Detailed module information
Module information on this degree can be found below, separated by year of study.
The module information below applies for the current academic year. The academic year runs from August to July; the 'current year' switches over at the end of July.
Students select optional courses subject to rules specified in the Mechanical Engineering Student Handbook, for example at most three Design and Business courses. Please note that numbers are limited on some optional courses and selection criteria will apply.
Thermodynamics 2
Module aims
This module builds on ME1 Thermodynamics to develop an understanding of the principles of a variety of industrially-significant processes concerned with energy conversion and use, and of the design and operation of plant relying on those processes including gas and steam turbines, boilers and heat exchangers, reciprocating engines, refrigeration and air-conditioning plant.
ECTS units: 5
Learning outcomes
Recall the principles of design and operation of a variety of industrially-significant equipment concerned with energy conversion and use;
Describe the thermodynamics processes involved, using the appropriate terminology;
Identify appropriate parameters and criteria for assessing the performance of devices or processes;
Identify interactions between thermodynamics and other engineering disciplines in the design of components and systems;
Compare the performance of real plant with ideal models for several gas and vapour power cycles, refrigeration/heat pump cycles and gas liquefication processes;
Analyse processes involving ideal gas and gas-vapour mixtures, analytically and by use of psychrometric charts;
Use the laws of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to make preliminary analyses and designs of axial-flow turbomachine states;
Determine the irreversibility and exergy change in processes involving turbomachines, heat exchangers, valves etc;
Account for chemical reactions in solving simple problems on combustion and demonstrate awareness of their environmental consequences;
Use a variety of measuring techniques for pressure, temperature, dryness fraction, humidity, flow rate, torque and power (met during laboratory investigations of the operation and performance of an air conditioning unit and a steam power plant);
Work effectively within a small group to plan, execute and communicate results from an experimental study.
Module syllabus
Introduction and revision of ME1 course
Power cycles and power plant
Gas turbine engines
Gas and gas-vapour mixtures
Refrigeration, heat pump and gas liquefaction cycles and plant
Thermodynamics of turbomachinery
Entropy and Exergy
Combustion
Pre-requisites
ME1-hTHD
Teaching methods
Students will be introduced to the main topics through lectures, supported by technology (PowerPoint, Panapto and Blackboard). Short activities (using interactive pedagogies) will occasionally be introduced in the classroom setting to reinforce learning, for example through mentimeter and the like. You will be provided with problem solving sheets and should complete these as part of your independent study. Tutorials sessions will provide small group interaction with teaching staff where you are expected to engage in discussion on specific problems.
Assessments
| Assessment details | ||||
| Pass mark | ||||
| Grading method | Numeric | 40% | ||
| Assessments | ||||
| Assessment type | Assessment description | Weighting | Pass mark | Must pass? |
| Examination | 1.5 Hour exam | 95% | 40% | Y |
| Examination | Progress test | 5% | 40% | N |