Calculate the energy required to cool compressed air
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In this process, the air needs to have its moisture removed; after compression, it is cooled. When calculating the energy requirements, the client suggested that the cooling capacity should be determined based on the enthalpy change of the air, rather than its specific heat. I’m a bit confused – is that really the case? (The client is a doctoral professor at a renowned university.) Could someone please tell me how this calculation should be done?
It is more accurate to use enthalpy for calculations. Looking forward to it! :)
The cold and hot curves in heat transfer software do indeed use enthalpy values.
1. The calculation of enthalpy change is more accurate; using specific heat yields little error when the temperature difference is small. A relatively approximate improvement involves using the specific heat at the average temperature before and after cooling, or the average of the specific heats at the temperatures before and after cooling. 2! The latent heat of vapor condensation must not be forgotten! The amount of water vapor that condenses can be calculated based on the saturated water vapor partial pressure, as well as the inlet and outlet temperatures and pressures.