Availabilities:
Unit Summary
Unit aim
Introduces students to the fundamental concepts of engineering thermodynamics, including the units, definitions and physical basis of thermodynamic functions, and the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Students engage in individual modelling and analysis of thermodynamics systems applied to engineering.
Unit content
1. Introduction to thermodynamics and basic concepts
2. Energy and energy transfer, first law of thermodynamics
3. Thermodynamic properties of substances
4. Mass and energy balances in open and closed systems
5. Entropy, second law of thermodynamics
6. Vapour, Combined Power and Refrigeration Cycles
7. Gas Mixtures, Gas-Vapour Mixtures and Air-Conditioning
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Describe basic concepts, including the definition, units and physical basis of thermodynamic functions such as internal energy, entropy, enthalpy and specific heat |
| 2 | Use thermodynamic tables, phase diagrams and equations of state to obtain thermodynamic property data |
| 3 | Define the thermodynamic system of interest in a given mechanical engineering problem, and the relevant thermodynamic properties that describe the system |
| 4 | Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics for closed and open systems |
| 5 | Apply thermodynamics in mechanical systems, including power cycles, refrigeration cycles and air conditioning systems. |
| 6 | Develop skills in effectively using engineering simulation, in a team environment, for modelling of thermodynamic systems, and in reporting findings. |
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Describe basic concepts, including the definition, units and physical basis of thermodynamic functions such as internal energy, entropy, enthalpy and specific heat
- Use thermodynamic tables, phase diagrams and equations of state to obtain thermodynamic property data
- Define the thermodynamic system of interest in a given mechanical engineering problem, and the relevant thermodynamic properties that describe the system
- Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics for closed and open systems
- Apply thermodynamics in mechanical systems, including power cycles, refrigeration cycles and air conditioning systems.
- Develop skills in effectively using engineering simulation, in a team environment, for modelling of thermodynamic systems, and in reporting findings.
Prescribed texts
- No prescribed texts.