ECOR 2606 Fall 2012 Assignment 3

1/. (problem 8.9 from Chapra) A process involves five reactors, two input flows, and two output
flows. The diagram shows the flow paths and volume of each flow. Assume that the flows are
in litres/s. (it doesn't really matter what the units are but having units makes the problem that
much more concrete).

2
3

c5

2
1

c1

c2

1
1

5 (c = 10)

c4

11
8

c3

8 (c = 20)

Each flow and each reactor contains some concentration (imagine mg/litre, though again the
units arent important) of substance X. The 5 litre/s input flow, for example, contains 10 mg/litre
of X. Reactor 1 (and hence all of the flows leaving it) contains c1 mg/litre of X. As the system is
assumed to be in a steady state, the mass flows of X (in mg/s) into and out of each reactor must
be equal. This makes it possible to write a mass balance equation for each of the reactors.
What are concentrations c1, c2, c3, c4, and c5? Create an m-file (to be called Q1.m) that
determines and outputs the answer. Your file can be either a script or a no input/no output
function as you prefer.

2/. This question is based on the electrical circuit shown below. The boxes represent resistors
and R is a value that can be changed.

10
50V

20

35

I1

I3

15

R
30

I2

25
I4

100V
Write a no input/no output function (Q2.m) that
(i) Computes the four loop currents for R = 30 ohms and outputs the results.
(ii) Produces a plot showing the power dissipated in the R ohm resistor for R from 0 to 200 ohms.
Recall that power = I2R.
(iii) Finds the value of R that maximizes the power dissipated in the R ohm resistor and outputs
both the resistance value and the maximum power.
(iv) Finds and outputs all values of R that make the dissipated power equal 20 Watts.
Hint: You will want subfunctions. Parts (ii) through (iv) would be a snap if somebody gave you
a function that accepts R and return the power dissipated....

3/. A wall consists of 7 layers of material. The heat flow across each layer is given by Q T / R
where T is the temperature difference across the layer and R is the layer's R (insulation) value.
The heat flows entering and leaving each inter-layer boundary must be equal (e.g. the two arrows
in the diagram must represent equal heat flows). This makes it possible to write six equations.

Create an m-file (Q3.m) that finds the values of T1 through T6. Your file can be either a script or
a no input/no output function as you prefer. It should find the values twice, once using left
division and once using the technique that really is most appropriate for this problem (Gauss
Thomas). Unless you read ahead you won't be able to do the Gauss Thomas part until after your
lecture on October 18th.
Submit Q1.m, Q2.m, and Q3.m