3. A 4-m × 5-m × 7-m room is heated by the radiator of a steam-heating system. The steam radiator transfers heat at a rate of 10,000 kJ/h, and a 100-W fan is used to distribute the warm air in the room. The rate of heat loss from the room is estimated to be about 5000 kJ/h. If the initial temperature of the room air is 10°C, determine how long it will take for the air temperature to rise to 20°C. Assume constant specific heats at room temperature.

14.52 minutes

OR

14 minutes and 31 seconds

Explanation:

Let's first start by mentioning the specific heat of air at constant volume. We consider constant volume and NOT constant pressure because the volume of the room remains constant while pressure may vary.

Specific heat at constant volume at 27°C = 0.718 kJ/kg*K

Initial temperature of room (in kelvin) = 283.15 K

Final temperature (required) of room = 293.15 K

Mass of air in room= volume * density= (4 * 5 * 7) * (1.204 kg/m3) = 168.56kg

Heat required at constant volume: 0.718 * (change in temp) * (mass of air)

Heat required = 0.718 * (293.15 - 283.15) * (168.56) = 1,210.26 kJ

Time taken for temperature rise: heat required / (rate of heat change)

Where rate of heat change = 10000 - 5000 = 5000 kJ/hr

Time taken = 1210.26 / 5000 = 0.24205 hours

Converted to minutes = 0.24205 * 60 = 14.52 minutes