14-45

Adiabatic Mixing of Airstreams

14-100C This will occur when the straight line connecting the states of the two streams on the
psychrometric chart crosses the saturation line.

14-101C Yes.

14-102 Two airstreams are mixed steadily. The specific humidity, the relative humidity, the dry-bulb
temperature, and the volume flow rate of the mixture are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Steady operating conditions exist 2 Dry air and water vapor are ideal gases. 3 The kinetic
and potential energy changes are negligible. 4 The mixing section is adiabatic.
Properties Properties of each inlet stream are determined from the psychrometric chart (Fig. A-31) to be
h1 = 62.7 kJ/kg dry air h2 = 31.9 kJ/kg dry air
ω1 = 0.0119 kg H 2 O/kg dry air and ω 2 = 0.0079 kg H 2 O/kg dry air
v 1 = 0.882 m 3 /kg dry air v 2 = 0.819 m 3 /kg dry air
1
Analysis The mass flow rate of dry air in each stream is 32°C
40%
V&1 20 m 3 / min 20 m3/min
m& a1 = = = 22.7 kg/min ω3
v 1 0.882 m 3 / kg dry air P = 1 atm φ3 3
AIR
V&2 25 m 3 / min T3
m& a 2 = = = 30.5 kg/min
v 2 0.819 m 3 / kg dry air 25 m3/min
12°C
From the conservation of mass, 90%
2
& a3 = m
m & a1 + m
& a 2 = ( 22.7 + 30.5) kg / min = 53.2 kg / min
The specific humidity and the enthalpy of the mixture can be determined from Eqs. 14-24, which are
obtained by combining the conservation of mass and energy equations for the adiabatic mixing of two
streams:
& a1 ω 2 − ω 3 h2 − h3
m
= =
ma 2 ω 3 − ω 1 h3 − h1
&
22.7 0.0079 − ω 3 319
. − h3
= =
30.5 ω 3 − 0.0119 h3 − 62.7
which yields,
ω 3 = 0.0096 kg H 2O / kg dry air
h3 = 45.0 kJ / kg dry air
These two properties fix the state of the mixture. Other properties of the mixture are determined from the
psychrometric chart:
T3 = 20.6°C
φ3 = 63.4%
v 3 = 0.845 m 3 /kg dry air
Finally, the volume flow rate of the mixture is determined from
V&3 = m& a 3v 3 = (53.2 kg/min)(0.845 m 3 / kg) = 45.0 m 3 /min

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 14-46

14-103 Two airstreams are mixed steadily. The specific humidity, the relative humidity, the dry-bulb
temperature, and the volume flow rate of the mixture are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Steady operating conditions exist 2 Dry air and water vapor are ideal gases. 3 The kinetic
and potential energy changes are negligible. 4 The mixing section is adiabatic.
Analysis The properties of each inlet stream are determined to be
Pv1 = φ1Pg1 = φ1Psat @ 32°C = (0.40)(4.760 kPa) = 1.90 kPa
Pa1 = P1 − Pv1 = 90 − 1.90 = 88.10 kPa 1
32°C
RT (0.287 kPa ⋅ m / kg ⋅ K)(305 K)
3 40%
v1 = a 1 = = 0.994 m3 / kg dry air 20 m3/min
Pa1 88.10 kPa ω3
0.622 Pv1 0.622(1.90 kPa)
P = 90 kPa φ3 3
ω1 = = = 0.0134 kg H 2O/kg dry air AIR T3
P1 − Pv1 (90 − 1.90) kPa
3
25 m /min
h1 = c pT1 + ω1hg1 = (1.005 kJ/kg ⋅ °C)(32°C) + (0.0134)(2559.2 kJ/kg)
12°C
= 66.45 kJ/kg dry air 2 90%
and
Pv 2 = φ 2 Pg 2 = φ 2 Psat@12°C = (0.90)(1.403 kPa) = 1.26 kPa
Pa 2 = P2 − Pv 2 = 90 − 1.26 = 88.74 kPa
R a T2 (0.287 kPa ⋅ m 3 / kg ⋅ K)(285 K)
v2 = = = 0.922 m 3 / kg dry air
Pa 2 88.74 kPa
0.622 Pv 2 0.622(1.26 kPa)
ω2 = = = 0.00883 kg H 2 O/kg dry air
P2 − Pv 2 (90 − 1.26) kPa
h2 = c p T2 + ω 2 h g 2 = (1.005 kJ/kg ⋅ °C)(12°C) + (0.00883)(2522.9 kJ/kg) = 34.34 kJ/kg dry air
Then the mass flow rate of dry air in each stream is
V& 20 m 3 / min V&2 25 m 3 / min
m& a1 = 1 = = 20 . 12 kg/min &
m a 2 = = = 27.11 kg/min
v1 0.994 m 3 / kg dry air v 2 0.922 m3 / kg dry air
From the conservation of mass,
m& a 3 = m& a1 + m& a 2 = (20.12 + 27.11) kg/min = 47.23 kg/min
The specific humidity and the enthalpy of the mixture can be determined from Eqs. 14-24, which are
obtained by combining the conservation of mass and energy equations for the adiabatic mixing of two
streams:
m& a1 ω2 − ω3 h2 − h3 20.12 0.00883 − ω3 34.34 − h3
= = ⎯⎯→ = =
m& a 2 ω3 − ω1 h3 − h1 27.11 ω3 − 0.0134 h3 − 66.45
which yields ω3 = 0.0108 kg H 2O/kg dry air h3 = 48.02 kJ/kg dry air
These two properties fix the state of the mixture. Other properties are determined from
h3 = c pT3 + ω3hg 3 ≅ c pT3 + ω3 (2501.3 + 1.82T3 )
48.02 kJ/kg = (1.005 kJ/kg ⋅ °C)T3 + (0.0108)(2500.9 + 1.82T3 ) kJ/kg ⎯⎯→ T3 = 20.5°C
0.622 Pv 3 0.622 Pv 3
ω3 = ⎯
⎯→ 0.0108 = ⎯
⎯→ Pv3 = 1.54 kPa
P3 − Pv3 90 − Pv3
Pv 3 Pv 3 1.54 kPa
φ3 = = = = 0.639 or 63.9%
Pg 3 Psat @ T3 2.41 kPa
Finally,
Pa 3 = P3 − Pv 3 = 90 − 1.54 = 88.46 kPa
Ra T3 (0.287 kPa ⋅ m 3 / kg ⋅ K)(293.5 K)
v3 = = = 0.952 m 3 /kg dry air
Pa 3 88.46 kPa
V&3 = m& a 3v 3 = (47.23 kg/min)(0.952 m 3 / kg) = 45.0 m 3 /min

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 14-47

14-104E Two airstreams are mixed steadily. The temperature, the specific humidity, and the relative
humidity of the mixture are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Steady operating conditions exist 2 Dry air and water vapor are ideal gases. 3 The kinetic
and potential energy changes are negligible. 4 The mixing section is adiabatic.
Properties The properties of each inlet stream are determined from the psychrometric chart (Fig. A-31E) to
be
h1 = 19.9 Btu/lbm dry air
ω1 = 0.0039 lbm H 2 O/lbm dry air 1
65°F
v 1 = 13.30 ft /lbm dry air
3
30%
900 ft3/min
and ω3
h2 = 41.1 Btu/lbm dry air
P = 1 atm φ3 3
AIR T3
ω 2 = 0.0200 lbm H 2 O/lbm dry air
300 ft3/min
v 2 = 14.04 ft 3 /lbm dry air 80°C
Analysis The mass flow rate of dry air in each stream is 2 90%

V& 900 ft 3 / min

m& a1 = 1 = = 67.7 lbm/min
v 1 13.30 ft 3 / lbm dry air
V& 300 ft 3 / min
m& a 2 = 2 = = 21.4 lbm/min
v 2 14.04 ft 3 / lbm dry air
The specific humidity and the enthalpy of the mixture can be determined from Eqs. 14-24, which are
obtained by combining the conservation of mass and energy equations for the adiabatic mixing of two
streams:
m& a1 ω 2 − ω 3 h2 − h3
= =
m& a 2 ω 3 − ω 1 h3 − h1
67.7 0.0200 − ω 3 411 . − h3
= =
214. ω 3 − 0.0039 h3 − 19.9
which yields,
(a) ω 3 = 0.0078 lbm H 2O / lbm dry air
h3 = 25.0 Btu / lbm dry air
These two properties fix the state of the mixture. Other properties of the mixture are determined from the
psychrometric chart:
(b) T3 = 68.7°F
(c) φ 3 = 52.1%

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 14-48

14-105E EES Problem 14-104E is reconsidered. A general solution of the problem in which the input
variables may be supplied and parametric studies performed is to be developed and the process is to be
shown in the psychrometric chart for each set of input variables.
Analysis The problem is solved using EES, and the solution is given below.

"Input Data by Diagram Window:"

{P=14.696 [psia]
Tdb[1] =65 [F]
Rh[1] = 0.30
V_dot[1] = 900 [ft^3/min]
Tdb[2] =80 [F]
Rh[2] = 0.90
V_dot[2] = 300 [ft^3/min]}
P[1]=P
P[2]=P[1]
P[3]=P[1]

"Energy balance for the steady-flow mixing process:"

"We neglect the PE of the flow. Since we don't know the cross sectional area of the flow streams,
we also neglect theKE of the flow."
E_dot_in - E_dot_out = DELTAE_dot_sys
DELTAE_dot_sys = 0 [kW]
E_dot_in = m_dot[1]*h[1]+m_dot[2]*h[2]
E_dot_out = m_dot[3]*h[3]
"Conservation of mass of dry air during mixing:"
m_dot[1]+m_dot[2] = m_dot[3]
"Conservation of mass of water vapor during mixing:"
m_dot[1]*w[1]+m_dot[2]*w[2] = m_dot[3]*w[3]

m_dot[1]=V_dot[1]/v[1]*convert(1/min,1/s)
m_dot[2]=V_dot[2]/v[2]*convert(1/min,1/s)
h[1]=ENTHALPY(AirH2O,T=Tdb[1],P=P[1],R=Rh[1])
v[1]=VOLUME(AirH2O,T=Tdb[1],P=P[1],R=Rh[1])
w[1]=HUMRAT(AirH2O,T=Tdb[1],P=P[1],R=Rh[1])

h[2]=ENTHALPY(AirH2O,T=Tdb[2],P=P[2],R=Rh[2])
v[2]=VOLUME(AirH2O,T=Tdb[2],P=P[2],R=Rh[2])
w[2]=HUMRAT(AirH2O,T=Tdb[2],P=P[2],R=Rh[2])

Tdb[3]=TEMPERATURE(AirH2O,h=h[3],P=P[3],w=w[3])
Rh[3]=RELHUM(AirH2O,T=Tdb[3],P=P[3],w=w[3])
v[3]=VOLUME(AirH2O,T=Tdb[3],P=P[3],w=w[3])
m_dot[3]=V_dot[3]/v[3]*convert(1/min,1/s)

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 14-49

AirH2O
0.045
Pressure = 14.7 [psia]
0.040

0.035
90°F

0.030 0.8
oi
t
a 0.025 80°F
R 0.6
y
ti 0.020 2
di 70°F
m 0.015 0.4
u
H 60°F

0.010 50°F
3 0.2
40°F
0.005
1
0.000
30 44 58 72 86 100
T [°F]

SOLUTION

DELTAE_dot_sys=0 E_dot_in=37.04 [kW]

E_dot_out=37.04 [kW] h[1]=19.88 [Btu/lb_m]
h[2]=41.09 [Btu/lb_m] h[3]=24.97 [Btu/lb_m]
m_dot[1]=1.127 [kga/s] m_dot[2]=0.3561 [kga/s]
m_dot[3]=1.483 [kga/s] P=14.7 [psia]
P[1]=14.7 [psia] P[2]=14.7 [psia]
P[3]=14.7 [psia] Rh[1]=0.3
Rh[2]=0.9 Rh[3]=0.5214
Tdb[1]=65 [F] Tdb[2]=80 [F]
Tdb[3]=68.68 [F] v[1]=13.31 [ft^3/lb_ma]
v[2]=14.04 [ft^3/lb_ma] v[3]=13.49 [ft^3/lb_ma]
V_dot[1]=900 [ft^3/min] V_dot[2]=300 [ft^3/min]
V_dot[3]=1200 [ft^3/min] w[1]=0.003907 [lb_mv/lb_ma]
w[2]=0.01995 [lb_mv/lb_ma] w[3]=0.007759 [lb_mv/lb_ma]

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 14-50

14-106 A stream of warm air is mixed with a stream of saturated cool air. The temperature, the specific
humidity, and the relative humidity of the mixture are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Steady operating conditions exist 2 Dry air and water vapor are ideal gases. 3 The kinetic
and potential energy changes are negligible. 4 The mixing section is adiabatic.
Properties The properties of each inlet stream are determined from the psychrometric chart (Fig. A-31) to
be
h1 = 110.2 kJ/kg dry air
ω1 = 0.0272 kg H 2 O/kg dry air
and
1
h2 = 50.9 kJ/kg dry air 40°C
8 kg/s
ω 2 = 0.0129 kg H 2 O/kg dry air Twb1 = 32°C
ω3
Analysis The specific humidity and the enthalpy of the P = 1 atm φ3 3
mixture can be determined from Eqs. 14-24, which are AIR T3
obtained by combining the conservation of mass and
energy equations for the adiabatic mixing of two streams: 6 kg/s
m& a1 ω 2 − ω 3 h2 − h3 18°C
= = 100%
m& a 2 ω 3 − ω1 h3 − h1 2

8.0 0.0129 − ω 3 50.9 − h3

= =
6.0 ω 3 − 0.0272 h3 − 110.2
which yields,
(b) ω 3 = 0.0211 kg H 2O / kg dry air
h3 = 84.8 kJ / kg dry air
These two properties fix the state of the mixture. Other properties of the mixture are determined from the
psychrometric chart:
(a) T3 = 30.7° C
(c) φ 3 = 75.1%

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 14-51

14-107 EES Problem 14-106 is reconsidered. The effect of the mass flow rate of saturated cool air stream
on the mixture temperature, specific humidity, and relative humidity is to be investigated.
Analysis The problem is solved using EES, and the solution is given below.

P=101.325 [kPa]
Tdb[1] =40 [C]
Twb[1] =32 [C]
m_dot[1] = 8 [kg/s]
Tdb[2] =18 [C]
Rh[2] = 1.0
m_dot[2] = 6 [kg/s]
P[1]=P
P[2]=P[1]
P[3]=P[1]

"Energy balance for the steady-flow mixing process:"

"We neglect the PE of the flow. Since we don't know the cross sectional area of the flow streams, we also
neglect theKE of the flow."
E_dot_in - E_dot_out = DELTAE_dot_sys
DELTAE_dot_sys = 0 [kW]
E_dot_in = m_dot[1]*h[1]+m_dot[2]*h[2]
E_dot_out = m_dot[3]*h[3]
"Conservation of mass of dry air during mixing:"
m_dot[1]+m_dot[2] = m_dot[3]
"Conservation of mass of water vapor during mixing:"
m_dot[1]*w[1]+m_dot[2]*w[2] = m_dot[3]*w[3]

m_dot[1]=V_dot[1]/v[1]*convert(1/min,1/s)
m_dot[2]=V_dot[2]/v[2]*convert(1/min,1/s)
h[1]=ENTHALPY(AirH2O,T=Tdb[1],P=P[1],B=Twb[1])
Rh[1]=RELHUM(AirH2O,T=Tdb[1],P=P[1],B=Twb[1])
v[1]=VOLUME(AirH2O,T=Tdb[1],P=P[1],R=Rh[1])
w[1]=HUMRAT(AirH2O,T=Tdb[1],P=P[1],R=Rh[1])
h[2]=ENTHALPY(AirH2O,T=Tdb[2],P=P[2],R=Rh[2])
v[2]=VOLUME(AirH2O,T=Tdb[2],P=P[2],R=Rh[2])
w[2]=HUMRAT(AirH2O,T=Tdb[2],P=P[2],R=Rh[2])
Tdb[3]=TEMPERATURE(AirH2O,h=h[3],P=P[3],w=w[3])
Rh[3]=RELHUM(AirH2O,T=Tdb[3],P=P[3],w=w[3])
v[3]=VOLUME(AirH2O,T=Tdb[3],P=P[3],w=w[3])
Twb[2]=WETBULB(AirH2O,T=Tdb[2],P=P[2],R=RH[2])
Twb[3]=WETBULB(AirH2O,T=Tdb[3],P=P[3],R=RH[3])
m_dot[3]=V_dot[3]/v[3]*convert(1/min,1/s)

40
m2 Tdb3 Rh3 w3
[kga/s] [C] [kgw/kga] 38
0 40 0.5743 0.02717
36
2 35.69 0.6524 0.02433
4 32.79 0.7088 0.02243 ] 34
6 30.7 0.751 0.02107 C[ 32
8 29.13 0.7834 0.02005 ]
10 27.91 0.8089 0.01926 3[ 30
12 26.93 0.8294 0.01863
b
d
14 26.13 0.8462 0.01811 T 28
16 25.45 0.8601 0.01768 26

24
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
m[2] [kga/s]

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 14-52

0.9

0.85

0.8

0.75
Rh[3]
0.7

0.65

0.6

0.55
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
m[2] [kga/s]

0.028

0.026
w [3] [kgw /kga]

0.024

0.022

0.02

0.018

0.016
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
m [2] [kga/s]

Wet Cooling Towers

14-108C The working principle of a natural draft cooling tower is based on buoyancy. The air in the tower
has a high moisture content, and thus is lighter than the outside air. This light moist air rises under the
influence of buoyancy, inducing flow through the tower.

14-109C A spray pond cools the warm water by spraying it into the open atmosphere. They require 25 to
50 times the area of a wet cooling tower for the same cooling load.

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 14-53

14-110 Water is cooled by air in a cooling tower. The volume flow rate of air and the mass flow rate of the
required makeup water are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Steady operating conditions exist and thus mass flow rate of dry air remains constant
during the entire process. 2 Dry air and water vapor are ideal gases. 3 The kinetic and potential energy
changes are negligible. 4 The cooling tower is adiabatic.
Analysis (a) The mass flow rate of dry air through the tower remains constant (m& a1 = m& a 2 = m& a ) , but the
mass flow rate of liquid water decreases by an amount equal to the amount of water that vaporizes in the
tower during the cooling process. The water lost through evaporation must be made up later in the cycle to
maintain steady operation. Applying the mass and energy balances yields
Dry Air Mass Balance:
∑ m& a ,i = ∑ m& a ,e ⎯
⎯→ m& a1 = m& a 2 = m& a
Water Mass Balance: 32°C
2
100%
∑m
& w ,i = ∑ m
& w,e ⎯
⎯→ & a1ω 1 = m
&3 + m
m & a 2ω 2
&4 + m
&3 − m
m & a (ω 2 − ω 1 ) = m
&4 = m & makeup
Energy Balance: 3
WATER
Ê0 (steady)
E& − E& = ∆E&
in out system =0
40°C
E& in = E& out 90 kg/s
∑ m& i hi = ∑ m& e he since Q& = W& = 0
System
0 = ∑ m& e he − ∑ m& i hi boundary
0 = m& a 2 h2 + m& 4 h4 − m& a1 h1 − m& 3 h3
1 AIR
0 = m& a (h2 − h1 ) + (m& 3 − m& makeup )h4 − m& 3 h3
4 1 atm
Solving for m& a ,
23°C
m& 3 (h3 − h4 ) 25°C 60%
m& a =
(h2 − h1 ) − (ω 2 − ω 1 )h4
From the psychrometric chart (Fig. A-31), Makeup

h1 = 49.9 kJ/kg dry air

ω1 = 0.0105 kg H 2 O/kg dry air
v 1 = 0.853 m 3 /kg dry air
and
h2 = 110.7 kJ/kg dry air
ω 2 = 0.0307 kg H 2 O/kg dry air
From Table A-4,
h3 ≅ h f @ 40°C = 167.53 kJ/kg H 2 O
h4 ≅ h f @ 25°C = 104.83 kJ/kg H 2 O
Substituting,
(90 kg/s)(167.53 − 104.83)kJ/kg
m& a = = 96.2 kg/s
(110.7 − 49.9) kJ/kg − (0.0307 − 0.0105)(104.83) kJ/kg
Then the volume flow rate of air into the cooling tower becomes
V& = m& v = (96.2 kg/s)(0.854 m 3 / kg ) = 82.2 m 3 /s
1 a 1
(b) The mass flow rate of the required makeup water is determined from
m& makeup = m& a (ω 2 − ω1 ) = (96.2 kg/s)(0.0307 − 0.0105) = 1.94 kg/s

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 14-54

14-111E Water is cooled by air in a cooling tower. The volume flow rate of air and the mass flow rate of
the required makeup water are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Steady operating conditions exist and thus mass flow rate of dry air remains constant
during the entire process. 2 Dry air and water vapor are ideal gases. 3 The kinetic and potential energy
changes are negligible. 4 The cooling tower is adiabatic.
Analysis (a) The mass flow rate of dry air through the tower remains constant (m& a1 = m& a 2 = m& a ) , but the
mass flow rate of liquid water decreases by an amount equal to the amount of water that vaporizes in the
tower during the cooling process. The water lost through evaporation must be made up later in the cycle to
maintain steady operation. Applying the mass balance and the energy balance equations yields
Dry Air Mass Balance:
∑ m& a ,i = ∑ m& a ,e ⎯
⎯→ m& a1 = m& a 2 = m& a
Water Mass Balance: 95°F
2
100%
∑m
& w ,i = ∑ m
& w,e ⎯
⎯→ & a1ω 1 = m
&3 + m
m & a 2ω 2
&4 + m
&3 − m
m & a (ω 2 − ω 1 ) = m
&4 = m & makeup
Energy Balance: 3
WATER
E& − E& = ∆E&
in out system
Ê0 (steady)
=0 110°F
E& in = E& out 100 lbm/s

∑m & e he (since Q& = W& = 0)

& i hi = ∑ m
System
0= ∑m & e he − ∑ m
& i hi boundar
0=m
& a 2 h2 + m
& 4 h4 − m& a1h1 − m& 3h3 1 AIR
0=m
& a ( h2 − h1 ) + ( m
&3 − m& makeup )h4 − m
& 3h3
4 1 atm
Solving for m& a , 76°F
80°F 60%
m& 3 (h3 − h4 )
m& a =
(h2 − h1 ) − (ω 2 − ω 1 )h4
Makeup
From the psychrometric chart (Fig. A-31),
h1 = 30.9 Btu/lbm dry air
ω1 = 0.0115 lbm H 2 O/lbm dry air
v 1 = 13.76 ft 3 /lbm dry air
and
h2 = 63.2 Btu / lbm dry air
ω 2 = 0.0366 lbm H 2 O / lbm dry air
From Table A-4E,
h3 ≅ h f @ 110° F = 78.02 Btu/lbm H 2 O
h4 ≅ h f @ 80° F = 48.07 Btu/lbm H 2 O
Substituting,
(100 lbm/s)(78.02 − 48.07)Btu/lbm
m& a = = 96.3 lbm/s
(63.2 − 30.9) Btu/lbm − (0.0366 − 0.0115)(48.07) Btu/lbm
Then the volume flow rate of air into the cooling tower becomes
V& = m& v = (96.3 lbm/s)(13.76 ft 3 /lbm) = 1325 ft 3 /s
1 a 1
(b) The mass flow rate of the required makeup water is determined from
m & a (ω 2 − ω 1 ) = (96.3 lbm / s)(0.0366 − 0.0115) = 2.42 lbm / s
& makeup = m

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 14-55

14-112 Water is cooled by air in a cooling tower. The volume flow rate of air and the mass flow rate of the
required makeup water are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Steady operating conditions exist and thus mass flow rate of dry air remains constant
during the entire process. 2 Dry air and water vapor are ideal gases. 3 The kinetic and potential energy
changes are negligible. 4 The cooling tower is adiabatic.
Analysis (a) The mass flow rate of dry air through the tower remains constant (m& a1 = m& a 2 = m& a ) , but the
mass flow rate of liquid water decreases by an amount equal to the amount of water that vaporizes in the
tower during the cooling process. The water lost through evaporation must be made up later in the cycle to
maintain steady operation. Applying the mass and energy balances yields
Dry Air Mass Balance:
∑ m& a ,i = ∑ m& a ,e ⎯
⎯→ m& a1 = m& a 2 = m& a
AIR 34°C
Water Mass Balance: 2
EXIT 90%
∑ m& w,i = ∑ m& w,e → m& 3 + m& a1ω1 = m& 4 + m& a 2 ω 2
m& 3 − m& 4 = m& a (ω 2 − ω1 ) = m& makeup
WARM
Energy Balance: 3
WATER
E& − E& = ∆E&
in out system
Ê0 (steady)
=0 40°C
E& in = E& out 60 kg/s

∑m & e he (since Q& = W& = 0)

& i hi = ∑ m
0= ∑m & e he − ∑ m
& i hi
0=m
& a 2 h2 + m
& 4 h4 − m& a1h1 − m& 3h3 1 AIR
INLET
0=m
& a ( h2 − h1 ) + ( m
&3 − m& makeup )h4 − m
& 3h3 1 atm
4 Tdb = 22°C
Solving for m& a , Twb = 16°C
m& 3 (h3 − h4 ) COOL 26°C
m& a =
(h2 − h1 ) − (ω 2 − ω 1 )h4 WATER
Makeup water
From the psychrometric chart (Fig. A-31),
h1 = 44.7 kJ/kg dry air
ω1 = 0.0089 kg H 2 O/kg dry air
v 1 = 0.849 m 3 /kg dry air
and
h2 = 1135
. kJ / kg dry air
ω 2 = 0.0309 kg H 2 O / kg dry air
From Table A-4,
h3 ≅ h f @ 40°C = 167.53 kJ/kg H 2 O
h4 ≅ h f @ 26°C = 109.01 kJ/kg H 2 O
Substituting,
(60 kg/s)(167.53 − 109.01)kJ/kg
m& a = = 52.9 kg/s
(113.5 − 44.7) kJ/kg − (0.0309 − 0.0089)(109.01) kJ/kg
Then the volume flow rate of air into the cooling tower becomes
V& = m& v = (52.9 kg/s)(0.849 m 3 / kg ) = 44.9 m 3 /s
1 a 1
(b) The mass flow rate of the required makeup water is determined from
m & a (ω 2 − ω 1 ) = (52.9 kg / s)(0.0309 − 0.0089) = 1.16 kg / s
& makeup = m

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL. © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Limited distribution permitted only to teachers and
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 14-56

14-113 Water is cooled by air in a cooling tower. The volume flow rate of air and the mass flow rate of the
required makeup water are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Steady operating conditions exist and thus mass flow rate of dry air remains constant
during the entire process. 2 Dry air and water vapor are ideal gases. 3 The kinetic and potential energy
changes are negligible. 4 The cooling tower is adiabatic.
Analysis (a) The mass flow rate of dry air through the tower remains constant (m& a1 = m& a 2 = m& a ) , but the
mass flow rate of liquid water decreases by an amount equal to the amount of water that vaporizes in the
tower during the cooling process. The water lost through evaporation must be made up later in the cycle to
maintain steady operation. Applying the mass and energy balances yields
Dry Air Mass Balance:
35°C
∑ m& a ,i = ∑ m& a ,e ⎯
⎯→ m& a1 = m& a 2 = m& a 2
100%
Water Mass Balance:
⎯→ m& 3 + m& a1ω1 = m& 4 + m& a 2ω2
∑ m& w,i = ∑ m& w,e ⎯
m& 3 − m& 4 = m& a (ω2 − ω1 ) = m& makeup 3
WATER
Energy Balance:
Ê0 (steady) 40°C
E& − E& = ∆E&
in out system = 0 ⎯⎯→ E& in = E& out
25 kg/s
∑ m& i hi = ∑ m& e he (since Q& = W& = 0)
0 = ∑ m& e he − ∑ m& i hi System
boundary
0 = m& a 2 h2 + m& 4 h4 − m& a1h1 − m& 3h3
0 = m& a (h2 − h1 ) + (m& 3 − m& makeup )h4 − m& 3h3 1 AIR

m& 3 (h3 − h4 ) 4
m& a = 96 kPa
(h2 − h1 ) − (ω 2 − ω 1 )h4 20°C
The properties of air at the inlet and the exit are 30°C 70%
Pv1 = φ1Pg1 = φ1Psat @ 20°C = (0.70)(2.3392 kPa) = 1.637 kPa
Makeup
Pa1 = P1 − Pv1 = 96 − 1.637 = 94.363 kPa
RaT1 (0.287 kPa ⋅ m3 / kg ⋅ K)(293 K)
v1 = = = 0.891 m 3 / kg dry air
Pa1 94.363 kPa
0.622 Pv1 0.622(1.637 kPa)
ω1 = = = 0.0108 kg H 2O/kg dry air
P1 − Pv1 (96 − 1.637) kPa
h1 = c pT1 + ω1hg1 = (1.005 kJ/kg ⋅ °C)(20°C) + (0.0108)(2537.4 kJ/kg) = 47.5 kJ/kg dry air
and Pv 2 = φ2 Pg 2 = φ2 Psat @ 35°C = (1.00)(5.6291 kPa) = 5.6291 kPa
0.622 Pv 2 0.622(5.6291 kPa)
ω2 = = = 0.0387 kg H 2O/kg dry air
P2 − Pv 2 (96 − 5.6291) kPa
h2 = c pT2 + ω2 hg 2 = (1.005 kJ/kg ⋅ °C)(35°C) + (0.0387)(2564.6 kJ/kg) = 134.4 kJ/kg dry air
From Table A-4,
h3 ≅ h f @ 40°C = 167.53 kJ/kg H 2 O
h4 ≅ h f @ 30°C = 125.74 kJ/kg H 2 O
(25 kg/s)(167.53 − 125.74)kJ/kg
Substituting, m& a = = 12.53 kg/s
(134.4 − 47.5) kJ/kg − (0.0387 − 0.0108)(125.74) kJ/kg
Then the volume flow rate of air into the cooling tower becomes
V&1 = m& av 1 = (12.53 kg/s)(0.891 m 3 / kg) = 11.2 m 3 /s
(b) The mass flow rate of the required makeup water is determined from
m& makeup = m& a (ω 2 − ω1 ) = (12.53 kg/s)(0.0387 − 0.0108) = 0.35 kg/s

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL. © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Limited distribution permitted only to teachers and
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 14-57

14-114 A natural-draft cooling tower is used to remove waste heat from the cooling water flowing through
the condenser of a steam power plant. The mass flow rate of the cooling water, the volume flow rate of air
into the cooling tower, and the mass flow rate of the required makeup water are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 All processes are steady-flow and the mass flow rate of dry air remains constant during the
entire process (m& a1 = m& a 2 = m& a ) . 2 Dry air and water vapor are ideal gases. 3 The kinetic and potential
energy changes are negligible.
Analysis The inlet and exit states of the moist air for the tower are completely specified. The properties
may be determined from the psychrometric chart (Fig. A-31) or using EES psychrometric functions to be
(we used EES)
h1 = 50.74 kJ/kg dry air
ω1 = 0.01085 kg H 2 O/kg dry air
v 1 = 0.8536 m 3 /kg dry air
T2 = 37°C T1 = 23°C
h2 = 142.83 kJ/kg dry air φ 2 =100% AIR Twb1 = 18°C
ω 2 = 0.04112 kg H 2 O/kg dry air
The enthalpies of cooling water at the inlet and 2 1
exit of the condenser are (Table A-4) Makeup
hw3 = h f@ 40°C = 167.53 kJ/kg water

hw 4 = h f@ 26°C = 109.01 kJ/kg

The steam properties for the condenser are (Steam tables)
Ps1 = 200 kPa ⎫
⎬h s1 = 504.71 kJ/kg
x s1 = 0 ⎭
Ps 2 = 10 kPa ⎫
⎬hs 2 = 2524.3 kJ/kg
s s 2 = 7.962 kJ/kg.K ⎭
Ps 3 = 10 kPa ⎫
⎬h s 3 = 191.81 kJ/kg
x s1 = 0 ⎭
The mass flow rate of dry air is given by
V& V&1
m& a = 1 =
v 1 0.8536 m 3 /kg
The mass flow rates of vapor at the inlet and exit of the cooling tower are
V&1
m& v1 = ω1m& a = (0.01085) = 0.01271V&1
0.8536
V&1
m& v 2 = ω 2 m& a = (0.04112) = 0.04817V&1
0.8536
Mass and energy balances on the cooling tower give
m& v1 + m& cw3 = m& v 2 + m& cw4
m& a h1 + m& cw3 hw3 = m& a h2 + m& cw4 h w4
The mass flow rate of the makeup water is determined from
m& makeup = m& v 2 − m& v1 = m& cw3 − m& cw4
An energy balance on the condenser gives
0.18m& s h s1 + 0.82m& s hs 2 + m& cw4 h w4 + m& makeup hw 4 = m& s h s 3 + m& cw3 h w3
Solving all the above equations simultaneously with known and determined values using EES, we obtain
m& cw3 = 1413 kg/s
V& = 47,700 m 3 /min
1
m& makeup = 28.19 kg/s

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL. © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Limited distribution permitted only to teachers and
educators for course preparation. If you are a student using this Manual, you are using it without permission.