Course overview
This course will teach students how energy is converted to useful forms and managed in a sustainable fashion. Energy sources, conversion and utilisation; environmental and economic issues; Review of basic thermodynamic concepts; Applications of the first law of Thermodynamics to non-flow and flow processes; Introduction to the second law of thermodynamics, entropy, heat engines and refrigeration; Thermodynamic cycles; Principles of thermal energy conversion in boilers, internal combustion engines and gas turbines; Energy recovery methods; Energy management in industry, transport and buildings; Energy audits; Environmental and economic evaluation.
Course learning outcomes
- Apply the first law of thermodynamics to open and closed thermal systems and use the second law to evaluate the energy conversion efficiencies of ideal and real cycles. (PO1) (EA 1.1, 1.3)
- Analyse thermodynamic cycles for heat engines and refrigeration systems and analyse combustion processes for conventional and alternative fuels. (PO1, 4) (EA 1.1, 1.3. 2.1, 2.2)
- Assess the environmental impact of exhaust emission and evaluate methods for their reduction. (PO1) (EA 1.2, 1.3)
- Select appropriate energy recovery methods for thermal energy systems. (PO1) (EA 1.2, 1.3)
- Identify energy conservation potential in building, transport and industrial sectors. (PO 1, 4, 7) (EA 1.3, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2)