Polytropic Process : 11 Important Concepts

Definition Polytropic process

“A polytropic process is a thermodynamic process that obeys the relation: PVⁿ = C, where where p is the pressure, V is volume, n is the polytropic index, and C is a constant. The polytropic process equation can describe multiple expansion and compression processes which include heat transfer.”

Polytropic Equation | Polytropic equation of state

The polytropic process can be defined by the equation

$PV^n=C$

the exponent n is called polytropic index. It depends upon the material and varies from 1.0 to 1.4. This is constant specific heat procedure, in which heat absorption of gas taken into consideration because of unit rise in temperature is fixed.

Polytropic index

Some important relations between Pressure [P], Volume [V] and temperature [T] in Polytropic process for an Ideal Gas

Polytropic equation is,

$PV^n=C$

$\\\\P_1V_1^n=P_2V_2^n\\\\ \\\\\\frac{P_2}{P_1}=[\\frac{V_1}{V_2}]^n$

………………………. Relations between Pressure [P] and Volume [V]

$\\\\PV^n=C\\\\ \\\\PVV^{n-1}=C\\\\ \\\\mRTV^{n-1}=C\\\\ \\\\TV^{n-1}=C\\\\ \\\\T_1 V_1^{n-1}=T_2 V_2^{n-1}$

$\\frac{T_2}{T_1}=[\\frac{V_1}{V_2}]^{n-1}$

………………………. Relations between Volume [V] and Temperature [T]

$\\frac{T_2}{T_1}=[\\frac{P_2}{P_1}]^\\frac{n-1}{n}$

………………………. Relations between Pressure [P] and Temperature [T]

Polytropic Work

Ideal gas equation for polytropic process is given by

$\\\\W=\\int_{1}^{2}Pdv\\\\ \\\\W=\\int_{1}^{2}\\frac{C}{V^n}dv\\\\ \\\\W=C[\\frac{V^{-n+1}}{-n+1}]^2_1\\\\ \\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1V_1^{-n+1}-P_2V_2V_2^{-n+1}}{n-1}\\\\ \\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}$

Polytropic Heat transfer

According to 1^st law of thermodynamics,

dQ=dU+W

$\\\\dQ=mC_v [T_2-T_1 ]+\\frac{P_1 V_1-P_2 V_2}{n-1}\\\\ \\\\dQ=\\frac{mR}{\\gamma -1} [T_2-T_1 ]+\\frac{P_1 V_1-P_2 V_2}{n-1}\\\\ \\\\dQ=\\frac{P_1 V_1-P_2 V_2}{\\gamma-1}+\\frac{P_1 V_1-P_2 V_2}{n-1}\\\\ \\\\dQ=P_1 V_1 [\\frac{1}{n-1}-\\frac{1}{\\gamma-1}]-P_2 V_2 [\\frac{1}{n-1}-\\frac{1}{\\gamma-1}]\\\\ \\\\dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}\\frac{P_1 V_1-P_2 V_2}{n-1}\\\\ \\\\dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}W_{poly}$

Polytropic vs isentropic process

Polytropic process is a thermodynamic process which follows the equation

PVⁿ = C

This process takes into consideration the frictional losses and irreversibility factor of a process. It is a real-life actual process followed by the gas under specific conditions.

Isentropic Process also known as reversible Adiabatic process is an ideal process in which no energy transfer or heat transfer takes place across the boundaries of the system. In this process system is assumed to have an insulated boundary. Since Heat transfer is zero. dQ = 0

According to first law of thermodynamics,

$\\Delta U=-W=\\int Pdv$

Polytropic process vs adiabatic process

Polytropic process is a thermodynamic process which follows the equation

PVⁿ = C

This process takes into consideration the frictional losses and irreversibility factor of a process. It is a real-life actual process followed by the gas under specific conditions.

Adiabatic process is a special and specific condition of polytropic process in which .

Similar to Isentropic process in this process too, no energy transfer or heat transfer takes place across the boundaries of the system. In this process system is assumed to have an insulated boundary.

Polytropic efficiency

“Polytropic Efficiency well-defined as the ratio of Ideal work of compression for a differential pressure change in a multi-stage Compressor, to the Actual work of compression for a differential pressure change in a multi-stage Compressor.”

In simple terms it is an isentropic efficiency of the process for an infinitesimally small stage in a multi-stage compressor.

$\\eta_p=\\frac{\\frac{\\gamma-1}{\\gamma}ln\\frac{P_d }{P_s}}{ln\\frac{T_d }{T_s}}$

Where, γ = Adiabatic index

P_d = Delivery Pressure

P_s = Suction Pressure

T_d = Delivery Temperature

Ts = Suction temperature

Polytropic head

Polytropic Head can be defined as the Pressure Head developed by a centrifugal compressor as the gas or air is being polytropically compressed. The amount of pressure developed depends upon the density of the gas is compressed and that varies with variation in density of gas.

$H_p=53.3*z_{avg}*\\frac{T_s}{S}(\\frac{\\gamma \\eta _p}{\\gamma -1})[(\\frac{P_d}{P_s})^\\frac{\\gamma -1}{\\gamma \\eta _p}-1]$

Where,

γ= Adiabatic index

z_avg = Average compressibility factor

η = Polytropic efficiency

P_d = Delivery Pressure

P_s = Suction Pressure

S = Specific gravity of gas

T_s = Suction temperature

Polytropic process for air | Polytropic process for an ideal gas

Air is assumed to be an Ideal gas and thus the laws of ideal gas is applicable to air.

Polytropic equation is,

$PV^n=C$

$\\\\P_1V_1^n=P_2V_2^n\\\\ \\\\\\frac{P_2}{P_1}=[\\frac{V_1}{V_2}]^n$

………………………. Relations between Pressure [P] and Volume [V]

$\\\\PV^n=C\\\\ \\\\PVV^{n-1}=C\\\\ \\\\mRTV^{n-1}=C\\\\ \\\\TV^{n-1}=C\\\\ \\\\T_1 V_1^{n-1}=T_2 V_2^{n-1}$

$\\frac{T_2}{T_1}=[\\frac{V_1}{V_2}]^{n-1}$

………………………. Relations between Volume [V] and Temperature [T]

$\\frac{T_2}{T_1}=[\\frac{P_2}{P_1}]^\\frac{n-1}{n}$

………………………. Relations between Pressure [P] and Temperature [T]

Polytropic process examples

1. Consider a polytropic process having polytropic index n = (1.1). Initial conditions are: P₁ = 0, V₁ = 0 and ends with P₂= 600 kPa, V₂ = 0.01 m³. Evaluate the work done and Heat Transfer.

Answer: Work done by Polytropic process is given by

$\\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}$

$\\\\W=\\frac{0-600*1000*0.01}{1.1-1}=60kJ$

Heat Transfer is given by

$dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}W_{poly}$

$\\\\dQ=\\frac{1.4 -1.1}{1.4 -1}*60=45\\;kJ$

2. A piston-cylinder contains Oxygen at 200 kPa, with volume of 0.1 m³ and at 200°C. Mass is added at such that the gas compresses with PV^1.2 = constant to a final temperature of 400°C. Calculate the work done.

Ans: Polytropic work done is given by

$\\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}\\\\W=\\frac{mR[T_2-T_1]}{n-1}$

$\\\\\\frac{P_1V_1}{T_1} =mR \\\\mR=\\frac{200*10^3*0.1}{200}\\\\ \\\\mR=100 J/(kg. K) \\\\ \\\\W=\\frac{100*[400-200]}{1.22-1}\\\\ \\\\W=90.909 kJ$

3. Consider Argon at 600 kPa, 30°C is compressed to 90°C in a polytropic process with n = 1.33. Find the work done on the Gas.

Ans: Polytropic work done is given by

$\\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}\\\\W=\\frac{mR[T_2-T_1]}{n-1}$

for Argon at 30°C is 208.1 J/kg. K

Assuming m = 1 kg

work done is

$W=\\frac{1*208.1[90-30]}{1.33-1}\\\\ \\\\W=37.836\\;kJ$

4. Assume mass of 10kg of Xenon is stored in a cylinder at 500 K, 2 MPa, expansion is a Polytropic process (n = 1.28) with final pressure 100 kPa. Calculate the work done. Consider the system has constant specific heat.

Ans: Polytropic work done is given by

$\\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}\\\\W=\\frac{mR[T_2-T_1]}{n-1}$

We know that,

$\\frac{T_2}{T_1}=[\\frac{P_2}{P_1}]^\\frac{n-1}{n}$

$\\\\\\frac{T_2}{500}=[\\frac{100}{2000}]^\\frac{1.28-1}{1.28} \\\\\\\\T_2=259.63\\;K$

for Xenon at 30°C is 63.33 J/kg. K

Assuming m = 10 kg

work done is

$\\\\W=\\frac{10*63.33*[259.63-500]}{1.28-1}\\\\ \\\\W=-543.66\\;kJ$

5. Take into consideration a cylinder-piston having initial volume 0.3 containing 5kg methane gas at 200 kPa. The gas is compressed polytropically (n = 1.32) to a pressure of 1 MPa and volume 0.005 . Calculate the Heat transfer during the process.

Ans: Polytropic Heat Transfer is given by

$dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}$

$\\\\dQ=\\frac{1.4-1.32}{1.4 -1}\\frac{100*1000*0.3-10^6*0.005}{1.32-1} \\\\\\\\dQ=15.625\\;kJ$

6. Take into consideration a cylinder-piston containing 1kg methane gas at 500 kPa, 20°C. The gas is compressed polytropically to a pressure of 800 kPa. Calculate the Heat Transfer with exponent n = 1.15.

Ans: Polytropic Heat Transfer is given by

$dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}$

$dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}\\frac{mR[T_2-T_1]}{n-1}$

We know that, R for methane = 518.2 J/kg. K

$\\frac{T_2}{T_1}=[\\frac{P_2}{P_1}]^\\frac{n-1}{n}$

$\\\\\\frac{T_2}{20+273}=[\\frac{800}{500}]^\\frac{1.15-1}{1.15}\\\\\\\\T_2=311.52\\;K$

$\\\\dQ=\\frac{1.4 -1.15}{1.4 -1}\\frac{1*518.2*[311.52-293]}{1.15-1}\\\\\\\\dQ=39.997\\;kJ$

7. 1 kg of Helium is stored in a piston – cylinder arrangement at 303 K, 200 kPa is compressed to 400K in a reversible polytropic process with exponent n = 1.24. Helium is an ideal gas characteristics so specific heat will be fixed. Find the work and Heat Transfer.

Ans: Polytropic work done is given by

$\\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}\\\\W=\\frac{mR[T_2-T_1]}{n-1}$

R for Helium is 2077.1 J/kg

$\\\\W=\\frac{2077.1*[400-303]}{1.24-1}=839.494\\;kJ$

Polytropic Heat Transfer is given by

$dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}W_{poly}$

$dQ=\\frac{1.4 -1.24}{1.4 -1}*839.494=335.7976\\;kJ$

8.Assume air stored in a cylinder having volume of 0.3 Liters at 3 MPa, 2000K. Air expands following a reversible polytropic process with exponent, n = 1.7, a volume ratio is observed as 8:1 in this case. Calculate the polytropic work for the process and compare it with adiabatic work if the expansion process follows reversible adiabatic expansion.

Ans: We are given with

$\\\\V_1=0.3 \\;liters=0.3*10^{-3} m^3\\\\ \\\\V_2/V_1 =8\\\\ \\\\V_2=8*0.3*10^{-3}=2.4*10^{-3} m^3$

Relations between Pressure [P] and Volume [V]

$\\\\P_1V_1^n=P_2V_2^n\\\\ \\\\\\frac{P_2}{P_1}=[\\frac{V_1}{V_2}]^n$

$\\\\\\frac{P_2}{3}=[\\frac{0.3}{2.4}]^{1.7}\\\\\\\\P_2=0.0874\\;MPa$

Polytropic work done is given by

$\\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}$

$\\\\W=\\frac{3*10^6*0.3*10^{-3}-0.0874*10^6*2.4*10^{-3}}{1.7-1}=986.057\\;kJ$

Adiabatic work done is given by

$\\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{\\gamma-1}$

$\\\\W=\\frac{3*10^6*0.3*10^{-3}-0.0874*10^6*2.4*10^{-3}}{1.4-1}=1725.6\\;kJ$

For expansion process the Work done through reversible adiabatic process is greater than the Work done through reversible Polytropic process.

9. A closed container contains 200L of gas at 35°C, 120 kPa. The gas is in compressng in a polytropic process till it reaches to 200°C, 800 kPa. Find the polytropic work done by the air for n = 1.29.

Ans: Relations between Pressure [P] and Volume [V]

$\\\\P_1V_1^n=P_2V_2^n\\\\ \\\\\\frac{P_2}{P_1}=[\\frac{V_1}{V_2}]^n$

$\\\\\\frac{800}{120}=[\\frac{200}{V_2}]^{1.29} \\\\\\\\V_2=45.95\\;L$

Polytropic work done is given by

$\\\\W=\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}$

$\\\\W=\\frac{120*1000*200*10^{-3}-800*1000*45.95*10^{-3}}{1.29-1}=-44\\;kJ$

10. A mass of 12 kg methane gas at 150°C, 700 kPa, undergoes a polytropic expansion with n = 1.1, to a final temperature of 30°C. Find the Heat Transfer?

Ans: We know that, R for methane = 518.2 J/kg. K

Polytropic Heat Transfer is given by

$dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}\\frac{P_1V_1-P_2V_2}{n-1}$

$dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}\\frac{mR[T_2-T_1]}{n-1}$

$dQ=\\frac{1.4-1.1}{1.4 -1}\\frac{12*518.2*[30-150]}{1.1-1}=-5.596\\;MJ$

11. A cylinder-piston Assembly contains R-134a at 10°C; the volume is 5 Liters. The Coolant is compressed to 100°C, 3 MPa Following a reversible polytropic process. calculate the work done and Heat Transfer?

Ans: We know that, R for R-134a = 81.49 J/kg. K

Polytropic work done is given by

$W=\\frac{mR[T_2-T_1]}{n-1}$

$W=\\frac{1*81.49*[100-10]}{1.33-1}=22.224\\;kJ$

Polytropic Heat Transfer is given by

$dQ=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}*W$

$dQ=\\frac{1.4 -1.33}{1.4 -1}*22.224=3.8892\\;kJ$

12. Is a polytropic process isothermal in nature?

Ans: When n becomes 1 for a polytropic process: Under the Assumption of Ideal Gas Law, The PV = C represents the Constant Temperature or Isothermal Process.

13. Is a polytropic process reversible?

Ans: a polytropic processes are internally reversible. Some examples are:

n = 0: P = C: Represents an isobaric process or constant pressure process.

n = 1: PV = C: Under the Assumption of Ideal Gas Law, The PV^γ = C represents the Constant Temperature or Isothermal Process.

n = γ: Under the assumption of ideal gas law, represents the Constant entropy or Isentropic Process or reversible adiabatic process.

n = Infinity : Represents an isochoric process or constant volume process.

14. Is adiabatic polytropic process?

Ans: when n = γ: Under the assumption of ideal gas law PV^γ = C, represents the Constant entropy or Isentropic Process or reversible adiabatic process.

14. What is Polytropic efficiency?

Ans: Polytropic Efficiency can be defined as the ratio of Ideal work of compression, to the Actual work of compression for a differential pressure change in a multi-stage Compressor. In simple terms it is an isentropic efficiency of the process for an infinitesimally small stage in a multi-stage compressor.

In simple terms it is an isentropic efficiency of the process for an infinitesimally small stage in a multi-stage compressor.

$\\eta_p=\\frac{\\frac{\\gamma-1}{\\gamma}ln\\frac{P_d }{P_s}}{ln\\frac{T_d }{T_s}}$

Where, γ = Adiabatic index

P_d = Delivery Pressure

P_s = Suction Pressure

T_d = Delivery Temperature

T_s = Suction temperature

15. What is Gamma in Polytropic process?

Ans: In a Polytropic process when n = γ: Under the assumption of ideal gas law PV^γ = C, represents the Constant entropy or Isentropic Process or reversible adiabatic process.

16. what is n in polytropic process?

Ans: The polytropic process can be defined by the equation,

PVⁿ = C

the exponent n is called polytropic index. It depends upon the material and varies from 1.0 to 1.4. It is also called as constant specific heat process, in which heat absorbed by the gas taken into consideration because of unit rise in temperature is constant.

17. What conclusions can be made for a polytropic process with n=1?

Ans: when n = 1: PVⁿ = C : Under the Assumption of Ideal Gas Law becomes The PV = C represents the Constant Temperature or Isothermal Process.

18. What is a non-polytropic process?

Ans: The polytropic process can be defined by the equation PVⁿ = C , the exponent n is called polytropic index. When,

n < 0: Negative Polytropic index denotes a process where Work and heat transfer occurs simultaneously through the boundaries of system. However, such spontaneous process violates the Second law of Thermodynamics. These special cases are used in thermal interaction for astrophysics and chemical energy.
n = 0: P = C: Represents an isobaric process or constant pressure process.
n = 1: PV = C: Under the Assumption of Ideal Gas Law, The PV = C represents the Constant Temperature or Isothermal Process.
1 < n < γ: Under the assumption of ideal gas law, In these Process the heat and work flow move in opposite direction (K>0) Like in Vapor compression cycles, Heat lost to hot surrounding.
n = γ: Under the assumption of ideal gas law, PV^γ = C represents the Constant entropy or Isentropic Process or reversible adiabatic process.
γ<n < Infinity : In this process it is assumed that heat and work flow move in same direction like in IC engine when some amount of generated heat is lost to the cylinder walls etc.
n = Infinity : Represents an isochoric process or constant volume process

19. Why is heat transfer negative in a polytropic process?

Ans: Polytropic Heat Transfer is given by

$Q=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}*W_{poly}$

When γ < n < Infinity : In this process it is assumed that heat and work flow move in same direction. The change in temperature is due to change in internal energy rather than heat supplied. Thus, even though heat is added in a polytropic expansion the temperature of the gas decreases.

20. Why does the temperature decrease on heat addition in the polytropic process?

Ans: Polytropic Heat Transfer is given by

$Q=\\frac{\\gamma -n}{\\gamma -1}*W_{poly}$

For the condition: 1 < n < γ: Under the assumption of ideal gas law, In these Process the heat and work flow move in opposite direction (K>0) Like in Vapor compression cycles, Heat lost to hot surrounding. The change in temperature is due to change in internal energy rather than heat supplied. The work produced exceeds the amount of heat supplied or added. Thus, even though heat is added in a polytropic expansion the temperature of the gas decreases.

21. In a polytropic process where PVⁿ =constant, is temperature constant as well?

Ans: In a polytropic process where PVⁿ =constant, the temperature remains constant only when the polytropic index n = 1. For n = 1: PV = C: Under the Assumption of Ideal Gas Law, The PV = C represents the Constant Temperature or Isothermal Process.

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Hakimuddin Bawangaonwala

I am Hakimuddin Bawangaonwala , A Mechanical Design Engineer with Expertise in Mechanical Design and Development. I have Completed M. Tech in Design Engineering and has 2.5 years of Research Experience. Till now Published Two research papers on Hard Turning and Finite Element Analysis of Heat Treatment Fixtures. My Area of Interest is Machine Design, Strength of Material, Heat Transfer, Thermal Engineering etc. Proficient in CATIA and ANSYS Software for CAD and CAE. Apart from Research.

Definition Polytropic process

Polytropic Equation | Polytropic equation of state

Polytropic index

Some important relations between Pressure [P], Volume [V] and temperature [T] in Polytropic process for an Ideal Gas

Polytropic Work

Polytropic Heat transfer

Polytropic vs isentropic process

Polytropic process vs adiabatic process

Polytropic efficiency

Polytropic head

Polytropic process for air | Polytropic process for an ideal gas

Polytropic process examples

1. Consider a polytropic process having polytropic index n = (1.1). Initial conditions are: P1 = 0, V1 = 0 and ends with P2= 600 kPa, V2 = 0.01 m3. Evaluate the work done and Heat Transfer.

2. A piston-cylinder contains Oxygen at 200 kPa, with volume of 0.1 m3 and at 200°C. Mass is added at such that the gas compresses with PV1.2 = constant to a final temperature of 400°C. Calculate the work done.

3. Consider Argon at 600 kPa, 30°C is compressed to 90°C in a polytropic process with n = 1.33. Find the work done on the Gas.

4. Assume mass of 10kg of Xenon is stored in a cylinder at 500 K, 2 MPa, expansion is a Polytropic process (n = 1.28) with final pressure 100 kPa. Calculate the work done. Consider the system has constant specific heat.

5. Take into consideration a cylinder-piston having initial volume 0.3 containing 5kg methane gas at 200 kPa. The gas is compressed polytropically (n = 1.32) to a pressure of 1 MPa and volume 0.005 . Calculate the Heat transfer during the process.

6. Take into consideration a cylinder-piston containing 1kg methane gas at 500 kPa, 20°C. The gas is compressed polytropically to a pressure of 800 kPa. Calculate the Heat Transfer with exponent n = 1.15.

7. 1 kg of Helium is stored in a piston – cylinder arrangement at 303 K, 200 kPa is compressed to 400K in a reversible polytropic process with exponent n = 1.24. Helium is an ideal gas characteristics so specific heat will be fixed. Find the work and Heat Transfer.

9. A closed container contains 200L of gas at 35°C, 120 kPa. The gas is in compressng in a polytropic process till it reaches to 200°C, 800 kPa. Find the polytropic work done by the air for n = 1.29.

10. A mass of 12 kg methane gas at 150°C, 700 kPa, undergoes a polytropic expansion with n = 1.1, to a final temperature of 30°C. Find the Heat Transfer?

11. A cylinder-piston Assembly contains R-134a at 10°C; the volume is 5 Liters. The Coolant is compressed to 100°C, 3 MPa Following a reversible polytropic process. calculate the work done and Heat Transfer?

12. Is a polytropic process isothermal in nature?

13. Is a polytropic process reversible?

14. Is adiabatic polytropic process?

14. What is Polytropic efficiency?

15. What is Gamma in Polytropic process?

16. what is n in polytropic process?

17. What conclusions can be made for a polytropic process with n=1?

18. What is a non-polytropic process?

19. Why is heat transfer negative in a polytropic process?

20. Why does the temperature decrease on heat addition in the polytropic process?

21. In a polytropic process where PVn =constant, is temperature constant as well?

Hi Fellow Reader,

1. Consider a polytropic process having polytropic index n = (1.1). Initial conditions are: P₁ = 0, V₁ = 0 and ends with P₂= 600 kPa, V₂ = 0.01 m³. Evaluate the work done and Heat Transfer.

2. A piston-cylinder contains Oxygen at 200 kPa, with volume of 0.1 m³ and at 200°C. Mass is added at such that the gas compresses with PV^1.2 = constant to a final temperature of 400°C. Calculate the work done.

21. In a polytropic process where PVⁿ =constant, is temperature constant as well?