Undergraduate - UnitCHE2164 - Thermodynamics I

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Synopsis

Introduce fundamentals and applications of classical thermodynamics. Understand the concepts of heat, work, energy, and entropy, the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics and their application. Introduction to the Carnot cycle and the concept of irreversibility. Understand the use of property diagrams in solving heat engine and heat pump cycles. Understand the operation and analysis of the Brayton, Otto, Diesel and Rankine cycles. Introduction to the analysis of refrigeration and heat pump cycles. Perform experiments to illustrate the concepts of Thermodynamics. Simple combustion processes. Renewable energy and its use in heating and electricity generation and environmental benefits.

Outcomes

1. Understand the basic concepts of energy, work, heat, temperature, state of a system, path and state functions, phase equilibrium
2. Understand the formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics including the Kelvin-Planck and Clausius forms of the second law
3. Develop skills in applying the first and second laws of thermodynamics to problems involving open and closed systems in steady and unsteady state situations
4. Be able to calculate changes in internal energy, enthalpy and entropy of simple fluids in the vapour, liquid, and mixed state as a result of heat and work interactions
5. Be able to analyse the performance of gas and vapour power cycles in particular the Brayton cycle, Otto cycle, diesel cycle and Rankine cycle. Appreciate the use of T-s and P-v diagrams in the solution and interpretation of these problems
6. Be able to analyse the performance of refrigeration and heat pump cycles by the use of tables and/or P-h diagrams
7. Be familiar with renewable energy systems and their Thermodynamic analysis
8. Develop skills in the experimental measurement of heat and work transfer processes and the interpretation of experimental data in the context of the theory of thermodynamics
9. Obtain practice in writing a technical report.

Assessment

Assignments/Tests/Laboratory: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%
Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component (assignments, tests, mid-semester exams, laboratory reports) and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Professor Karen Hapgood

Contact hours

3 hours lectures, 3 hours practice sessions and/or laboratories and 6 hours of private study per week