Chimney draught at maximum discharge — compact formula (mm of water) For a chimney of height H (metres) with outside air absolute temperature T1 (K), the draught required (in mm of water) for maximum discharge of flue gases is given by which relation?

Mechanical Engineering Steam Boilers and Engines Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
  • A
    h = 353 * H * (1/T1 − 1/Tg)
  • B
    h = 176.5 * H / T1
  • C
    h = 353 * H / T1
  • D
    h = 88.25 * H / T1
  • E
    h = 29.43 * H * (Tg − T1)

Answer

Correct Answer: h = 176.5 * H / T1

Explanation

Introduction / Context:Natural draught chimneys rely on buoyancy: lighter hot gases rise and are replaced by cooler outside air. The mass flow through a chimney depends on the draught head and gas density. There is a particular exit-gas temperature that maximizes discharge for a given height and ambient temperature, leading to a compact formula for the required draught in mm of water.Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Chimney height H in metres.
  • Outside air absolute temperature T1 in kelvin.
  • Ideal-gas behavior; standard empirical constant 353 used for mm of water.
  • Neglecting frictional and local losses in the maximizing argument (theoretical condition).

Concept / Approach:The general draught head is h = 353 * H * (1/T1 − 1/Tg) in mm of water, where Tg is the absolute temperature of the chimney gases at the outlet. Maximizing discharge with respect to Tg (using continuity and momentum with density proportional to 1/T) yields the condition Tg = 2 * T1. Substituting Tg = 2T1 into the general expression gives the maximum-discharge draught.Step-by-Step Solution:

Start with h = 353 * H * (1/T1 − 1/Tg).At maximum discharge, Tg = 2 * T1 ⇒ 1/Tg = 1/(2T1).Compute: h_max = 353 * H * (1/T1 − 1/(2T1)) = 353 * H * (1/(2T1)) = 176.5 * H / T1 (mm of water).

Verification / Alternative check:If T1 = 300 K and H = 60 m, h_max ≈ 176.5 * 60 / 300 ≈ 35.3 mm of water, which is in the reasonable range for natural draught chimneys.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • 353 * H * (1/T1 − 1/Tg): general formula; does not enforce the maximum-discharge condition.
  • 353 * H / T1 or 88.25 * H / T1: factors correspond to Tg = ∞ or Tg = (4/3) T1, not the optimum.
  • 29.43 * H * (Tg − T1): wrong dependence and units.

Common Pitfalls:Confusing absolute and Celsius temperatures; omitting the constant 353 that converts to mm of water; applying the result when strong frictional losses or dampers alter the optimum.

Final Answer:

h = 176.5 * H / T1
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