Steady-Flow System

Applying the first law of thermodynamics to a steady-flow system, defined by control volume shown above, gives:

known as steady-flow energy equation. Where,

dQ/dt= Supplied heat to the system per unit time,
dW/dt= Input work to the system per unit time,
m= Mass flow rate,
h=h2-h1,
h= Specific enthalpy,
C/2= Difference in kinetic energy between outlet and inlet,
Z= Height measured from some reference datum,
1, 2 = refer to inlet and outlet, respectively.