Course syllabus for Applied thermodynamics

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-15 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameTeknisk termodynamik
  • CodeLKT321
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTIKEL
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyChemical Engineering
  • DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 64112
  • Maximum participants35
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0121 Laboratory 2.5 c
Grading: UG		 2.5 c
0221 Examination 5 c
Grading: TH		 5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

MVE525 Calculus and LKT053 Physical chemistry, or equivalent.

Aim

The course treats the macroscopic aspects of thermodynamics, the classical thermodynamics, and should give basic knowledge of applied thermodynamics for vapor power plants, refrigerators and heat pumps. Fluid mechanics is also introduced as incompressible, frictionless flow.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • explain basic concepts in engineering thermodynamics, such as energy, heat and work
  • explain basic concepts concerning the nature and states of fluids
  • apply the first principle of thermodynamics in closed and open systems
  • explain the meaning of the second principle of thermodynamics and the limitations of various conversion processes
  • use the thermodynamic relations, graphs and tables to calculate the various state entities.
  • describe in detail what a thermodynamic cycle and the difference between reversible and non-reversible processes
  • explain how the most common thermodynamic machines work, such as Otto, Diesel, Clausius-Rankine and Brayton
  • explain the principles of steam cycle process (Clausius-Rankine), gas turbine process (Brayton) and the internal combustion engine (Otto and Diesel) and solve problems related to these processes and principles applied to increase efficiency
  • describe constraints and ethical aspects of the use of various energy technologies and fuels as well as technologies to minimize environmental effects
  • explain the overall technical capabilities of thermal, nuclear, wind, hydro and solar power

Content

The course builds on the fundamental principles on engineering thermodynamics and principles of energy conversion: states and processes, first and second principle of thermodynamics, entropy, Carnot cycle, heat machines (Otto, Diesel, Brayton, Clausius-Rankine), and cooling-machines. Knowledge of thermodynamics is then applied to energy processes. The effectiveness of various processes are discussed along with the loss and waste resulting from energy conversion. The principles of the internal combustion engine, heating, combined heat and power stations are treated specially, first from a thermodynamic point of view and then by the application. Subsequent parts of the course deals with the importance of renewable energy sources (biofuels, wind, solar), fossil fuels with carbon capture and nuclear power for an energy system with restrictions on carbon emissions. The principles on thermodynamics and energy technologies practiced in the exercises, and through a comprehensive design exercise of a real power plant and a laboratory experiment on a heat pump.

Organisation

The course is built around: - Lectures - Exercises - A design task - A laboratory experiment - A study visit

Literature

- Ekroth & Granryd - Tillämpad termodynamik (2006 edition)
- Formel- och tabellsamling Termodynamik med Energiteknik
- Kurskompendium i energiteknik 

Examination including compulsory elements

- written exam with a grading scale of TH (5.0 credits) - design exercise and laboratory work with grading scale UG (2.5 credits)

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.