Course syllabus for Thermodynamics and energy technology

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-15 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameTermodynamik med energiteknik
  • CodeMTF042
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKMAS
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyEnergy and Environmental Systems and Technology, Mechanical Engineering
  • ThemeEnvironment 1.5 c
  • DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 55140
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0111 Examination 5 c
Grading: TH		0 c0 c5 c0 c0 c0 c
0211 Design exercise + laboratory 2.5 c
Grading: UG		0 c0 c2.5 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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

Mathematics corresponding to the first two years of the mechanical engineering programme.

Aim

The course aim is that students should learn basic thermodynamics and energy technological processes such as combustion engine, gas turbine and steam cycle. This includes gases and liquids properties, the concepts of energy and entropy, and the laws of how these variables may change in different processes. Furthermore, the course aims to understand the context, opportunities and constraints that exist to meet future energy demand in a sustainable manner. Within the above areas is also intended course to give visibility to knowledge relevant to mechanical engineering profession.

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) - describe constraints and ethical aspects of the use of various energy technologies and fuels as well as technologies to minimize environmental effects - explain basic principles related to heat transfer through conduction and convection as well as how the heat transfer in heat exchangers are affected by geometry, material and flow. -solve problems related to these processes and principles applied to increase efficiency and heat transfer - explain the overall technical capabilities of thermal, nuclear, wind, hydro and solar power - write a report

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). 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. Also heat transfer through conduction and convection, and its importance to energy technologies, with focus on heat excheangers, are discussed. 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.