Final answer:
The mass flow rate of the water exiting the tank is calculated using conservation of mass, by adding the mass flow rates entering the tank, which gives us 135 lb/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mass flow rate of the water exiting the tank in a vapor power plant can be determined using the principle of mass conservation. Considering water enters at inlet 1 at 125 lb/s and at inlet 2 at 10 lb/s, and assuming no other sources or sinks within the system, the mass flow rate out of the tank must equal the total mass flow rate entering the tank.
Therefore, we need to simply add the mass flow rates entering the tank to find the mass flow rate exiting the tank:
- Mass flow rate at inlet 1: 125 lb/s
- Mass flow rate at inlet 2: 10 lb/s
Adding these together gives:
Mass flow rate exiting = 125 lb/s + 10 lb/s = 135 lb/s.
Hence, the correct answer is (a) 135 lb/s.