Question

Air (14.5 lb) undergoes a polytropic process in a closed system from p1 = 80 lbf/in2, υ1 = 4 ft3/lb to a final state where p2 = 20 lbf/in2, υ2 = 11 ft3/lb. determine the amount of energy transfer by work ( in btu) for the process

Answer 1

The energy transfer in terms of work has the equation:

W = mΔ(PV)

To be consistent with units, let's convert them first as follows:

P₁ = 80 lbf/in² * (1 ft/12 in)² = 5/9 lbf/ft²
P₂ = 20 lbf/in² * (1 ft/12 in)² = 5/36 lbf/ft²
V₁ = 4 ft³/lbm
V₂ = 11 ft³/lbm

W = m(P₂V₂ - P₁V₁)
W = (14.5 lbm)[(5/36 lbf/ft²)(4 ft³/lbm) - (5/9 lbf/ft²)(11 lbm/ft³)]
W = -80.556 ft·lbf

In 1 Btu, there is 779 ft·lbf. Thus, work in Btu is:
W = -80.556 ft·lbf(1 Btu/779 ft·lbf)
W = -0.1034 BTU