fbpx

1st Law of Thermodynamics

The First Law of Thermodynamics simply states that energy can be neither created nor destroyed (conservation of energy). Thus power generation processes and energy sources actually involve conversion of energy from one form to another, rather than creation of energy from nothing.

The energy transfer between different systems can be expressed as:

E1 = E2 .......................... (1)

where,

E1 = Initial Energy

E2 = Final Energy

The internal energy comprises of:

  • The Kinetic Energy associated with the motions of the atoms
  • The Potential Energy stored in the chemical bonds of the molecules
  • The Gravitational Energy of the system

The first law is the starting point for the science of thermodynamics and for engineering analysis.

Based on the types of exchange that can take place we will define the following three types of systems:

  • Isolated Systems: no exchange of matter or energy
  • Closed Systems: no exchange of matter but some exchange of energy
  • Open Systems: exchange of both matter and energy

The first law makes use of the key concepts of internal energy, heat, and system work. It is used extensively in the discussion of heat engines.

Internal Energy

Internal energy is defined as the energy associated with the random, disordered motion of molecules. It is separated in scale from the macroscopic ordered energy associated with moving objects; it refers to the invisible microscopic energy on the atomic and molecular scale. For example, a room temperature glass of water sitting on a table has no apparent energy, either potential or kinetic . But on the microscopic scale it is a seething mass of high speed molecules. If the water were tossed across the room, this microscopic energy would not necessarily be changed when we superimpose an ordered large scale motion on the water as a whole.

Heat

Heat may be defined as energy in transit from a high temperature object to a lower temperature object. An object does not possess "heat"; the appropriate term for the microscopic energy in an object is internal energy. The internal energy may be increased by transferring energy to the object from a higher temperature (hotter) object - this is called heating.

Work

When work is done by a thermodynamic system, it is usually a gas that is doing the work. The work done by a gas at constant pressure is W = p dV, where W id work, p is pressure and dV is change in volume.
For non-constant pressure, the work can be visualized as the area under the pressure-volume curve which represents the process taking place.

Heat Engines

Refrigerators, Heat pumps, Carnot cycle, Otto cycle

The change in internal energy of a system is equal to the head added to the system minus the work done by the system:

dE = Q - W .......................... (2)

where,

dE = change in internal energy

Q = heat added to the system

W = work done by the system

1st Law does not provide the information of direction of processes and does not determine the final equilibrium state. Intuitively, we know that energy flows from high temperature to low temperature. Thus, the 2nd law is needed to determine the direction of processes.

Enthalpy is the "thermodynamic potential" useful in the chemical thermodynamics of reactions and non-cyclic processes. Enthalpy is defined by

H = U + PV .......................... (3)

where,

H = enthalpy

U = internal energy

P = pressure

V = volume

Enthalpy is then a precisely measurable state variable, since it is defined in terms of three other precisely definable state variables.

Entropy is used to define the unavailable energy in a system. Entropy defines the relative ability of one system to act to an other. As things moves toward a lower energy level, where one is less able to act upon the surroundings, the entropy is said to increase. Entropy is connected to the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

News/Events 

  1. Waste No Waste: Time to Embrace Biogas
  2. Is Big Gas finally learning to love biogas?
  3. We need to get behind Renewable Natural Gas
  4. Difference between a Turbo and Positive Displacement Blower
  5. The Difference between Methane and Natural Gas
  6. First Dairy Biogas Project in Connecticut
  7. Does Renewable Natural Gas Have a Future in Energy?
  8. Biogas Offtake Opportunities For Digesters
  9. Wisconsin Dairy Begins Production of Renewable Natural Gas
  10. Anaerobic Digestion Sector Forming a Clearer Picture
  11. Brightmark to Expand Western New York Dairy Biogas Project
  12. Biogas - The Energy Wonder That's Under Our Noses
  13. Power Generation Achieved by a Self-Assembled Biofuel Cell
  14. Less Carbon Dioxide from Natural Gas
  15. Project Uses Renewable Electricity for RNG Production
  16. Smithfield Hog Farm Provides Natural Gas to Missouri City
  17. From Waste to Gas
  18. Gas Clash Threatens Australian Export
  19. Maximizing Opportunities of Anaerobic Digestion from Wastewater
  20. Catalyst to Speed up Conversion of Biomass to Biofuel
  21. How It Works: Ethanol
  22. Anaerobic Digestion - the Next Big Renewable Energy Source
  23. Anaerobic Additions
  24. Three (3) Tech Solutions for Modern Landfills
  25. The Costs and Benefits of Anaerobic Digesters
  26. Bacteria Farts Power Wastewater Plant in Fort Wayne
  27. Europe’s First Poultry Manure Biogas Plant
  28. Electricity Using Pig Manure
  29. $38-Million Biodigester coming to Grand Rapids
  30. Biochar Could Benefit Anaerobic Digestion of Animal Manure

For additonal reading, please visit us at: News Worthy

Difference between a Turbo and Positive Displacement Blower