so that the gas undergoes a throttling process (Sec. 4.10) as it expands from 1 to 2. Accord-
ingly, the exit state fixed by p
2
and T
2
has the same value for the specific enthalpy as
at the inlet, h
2
5 h
1
. By progressively lowering the outlet pressure, a finite sequence
of such exit states can be visited, as indicated on Fig. 11.3b. A curve may be drawn
through the set of data points. Such a curve is called an isenthalpic (constant enthalpy)
curve. An isenthalpic curve is the locus of all points representing equilibrium states
of the same specific enthalpy.
The slope of an isenthalpic curve at any state is the Joule–Thomson coefficient at
that state. The slope may be positive, negative, or zero in value. States where the coef-
ficient has a zero value are called inversion states. Notice that not all lines of constant
h have an inversion state. The uppermost curve of Fig. 11.3b, for example, always has
a negative slope. Throttling a gas from an initial state on this curve would result in an
increase in temperature. However, for isenthalpic curves having an inversion state, the
temperature at the exit of the apparatus may be greater than, equal to, or less than the
initial temperature, depending on the exit pressure specified. For states to the right of
an inversion state, the value of the Joule–Thomson coefficient is negative. For these
states, the temperature increases as the pressure at the exit of the apparatus decreases.
At states to the left of an inversion state, the value of the Joule–Thomson coefficient
is positive. For these states, the temperature decreases as the pressure at the exit of the
device decreases. This can be used to advantage in systems designed to liquefy gases.
An innovation in power systems moving from con-
cept to reality promises to help keep computer networks
humming, hospital operating rooms lit, and shopping cen-
ters thriving. Called distributed generation systems, compact
power plants provide electricity for small loads or are linked for
larger applications. With distributed generation, consumers hope
to avoid unpredictable price swings and brownouts.
Distributed generation includes a broad range of technologies
that provide relatively small levels of power at sites close to users,
including but not limited to internal combustion engines, micro-
turbines, fuel cells, and photovoltaic systems.
Although the cost per kilowatt-hour may be higher with dis-
tributed generation, some customers are willing to pay more
to gain control over their electric supply. Computer networks
and hospitals need high reliability, since even short disrup-
tions can be disastrous. Businesses such as shopping centers
also must avoid costly service interruptions. With distributed
generation, the needed reliability is provided by modular units
that can be combined with power management and energy
storage systems to ensure quality power is available when
needed.
Small Power Plants Pack Punch
inversion states
11.6 Constructing Tables of
Thermodynamic Properties
The objective of this section is to utilize the thermodynamic relations introduced thus
far to describe how tables of thermodynamic properties can be constructed. The
characteristics of the tables under consideration are embodied in the tables for water
and the refrigerants presented in the Appendix. The methods introduced in this sec-
tion are extended in Chap. 13 for the analysis of reactive systems, such as gas turbine
and vapor power systems involving combustion. The methods of this section also
provide the basis for computer retrieval of thermodynamic property data.
Two different approaches for constructing property tables are considered:
c The presentation of Sec. 11.6.1 employs the methods introduced in Sec. 11.4 for
assigning specific enthalpy, specific internal energy, and specific entropy to states of
pure, simple compressible substances using p–y–T data, together with a limited
amount of specific heat data. The principal mathematical operation of this approach
is integration.
11.6 Constructing Tables of Thermodynamic Properties 663
c11ThermodynamicRelations.indd Page 663 6/21/10 9:34:50 PM user-s146c11ThermodynamicRelations.indd Page 663 6/21/10 9:34:50 PM user-s146 /Users/user-s146/Desktop/Merry_X-Mas/New/Users/user-s146/Desktop/Merry_X-Mas/New