This online course will help you to develop a sound understanding in the theory and application of thermodynamics, especially as related to heat engines, process and environment heating/cooling.
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Level6
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Credits15
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Cost$801 NZ Domestic
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EFTS0.125
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Delivery typeOnline only
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Teaching weeks 16 weeks
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Workload Approximately 10 hours per week
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Exam dates2025 OfferingsJul - 21 Oct 2025
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Prerequisites
If you need to discuss prerequisites for this course
contact us
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.
Examination information
Assessments for this course include an examination that you need to attend in-person.
Learn more
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
A 2 1/2 day Laboratory is a requirement for this course.
The venue for these Laboratories may be either Christchurch, Wellington or Hamilton.
For courses starting in February, laboratories will be held during the term 1 school holidays,
For courses starting in June, laboratories will be during the term 3 school holidays.
Your lecturer/tutor will confirm the actual dates within the first week of the course, however you can click here for school holiday dates to give you a guideline for planning.
Computer and internet requirements
To complete this course you will need access to a laptop or desktop computer, reliable broadband internet connection and a data plan able to support online learning such as streaming of videos (including YouTube), downloading content, and writing and submitting online assessments. If you are unsure if your current computer or internet access allows you to complete your online learning with us, please contact us before applying to enrol.
Learn more about our online learning and study tools.
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.
Work towards
You can do this course as part of these qualifications:
Certificate of Proficiency
Diploma
Course availability over the next 12 months
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2025
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