Thermodynamics

The following sections are included:

• Dedication
• Preface
• Contents

The following sections are included:

• Basic Concepts
• Definitions
  • System
  • Property, state, and process
  • Equation of state
  • State and path functions
  • Equilibrium
• The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
  • Measurement of temperature
  • Constant temperature (isothermal) process
• Heat
  • Heat capacity
  • Adiabatic process

Calculation of work is extremely important in the study of thermodynamics since it deals with the relationship and conversions between heat and work. The equation to be used for the determination of work is dependent on the type of process, i.e., whether it is “reversible” or “irreversible”. The concept of reversibility plays a vital role in the solution of thermodynamics problems. The purpose of this chapter is to explain what is meant by reversible and irreversible processes and to show how to calculate work interaction of a system during these processes with various examples.

A pure substance is one that has a fixed chemical composition throughout. It may exist in more than one phase, but the chemical composition of all phases must be the same, i.e., ice and liquid water mixture; liquid water and steam mixture. For a pure substance, the relations among pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) are expressed in the form of equations (known as equation of state), diagrams (T-V , P-V , and P-T), and property tables. The purpose of this chapter is to explain how to use PVT diagrams and property tables to identify the state of a system. Specification of the initial and final states is a prerequisite in the calculation of heat and work interactions of a system undergoing a process.

According to the first law of thermodynamics, energy is converted from one form to another and transferred from one system to another but its total is conserved. The purpose of this chapter is first to show how to formulate this statement mathematically for different types of systems, and then apply these equations to solve energy related engineering problems.

The first law of thermodynamics provides the means for energy bookkeeping. Conservation of energy, however, cannot predict the preferred direction of processes. For example, is it possible for a solid block to slide up an inclined plane with a rough surface and become cooler? At this point, the second law of thermodynamics comes into the picture by defining a new thermodynamic property called entropy such that the entropy of the universe can only increase. The second law of thermodynamics predicts whether the given process is feasible or not. Instead of competing with each other, the first and second laws of thermodynamics complement each other. The purpose of this chapter is to show how to use the concept of entropy in energy related engineering problems.

Thermodynamic cycles are broadly classified as power and refrigeration cycles. A power cycle (or heat engine) generates work using an energy source at a high temperature while a refrigeration cycle (or heat pump) provides cooling from a work input…

The following sections are included:

• Appendix A: Steam Tables
• Appendix B: Thermodynamic Properties of Refrigerant-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrauoroethane)
• Appendix C: Constants and Conversion Factors

The following sections are included:

• Notation
• Index