Advanced Thermodynamics

The course will cover the following

• Thermodynamic laws, first, second and third laws, enthalpy, entropy, availability,
• Gas cycles, Carnot, Otto, Joule (Brayton), Diesel, Dual, Stirling, PV and TS Diagrams, power, efficiency, work
• Engines, C. engines, operation principles, cycles, 2 and 4 strokes, pressure charging, engine trials, indicated and brake power
• Steam and gas turbines, principles, schematic plant layouts, application of appropriate cycles, constructional features, work done, blading efficiency, axial thrust, efficiencies, heat exchanger
• Energy conservation and environmental effects, the environment, total energy conservation in plant, waste heat recovery, overall efficiencies, co-generation plants.
• Steam generating plant and cycles, boiler types, feed systems, feed components, feed water contamination and treatment, boiler efficiencies, evaporators, condensers, heat balance, Dalton’s law of partial pressures.
• Nozzles steam and air flow, critical pressure ratio, nozzle shapes, supersaturation
• HVAC systems, humidity, heating cooling loads, Load line, recycle air, fresh air, plant layout
• Fuels and combustion calculations, chemical equations of combustion, air/fuel ratios, analysis of exhaust gases, gas analysis equipment, solid, liquid and gaseous fuels, calorific values of fuels, preparation of fuels for use, fuel storage, application and use in modern plant.
• Air compressors, Types, FAD, Multi staging, Inter cooling, Volumetric efficiency, power
• Refrigerants, cycles, coefficient of performance, secondary circuits, heat pumps, plant layouts, Q, W.

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to

• Demonstrate an understanding of the laws of thermodynamics
• Analyse common Internal combustion engine cycles and explain their operation and their effects on the environment
• Demonstrate an understanding of process heating/cooling systems
• Explain nozzle terminology, calculate velocities and pressures
• Outline HVAC system operation and equipment and determine heating, cooling and dehumidifying loads
• Determine air/fuel ratios and exhaust analysis for common fuels and describe handling requirements

Assessment

• Internal assessment 50%
• Examination 50%

For more information and a full list of exam times see our examinations page.

Textbooks

There is a textbook required for this course: Thermodynamics – An Engineering Approach Cengel and Boles ISBN: 9780073398174

Visit our textbook page for more information.

Labs requirements

This course includes a 2 and a half day laboratory workshop, which is an essential part of this course. This may require travel to a provider outside your region which you will be responsible for covering the cost of. Your lecturer/tutor will confirm the specific dates during the first week of the course.

Computer and internet requirements

This course is delivered online, so you will access your course material and submit assessments online. Our online courses may include reading, videos, quizzes or activities, and you may need to download content.

For online learning you need:

• Access to a laptop or desktop computer
• Reliable internet and data plan.  

If you are unsure if your current computer, Windows or internet access will allow you to study online, please contact us before applying to enrol. 

Find out more about online learning 

How to enrol

Before enrolling in this course you need to:

• choose the qualification you will study the course under
• check the order that courses in the qualification should be studied in the Qualification Structure table. This is in the Choose courses and apply tab on the qualification page.