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5.1: Chapter introduction and learning objectives

  • Page ID
    88845
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    Many thermal devices, such as compressors, turbines, and heat exchangers can be modelled as open systems. A common feature of these devices is that they all have inlets and outlets, through which a working fluid transfers both mass and energy into and out of the devices. This chapter extends the concept of energy conservation to open systems with a focus on steady-state, steady flows (SSSF). Examples are given to illustrate the applications of the first law of thermodynamics in typical SSSF devices such as turbines, compressors, heat exchangers, expansion valves, and mixing chambers.

    Learning Objectives

    After completing the chapter, you should be able to

    • Determine the enthalpy of real substances by using thermodynamic tables
    • Calculate the enthalpy of ideal gases, solids, and liquids by using constant-pressure specific heat
    • Calculate mass flow rate and volume flow rate
    • Explain the differences between steady and transient flows
    • Explain the physical meanings of mass and energy conservation
    • Apply the conservation equations of mass and energy to steady-state, steady flow devices

    This page titled 5.1: Chapter introduction and learning objectives is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Claire Yu Yan (BC Campus) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.