Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer - 2023 entry

This module covers engineering thermodynamics and heat transfer, including refrigeration, heat exchangers and compressors, as well as various aspects of power generation such as gas turbines, internal combustion engines and modern systems such as hybrid power trains and fuel cells.

Processes of heat and energy transfer are fundamental to mechanical engineering, particularly when it comes to power and energy generation. This module introduces the theory and practice of engineering thermodynamics and heat transfer. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of thermodynamics and heat transfer and explore their application in analysing steam operated power plants and design of heat exchangers. You will develop cycle analysis for the design of refrigerators, compressors, gas turbines, compression and spark ignition engines. Furthermore, you will study the properties of fuels, their combustion, exhaust composition, atmospheric pollution, exhaust emissions and reduction. The module also introduces you to the scientific and engineering aspects of other powertrains such as hybrid systems and fuel cells, which are becoming increasingly important in vehicle engineering.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

1: Introduction to thermodynamics: governing laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic functions, behaviour of perfect gases, phase behaviour of real substances, thermodynamic charts and tables, application to heat exchangers, throttling processes, compressors, Carnot and Rankine cycles; :

2: Heat transfer: basic mechanisms of heat transfer – especially conduction, convection, heat exchangers, heat transfer coefficients, heating and cooling problems, coupled conduction/convection problems, natural convection, heat transfer with phase change, introduction to radiative heat transfer, refrigeration and heat pump cycles;:

3: Engine technology: internal combustion engines, petrol and diesel cycles; engine testing, cycle analysis, effect of irreversibilities; gas turbines, practical details, cycle analysis; fuels; types of fuel, properties, combustion calculations, exhaust analysis, pollutant formation mechanisms, remediation technology; alternative systems including electrochemical energy conversion (fuel cells and batteries).:

Reassessment will be by a single written exam only worth 100% of the module. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 40%.

Reading list for this module: