Question

Neon is compressed from 100 kPa and 20◦C to 500 kPa in an isothermal compressor. Determine the change in the specific volume and specific enthalpy of neon caused by this compression

Answer 1

The specific volume is reduced in 80 per cent due to isothermal compression.

Specific enthalpy remains constant.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let suppose that neon behaves ideally, the equation of state for ideal gases is:

`P\cdot V = n\cdot R_(u)\cdot T`

Where:

`P` - Pressure, measured in kilopascals.

`V` - Volume, measured in cubic meters.

`n` - Molar quantity, measured in kilomoles,

`T` - Temperature, measured in kelvins.

`R_(u)` - Ideal gas constant, measured in
`(kPa\cdot m^(3))/(kmol\cdot K)`.

On the other hand, the molar quantity (
`n`) and specific volume (
`\\u`), measured in cubic meter per kilogram, are defined as:

`n = (m)/(M)` and
`\\u = (V)/(m)`

Where:

`m` - Mass of neon, measured in kilograms.

`M` - Molar mass of neon, measured in kilograms per kilomoles.

After replacing in the equation of state, the resulting expression is therefore simplified in term of specific volume:

`P\cdot V = (m)/(M)\cdot R_(u)\cdot T`

`P\cdot \\u = (R_(u)\cdot T)/(M)`

Since the neon is compressed isothermally, the following relation is constructed herein:

`P_(1)\cdot \\u_(1) = P_(2)\cdot \\u_(2)`

Where:

`P_(1)`,
`P_(2)` - Initial and final pressure, measured in kilopascals.

`\\u_(1)`,
`\\u_(2)` - Initial and final specific volume, measured in cubic meters per kilogram.

The change in specific volume is given by the following expression:

`(\\u_(2))/(\\u_(1)) = (P_(1))/(P_(2))`

Given that
`P_(1) = 100\,kPa` and
`P_(2) = 500\,kPa`, the change in specific volume is:

`(\\u_(2))/(\\u_(1)) = (100\,kPa)/(500\,kPa)`

`(\\u_(2))/(\\u_(1)) = (1)/(5)`

The specific volume is reduced in 80 per cent due to isothermal compression.

Under the ideal gas supposition, specific enthalpy is only function of temperature, as neon experiments an isothermal process, temperature remains constant and, hence, there is no change in specific enthalpy.

Specific enthalpy remains constant.