Description
This unit introduces students to the principles and concepts of thermodynamics and its application in modern engineering.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to investigate fundamental thermodynamic systems and their properties, apply the steady flow energy equation to plant equipment, examine the principles of heat transfer to industrial applications, and determine the performance of internal combustion engines.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Investigate fundamental thermodynamic systems and their properties.
Fundamental systems:
Forms of energy and basic definitions
Definitions of systems (open and closed) and surroundings
First law of thermodynamics
The gas laws: Charles’ Law, Boyle’s Law, general gas law and the Characteristic Gas Equation
The importance and applications of pressure/volume diagrams and the concept of work done
Polytrophic processes: constant pressure, constant volume, adiabatic and isothermal systems
2. Apply the Steady Flow Energy Equation to plant equipment.
Energy equations:
Conventions used when describing the behaviour of heat and work
The Non-Flow Energy Equation as it applies to closed systems
Assumptions, applications and examples of practical systems
Steady Flow Energy Equation as applied to open systems
Assumptions made about the conditions around, energy transfer and the calculations for specific plant equipment e.g. boilers, super-heaters, turbines, pumps and condensers
3. Examine the principles of heat transfer to industrial applications.
Principles of heat transfer:
Modes of heat transmission, including conduction, convection & radiation
Heat transfer through composite walls and use of U and k values
Application of formulae to different types of heat exchangers, including recuperator and evaporative
Regenerators
Heat losses in thick and thin walled pipes, optimum lagging thickness
4. Determine the performance of internal combustion engines.
Performance:
Application of the second law of thermodynamics to heat engines
Comparison of theoretical and practical heat engine cycles, including Otto, Diesel and Carnot
Explanations of practical applications of heat engine cycles, such as compression ignition (CI) and spark ignition engines, including their relative mechanical and thermodynamic efficiencies
Describe possible efficiency improvements to heat engines