Methane enters a heat exchanger at a volumetric flow rate of 255.0 m3/min, at an absolute pressure of 1.013 bar and temperature of 35.0°C. At these conditions, the specific enthalpy of methane is 21.462 kJ/kg. The methane leaves the heat exchanger at an absolute pressure of 1.013 bar and temperature of 75.0°C. The corresponding specific enthalpy at these conditions is 113.783 kJ/kg. The methane is heated by a stream of saturated steam entering the heat exchanger at 2.0 bar (absolute) and leaving as a liquid at 68°C. Find the volumetric flow rate of saturated steam into the heat exchanger by following the steps below.
A) What is the mass flow rate of methane into the heat exchanger? 162 kg/min
B) What rate of heat is supplied to the methane stream in order to heat it from 35.0°C to 75.0°C? 250 kW
C) What is the minimum mass flow rate of saturated steam into the heat exchanger?
D) What is the volumetric flow rate of saturated steam into the heat exchanger?