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Isenthalpic process

An isenthalpic process or isoenthalpic process is a process that proceeds


without any change in enthalpy, H; or specific enthalpy, h.[1]
In a steady-state, steady-flow process, significant changes in pressure and
temperature can occur to the fluid and yet the process will be isenthalpic if there is
no transfer of heat to or from the surroundings, no work done on or by the
surroundings, and no change in the kinetic energy of the fluid. [2] (If a steady-state,
steady-flow process is analysed using a control volume everything outside the
control volume is considered to be the surroundings.[3])
The throttling process is a good example of an isenthalpic process. Consider the
lifting of a relief valve or safety valve on a pressure vessel. The specific enthalpy of
the fluid inside the pressure vessel is the same as the specific enthalpy of the fluid
as it escapes from the valve.[2] With a knowledge of the specific enthalpy of the fluid,
and the pressure outside the pressure vessel, it is possible to determine the
temperature and speed of the escaping fluid.
In an isenthalpic process:

Isenthalpic processes on an ideal gas follow isotherms since

Ch5, Lesson C, Page 9 - 1st Law for Throttling Devices

The purpose of a throttling device is to reduce the pressure of a flowing fluid.


A variety of devices can be used as throttling devices.
Valves, porous plugs and capillary tubes are just a few examples.
A capillary tube is a tube with a very small diameter
Throttling devices are usually very small
As a result there isnt much area for heat transfer.
So, we assume that Qdot = 0. Keep in mind that this is not always a good
assumption.
There are definitely no mechanisms in throttling devices that permit shaft work
interactions, so W s is also zero.
Because throttling devices are small, the change in gravitational potential
energy is essentially zero.
It is very common to neglect the small changes in the kinetic energy of the
fluid.
This is an excellent assumption for liquids because they are nearly
incompressible.
It isnt as accurate for gases because they expand as the pressure
decreases. As a result, the outlet velocity and kinetic energy are greater than
at the inlet.
Still, it is usually acceptable to neglect the changes in kinetic energy unless a
very large pressure drop occurs in the throttling device.
These assumptions lead to a pretty simple form of the 1st law for throttling
device: H = 0.

In other words, throttling devices for which all of these assumptions are valid
are ISENTHALPIC. Remember the ISO prefix ? Well, isenthalpic just
sounds better than iso-enthalpic, but it means the same thing.
The enthalpy of the system remains constant in an isenthalpic process.
Great. Now lets try an example problem.

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