Description
The aim of this unit is to provide a rational understanding of functional thermodynamics and fluid mechanics in common industrial applications. The unit promotes a problem-based approach to solving realistic work-related quandaries such as steam plant efficiency and fluid flow capacities.
Students will examine fundamental thermodynamic principles, steam and gas turbine systems and viscosity in fluids, along with static and dynamic fluid systems. Each element of the unit will identify a variety of engineering challenges and assess how problems are overcome in real-life industrial situations.
Additionally, students will develop their perceptions of industrial thermodynamic systems, particularly those involving steam and gas turbine power. In addition, they will consider the impact of energy transfer in engineering applications along with the characteristics of fluid flow in piping systems and numerous hydraulic devices, all of which are prevalent in typical manufacturing and process facilities.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Review industrial thermodynamic systems and their properties.
Thermodynamic systems:
Power generation plant
Significance of first law of thermodynamics
Analysis of Non-Flow Energy Equation (NFEE) and Steady Flow Energy Equation (SFEE) systems
Application of thermodynamic property tables
Energy transfer systems employing polytropic processes (isothermal, adiabatic and isentropic)
Pressure/volume diagrams and the concept of work done: use of conventions
The application of the Gas Laws and polytropic laws for vapours and gases
2. Examine the operation of practical steam and gas turbines plants.
Steam and gas turbine plant:
Principles of operation of steam and gas turbine plants
Use of property diagrams to analyse plant
Characteristics of steam/gas turbine plant as used in energy supply
Energy-saving options adopted on steam plants operating on modified Rankine cycle
Performance characteristics of steam and gas power plant
Cycle efficiencies: turbine isentropic efficiencies and overall relative efficiency
3. Illustrate the properties of viscosity in fluids.
Viscosity in fluids:
Viscosity: shear stress, shear rate, dynamic viscosity, kinematic viscosity
Viscosity measurement: operating principles of viscosity measuring devices e.g. falling sphere, U-tube, rotational and orifice viscometers (such as Redwood)
Newtonian fluids and non-Newtonian fluids: pseudoplastic, Bingham plastic, Casson plastic and dilatant fluids
4. Analyse fluid systems and hydraulic machines.
Fluid systems:
Characteristics of fluid flow: laminar and turbulent flow, Reynolds number
Friction factors: relative roughness of pipe, use of Moody diagrams
Head losses across various industrial pipe fittings and valves, use of Bernoulli’s Equation and Darcy’s Formula
Hydraulic machines:
Turbines: Pelton wheel, Kaplan turbine, Francis wheel
Pumps: centrifugal, reciprocating
Analysis of systems:
Dimensional analysis: verification of equations for torque, power and flow rate
Application of dimensional analysis to determine the characteristics of a scale model
Use of Buckingham Pi Theorem