Thermodynamics

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Compute changes in thermodynamic properties due to: mixing, throttling, compression, expansion, heat exchange, and combustion. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, EA1b, EA3b.]
• Determine operating conditions for thermodynamic cycles in order to optimise power or efficiency. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, SM3b, EA1b, EA2b, EA3b, EA4b, D2, EL4.]
• Design machines for improved efficiency using thermodynamic reasoning. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, SM3b, EA1b, EA2b, EA3b, EA4b, D2, EL4.]

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Fundamentals of combustion. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, SM3b, EA1b.]
• Environmental and economic factors driving energy technology. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes D2, EL4.]
• Thermodynamic properties of real fluids – including liquid-vapour systems, mixtures, and nonideal gases – and their use in engineering calculations. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, SM3b.]
• Current technologies for improving the performance of auto- and aero-engines, power generation, and refrigeration plant. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, SM3b, EA1b, EA2b, EA3b, EA4b.]
• Theoretical and practical constraints on the performance of internal combustion engines, gas turbines, steam and vapour cycles, and combined cycles. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, SM3b, EA1b, EA2b, EA3b, EA4b, D2, EL4.]

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate fluid properties manually and computationally, by using the equation-of-state, property tables, or charts. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, SM3b, EA1b, EA3b.]
• Undertake experimental evaluation of thermal plant and energy systems. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes P3, P8, P11.]

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use a computer to perform parametric design studies. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, SM3b, EA1b, EA2b, EA3b, EA4b, D2, D4.]
• Analyse experimental data and summarise findings. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes SM1b, SM2b, EA1b, EA2b, D6, P2, P4, P8, G1, D3b.]
• Devise appropriate plots for analysis, communication, and justification of design decisions. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes D3b, D6, G1.]
• Communicate in a clear, structured and efficient manner. [Contributes to Engineering Accreditation Board (AHEP3) learning outcomes D3b, D6, G1.]

• Introduction to applications of thermodynamics, and environmental and socio-economic factors.
• Thermodynamic properties and processes: Thermodynamic properties and non-ideal fluids; analysis of real thermodynamic processes (compressors and turbines, throttles, nozzles, co/counterflow heat exchangers, property change due to combustion); description of combustion mechanisms; chemical equilibrium.
• Internal combustion engine applications: Operating principles and performance parameters thermodynamic analysis of ideal and real cycles (including availability analysis); Improving performance, and current directions in engine technology.
• Gas turbine applications: Analysis of real gas turbines – Adaptations for power generation (intercooling, reheat, recuperation, blade cooling); gas turbines for aero-propulsion (incl. propulsive efficiency and bypass).
• Vapour cycles: Properties of condensable fluids, use of tables, charts and equation of state; Carnot and Rankine power cycles; Effects of steam temperature and pressure, reheat, regenerative feedwater heating, and boiler efficiency.
• Boilers and combined cycles: Steam generation in bio-mass and coal-fired power plant; combined-cycles – heat recovery steam generators and consideration of the pinch-point.
• Refrigeration and Psychrometry: Refrigerants and refrigeration applications; Mixtures of air and water; Applications to air conditioning.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• Lectures including examples and demonstration experiments, with lecture notes provided.
• Example papers, example classes, and online problem solving tutorials.
• Laboratory briefings
• Structured power plant analysis activity with demonstrator support.

Learning activities include

• Individual work on examples.
• Laboratory measurements, analysis, and assessment activity.
• Power plant analysis activity: background reading, computational analysis, and assessment activity.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Software requirements. The Power Plant Analysis Project makes use of Matlab software (available on University work stations) and additional power plant analysis software provided via blackboard

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External