UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SARAWAK

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

EEM3971
ENGINEERING LABORATORY 3
LABORATORY REPORT

LAB CODE

TF7

LAB NAME

EXPANSION

PROCESSES

OF

PERFECT GAS
TEAM NO

NAME

TAN SIA HOW

ID NO

BME 15070003

DATE OF EXPERIMENT

20/10/2016

DATE OF SUBMISSION

27/10/2016

LECTURER/INSTRUCTO

DR. SUFIAN FARID SHAKER

CONTENT
EXERCISE A: DETERMINATION OF HEAT CAPACITY RATIO...............................
OBJECTIVE........................................................................................................2

METHOD.............................................................................................................2
THEORY..............................................................................................................2
APPARATUS.......................................................................................................5
PROCEDURE......................................................................................................6
RESULT AND CALCULATION.........................................................................6
CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION..................................................................8
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................8
EXERCISE B: DETERMINATION OF RATIO OF VOLUMES USING AN
ISOTHERMAL PROCESS...............................................................................................
OBJECTIVE........................................................................................................9
METHOD.............................................................................................................9
THEORY..............................................................................................................9
APPARATUS.....................................................................................................11
PROCEDURE....................................................................................................12
RESULT AND CALCULATION.......................................................................12
CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION................................................................14
REFERENCES...................................................................................................14

EXERCISE A: DETERMINATION OF HEAT CAPACITY RATIO

OBJECTIVE
This experiment is a modern version of the original experiment attributed to the
names Clement and Desormes (or alternatively to Shoemaker).
The heat capacity ratio

=C p / C v

can be determined for air near standard

temperature and pressure. The demonstration gives students experience with

properties of an ideal gas, adiabatic processes and the first law. It also illustrates
how P-V-T data are used to measure other thermodynamic properties.

METHOD
The experiment involves a two-step process. In the first step a pressurised vessel
is depressurised briefly by opening then closing a large bore valve very quickly.
The gas inside the vessel expands from Ps to Pi - a process that can be assumed to
be adiabatic and reversible. ( P / T

( 1) /

=constant ).

The volume of gas inside the vessel is then allowed to return to thermal
equilibrium, attaining a final pressure Pf. The second step is therefore a constant
volume process (P/T is constant).

THEORY
Air is a mixture of gas, but since it mixture ratios remain nearly constant in room
temperature, so gas in room temperature can be considered to be pure substance.
Perfect-gas law is suitable for any gases at high temperature and low pressures
relative to their critical point.
C p =C v + R

(1)

Where,
c p = molar heat capacity at constant pressure
cv

= molar heat capacity at constant volume

R = gas constant
For a real gas a relationship may be defined between the heat capacities, which is
dependent on the equation of state, although it is more complex than that for a
perfect gas. The heat capacity ratio may then be determined experimentally using
a two-step process:
1. An adiabatic reversible expansion from the initial pressure
intermediate pressure

Ps

to an

Pi .

{ Ps , V s , T s } { Pi ,Vol 1i , T i }
2. A return of the temperature to its original value

Ts

at constant volume

Vol 1i

{ Pi ,V i , T i } { Pf , Vol1i ,T s }
For reversible adiabatic expansion, there is no any heat transfer among system to
the surrounding.
dq=0

(2)

Where,
dq = net heat supplied to the system
From the First Law of Thermodynamic, the energy can neither be create nor
destroy, but it can be transformed from one form to another. So, the internal
energy is constant in an isolated system.
dU =dq+ dW

(3)

Where
dU = internal energy of the system
dW = work done on the system
Substitute eq2 become,
dU =dW

(4)

dU =p dV

(5)

For the expansion process,

dW =F dx

dW = pA dx
dW = p dV

Where,
3

p = pressure
dV = small change in volume
The negative sign indicate there is work done by the system.
At constant volume the heat capacity relates the change in temperature to the
change in internal energy
dU =C v dT

(6)

C v dT = p dV

(7)

Equate the eq5 and eq6 give

Substituting in the ideal gas law ( PV =RT ) and then integrating gives Now,
for an ideal gas therefore
C v ln

Tf
Vol1 f
=R ln
Ti
Vol1i

( )

( )

(8)

Now, for an ideal gas

T i Pi Vol1i
=
T s Ps Vol1s

(9)

Therefore

( ( ) ( ))

C v ln

Pi
Vi
Vol 1i
+ ln
=R ln
Ps
Vol1s
Vol1s

(10)

Rearranging and substituting in from eq,

ln

Pi C p Vol 1i
=
ln
Ps Cv
Vol 1s

(11)

During the return of the temperature to the starting value,

Vol1i Ps
=
Vol 1s P f

(12)

Thus
ln

P s C p Vol 1i
= ln
Pi C v Vol 1 s

Rearranging gives the relationship in its required form:

(13)

C p ln P sln Pi
=
C v ln P sln P f
The theoretical value of heat capacity ratio of air at room temperature and 1
atmospheric pressure is given 1.4.

(14)

APPARATUS

Pressure, Volume & Temperature Indicator(P-V-T

Compressive
indicator)
Air
Large
Pump
Pressurized
SmallChamber
Pressurized

PROCEDURE
1. Valves V1 and V3 on top of the vessels are opened to ensure both rigid
vessels are at atmospheric pressure.
2. All other valves are closed before commencing the exercise.
3. The atmospheric pressure are assumed to be 101kPa as we do not have
barometer.
4. The ball valves V1 and V3 are closed and valve V4 is opened.
5. Air pump is switched on to pressurise the large vessel.
6. The air pump was switch off When P reaches approximately 15kPa and
valve V4 is closed.
7. The value of P as Ps is recorded when the pressure in the large
vessel has stabilised. The pressure in the vessel will fall slightly because
the temperature inside will cools to room temperature.
8. Valve V1 was opened and closed very rapidly with a snap action and a
small amount of air is allowed to escape from the vessel.
9. The value of P as Pi is recorded at the instant the pressure drop to
the lowest value.
10. The value of P

Pf

as

is recorded when the pressure in the large

vessel has stabilised. The pressure in the vessel will raise slightly because
the temperature inside will heats to room temperature.
11. Step 1 to step 10 was repeated using 20kPa and 30kPa as initial
temperature.

RESULT AND CALCULATION

Expected pressure( kPa
Atmospheric pressure (absolute),

P1 s ( kPa

Starting pressure (measured),

Starting pressure (absolute),
Intermediate

pressure

Patm ( kPa

P1 ab s s ( kPa

(measured)

15

20

30

101

101

101

15.53

19.94

30.35

116.53

120.94

131.35

7.61

4.31

7.45

P1i (

kPa

Pabs1i (

Intermediate pressure (absolute) ,

kPa

108.61

105.31

108.45

Final pressure (measured),

P1 f ( kPa

9.69

8.3

13.09

Final pressure (absolute),

Pabs1 f ( kPa

110.69

109.3

114.09

Heat capacity ratio for 15 kPa

7

C p ln Psln P i
=
C v ln Ps ln Pf

ln 116.53ln 108.61
ln 116.53ln 110.69

=1.36896

Percent error for 15 kPa

|theoryexperiment
|100
theory

%error=

|1.41.36896
|100
1.4

%error=

%error=2.22

Heat capacity ratio for 20 kPa

=

C p ln Psln P i
=
C v ln Ps ln Pf

ln 120.94ln 105.31
ln 120.94ln 109.3

=1.36748

Percent error for 20 kPa

|theoryexperiment
|100
theory

%error=

|1.41.36748
|100
1.4

%error=

%error=2.32

Heat capacity ratio for 30 kPa

=

C p ln Psln P i
=
C v ln Ps ln Pf

ln 131.35ln108.45
ln131.35ln 114.09

=1.35987

Percent error for 30 kPa

|theoryexperiment
|100
theory

%error=

|1.41.35987
|100
1.4

%error=

%error=2.87

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

The initial expansion process in this experiment can be considered
adiabatic is because the pressure inside the vessel is increased very fast and
compare to the heat flow from or to the surrounding. Hence, the net heat flow can
be neglected and the system considered as undergo adiabatic process.
The overall percent error of our experiment is about 2.5% which is
consider as very close to expected value. The possible errors in our experiment
are:
1. Zero error. We observe that the initial gauge pressure reading is not
zero and it have some deviation.
2. We can only obtain an approximate value for the atmospheric pressure
because the laboratory does not have barometer equipment. So we
assume the atmospheric pressure is standard atmospheric pressure
which is 101 kPa . This value is used in the further calculation and
may cause a small error.

3. The value of intermediate pressure is very difficult to obtain as the

value is change very fast at that moment. So, we use the camera to
record the change of the value.
Throughout our observation, the temperature will change faster when the pressure
is changed faster. This is because, the rate of work done on the system at that time
is greater than the rate of heat flow from the system. The temperature and pressure
will decrease slowly when the air pump is sudden stop. This is because the heat
flow from the system to the surrounding and there is an isovolumetric process.
The temperature and pressure will increase slightly after the valve V1 is opened
and closed rapidly because the heat flow to the system and there also an
isovolumetric process.

REFERENCES
Michael J. Moran, H. N. (2011). Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics.
United States of America: Don Fowley.
Thomas G. Beckwith, N. L. (n.d.). Mechanical Measurements .

EXERCISE B: DETERMINATION OF RATIO OF VOLUMES

USING AN ISOTHERMAL PROCESS

OBJECTIVE
The ratio of volumes for two vessels can be determined by using an isothermal
expansion process.

METHOD
One vessel is initially pressurised and allowed to stabilise at ambient temperature.
Then air is allowed to leak very slowly from the pressurised vessel into another
vessel of different size via a needle valve. This process is isothermal.
10

Observation of the pressure before and after the process enables the ratio of the
volumes of the vessels to be calculated.

THEORY
The theory for this experiment makes the assumption that air behaves as a perfect
gas.
The final equilibrium pressure

Pab s f

can be determined from the ideal gas

equation of state:
Pab s f =

mRT
Vol

Where
m = the sum of the initial mass present in the two vessels, m1+m 2
Vol = the total volume of the two vessels, Vol 1+Vol 2 , and
T

= the final equilibrium temperature.

Substituting in for m and Vol gives

Pab s f =

( m1+ m2 ) RT
(Vol 1+Vol 2 )

Both vessels are at room temperature before the valve is opened. As the process is
isothermal, the initial temperature will be the same as the final temperature, (
T =T 1s =T 2s=T 1f =T 2f ). Taking the ideal gas equation of state once again
gives:
m1=

Vol 1 P 1 ab s s
RT

for the volume of the first vessel, and

11

m2=

Vol 2 P 2 ab s s
RT

for the volume of the second vessel. Substituting in to equation 2 then gives
Vol1 P 1 ab s Vol2 P 2 ab s
+
RT
(
)
RT
RT
P=
s

( Vol1+Vol 2 )

Cancelling R and T, and rearranging gives

Pf =

Vol 1 P 1 ab s s +Vol 2 P 2 ab s s
( Vol1+Vol 2 )

Dividing top and bottom by Vol2, this becomes

Vol1
P1 ab s + P 2 ab s
(
Val2 )
P=
1
+1
( Vol
Val 2 )
s

This can be rearranged to give the equation for the volume ratio of the vessels,
Vol 1 P 2 ab s s Pf
=
Val 2 P f P 1 ab s s

12

APPARATUS

Pressure, Volume & Temperature Indicator(P-V-T

Compressive
indicator)
Air
Large
Pump
Pressurized
SmallChamber
Pressurized

13

PROCEDURE
1. The atmospheric pressure are assumed to be 101kPa as we do not have
barometer.
2. The ball valves V1 and V3 and valve V5 are closed. The valve V4 is
opened.
3. The large vessel is pressurised by switching on the air pump.
4. The air pump is switched off and valve V4 is closed when P reaches
2
approximately 30 kN /m .
5. The value of

as

Ps

is recorded when the pressure in the large

vessel has stabilised. The pressure in the vessel will fall slightly because
the temperature inside will cools to room temperature.
6. Isolating valve V6 is opened and needle valve V5 is ensure fully closed.
7. Needle valve V5 is opened very slightly to allow air to leak from the large
vessel to the small vessel.
8. V5 is adjusted so that P falls slowly with no change in T1 or T2 (if the
flow of air is too fast then T1 and T2 will change and the exercise must be
repeated).
9. Valve V5 is opened slightly as the pressure P falls in the large vessel and
the pressure rises in the small vessel (-ve readings for V) to reduce the
duration of the exercise.
10. The final pressure Pf is recorded after the contents of both vessels to
stabilise in pressure and temperature.
11. Step 2 to 10 are repeated using 15kPa and 20kPa as initial pressures.

RESULT AND CALCULATION

Constant temperature for both vessels,T (

29

29

29

101

101

101

15.43

20.07

30.3

116.43

121.07

131.3

-0.04

-0.21

)
Atmospheric pressure (absolute),

Patm (

kPa )

Initial pressure for first vessel (measured),

Ps ( kPa )
Initial pressure for first vessel (absolute),
P1| s|
( kPa ) ( Patm + P S )

Initial vacuum for second vessel (measured),

V s ( kPa )
14

Initial pressure for second vessel (absolute),

P2|s|
( kPa ) ( Patm V s )

Pf

Final pressure of vessels (measured),

101

101.21

10.67

13.68

21.43

111.67

114.68

122.43

2.233

2.140

2.392

kPa ) ( V f )
Final pressure of vessels (absolute),

101.04

P1| f|
(

kPa ) ( Patm + P f )

volume ratio

The volume ratio for initial pressure approximate to 15kPa by using equation.
P 1| f|P1 ab s s
P 1| |
P2 ab s s f
Vol1
=
Val2
Vol 1 101.04111.67
=
Val 2 111.67116.43
Vol 1
=2.233
Val 2
Average volume ratio
average=

2.233+2.140+2.392
3

average=2.255

Standard deviation volume ratio:

( 2.2332.255 ) + (2.1402.255 ) + ( 2.3922.255 )

=
3
=0.104048

15

Percent error:

|actualexperiment
| 100
actual

error =

|2.462.255
|100
2.46

error =

error =8.33

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

Throughout this experiment, the average volume ratio obtain in this exercise is
2.255. This value is very close to actual value with is 2.46. The percent difference
between the experiment value and actual value is 9.07% is in the acceptable range.
The possible error of this experiment which will affect the accuracy of result are:
i.

The accuracy of atmospheric pressure. Because our lab have no

barometer, so we use the approximate value of atmospheric sphere

ii.

which is equal to the atmospheric pressure at sea level.

The flow rate of the gas from the large vessel to the small vessel. The
flow rate of air in this exercise may be too fast and the rate of change
of pressure become too fast. This may lead the rate of energy input
greater than rate of heat flow out to the system and become adiabatic
process.

If the rate of change of pressure is too fast, it is possible to effect the temperature
inside the vessel. According to Gay-Lussac's law, temperature of a fixed volume
of air is directly proportional to the pressure of the air. So, the rate of heat flow
from the system cannot counter the change of temperature by pressure increase.
So, the system is not undergo isothermal process.

16

REFERENCES
Michael J. Moran, H. N. (2011). Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics.
United States of America: Don Fowley.
Thomas G. Beckwith, N. L. (n.d.). Mechanical Measurements .

17