of 302kJ/kg and the fuel has
an enthalpy of 43, 027kJ/kg. The gases leaving the furnace have an enthalpy of 616kJ/kg. There are 17kg
of air per kg of fuel. If the house requires 17.6kW of heat, calculate the fuel consumption in kg per day.
a. 41 b. 43 c. 45 d. 47
11. A 12-kW pump draws water from a well 15m below the ground level and discharges it into a water
tower atop a building 100m above the ground. There is no change in the water’s internal energy,
temperature, pressure, and specific volume during the process. Considering the pump to be an adiabatic
system, calculate the amount of water delivered in gallons/min.
a. 168.62 b. 229.1 c. 228.13 d. 231.4
12. Steam flows into the turbine at the rate of 10kg/s and 10kW of heat are lost from the turbine casing. If
the specific enthalpy change across the turbine is 401kJ/kg and ignoring elevation and kinetic energy
effects, calculate the power output of the turbine.
a. 4605kW b. 4973kW c. 4375kW d. 4000kW

List of References

1. Yunus A. Cengel and John M. Cimbala: FLUID MECHANICS: FUNDAMENTALS AND

APPLICATIONS, THIRD EDITION, Published by McGraw-Hill, New York, NY 10020.
Copyright © 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
2. Michael L. Boles and Yunus A. Cengel: THERMODYNAMICS: AN ENGINEERING
APPROACH, EIGHTH EDITION, Published by McGraw-Hill Education, New York, NY 10121.
Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education.
3. Munson, Bruce R., Young, Donald F., Okiishi, Theodore H., Huebsch, Wade W. Fundamentals of
Fluid Mechanics, Sixth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 2009 by John Wiley &
Sons.
4. Virgil Moring Faires, Clifford M. Simmang, Alexander Brewer: Problems on Thermodynamics,
6th ed., McMillan Publishing Company, Inc., Copyright © 2009 by
5. Committee on Physics, composed of professors from MIT, NU, UST, TIP, FU, UP, chaired by
Pof. Magtira, Dr. del Rosario, Dr. Zara: College Physics, Part 1, Quezon City, c1962.