Thermodynamics module (ME21002)

The broad career options of a mechanical engineer mean you could specialise as thermodynamics engineer who needs to apply the theory of thermodynamics to many types of mechanical systems. Thermodynamics engineers can be employed in many industries, such as manufacturing of parts, engines, electrical and electronics, and aerospace industrial plants to name a few. After completing this module, you will understand energy transfer involving heat, mechanical work, mass, and general energy analysis. The material covered will include concepts of heat transfer and its control, use of diagrams to represent thermodynamic properties and processes. The course will also involve practical laboratory experiments to help understand the taught lecture content.

Specific content covered:

• heat work, systems, reversibility and state
• thermodynamic processes and cycles
• units
• conservation of energy and the First Law of Thermodynamics
• the perfect gas, standard processes
• the Second Law of Thermodynamics – cycle efficiency, forward and reversed heat engines
• Carnot efficiency, entropy and reversibility
• heat engines, internal combustion engines, air standard cycles
• the Carnot cycle, applications to petrol, gas and diesel engines
• steady state heat transfer
• steam cycles, application to processes
• Carnot and Rankine cycles
• superheating, reheating, and feedwater heating, application to steam power plant
• introduction to heat transfer and heat exchangers

This module in combination with the other practical problem-solving modules are essential to be a successful engineer.