Thermal Engineering

DESCRIPTION
This subject belongs to the module "Specific Technologies" of the degree of Mechanical Engineering and it develops the specific competence " Applied knowledge of thermal engineering”.

The professionals in this field can develop projects related to:

* The analysis and selection of the heat transfer devices which are suitable for different industrial applications, such as radiators, condensers, recovers, etc.

* The design and fabrication of heat machines or its components, such as combustion engines, gas turbines, water vapor turbines, refrigerators, heat pumps, etc.

For this reason, in this subject calculation methods for heat exchangers, such as LMTD and NTU methods, are explained in the first place. Then different models for the thermodynamic analysis of gas and vapor heat machines are introduced, explaining some of their different constructive aspects. The final part of the subject studies the refrigeration cycles that allow the thermal analysis of the cold generating machines.

 

SUBJECT COMPETENCIES 

The specific competences developed in this subject are the following:

CE1: To dimension from a thermal point of view heat exchangers for industrial applications such as boilers, condensers, regenerators, radiators, etc.

CE2: To analyze power cycles for applications related to industrial engineering: alternative internal combustion engines, gas and steam turbines, etc.

In addition, according to the map of the generic competences of the degree, in this subject the following generic competence is developed:

CG02: VERBAL COMMUNICATION. To express with clarity and opportunity ideas, knowledge and feelings through the oral communication, adapting to the characteristics of the situation and the audience to achieve their understanding and adhesion.

Level of skill 2: To take the floor in a group with ease; to transmit conviction and security and to adapt the discourse to the formal requirements required.

 

CONTENTS

UNIT 1: HEAT CONDUCTION IN A STEADY STATE.

Conduction of heat in a steady state in flat walls. Generalized networks of thermal resistance. Conduction of heat in cylinders. Critical isolation radius. Heat transfer from finned surfaces.

UNIT 2: FUNDAMENTALS OF CONVECTION.

Natural and forced convection. Speed ​​limit layer and thermal limit layer. Typical correlations in engineering applications.

UNIT 3: HEAT EXCHANGERS.

Types of heat exchangers. The overall heat transfer coefficient. Analysis of heat exchangers. Method of the logarithmic mean temperature difference or LMTD. Efficiency method or NTU. Selection of heat exchangers. Laboratory practices.

UNIT 4: CYCLES OF ALTERNATIVE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Otto cycle as the ideal cycle for ignition engines. Diesel cycle as ideal cycle for compression ignition engines. Dual cycle. Laboratory practices.

UNIT 5: GAS TURBINE CYCLES.

Brayton cycle as ideal cycle for gas turbines. Brayton cycle variations: reheating, intercooling and regeneration.

UNIT 6: STEAM AND COMBINED POWER AND COGENERATION CYCLES.

Rankine cycle as ideal cycle for steam power cycles. Deviation of the real steam cycles with respect to the idealized ones. How to increase the efficiency of the Rankine cycle. Rankine cycle with reheating. Regenerative Rankine cycle. Combined cycles. Cogeneration.

 

METHODOLOGY
Following the Learning Model of Deusto University, the beginning of each new unit will be devoted to introduce both the terminology and the main elements and concepts in order to establish the context of the subject. This introduction will specially highlight the relation of the unit with the academic and professional profile of the degree. Next, the theoretical concepts will be explained and developed. These concepts will allow the resolution of practical problems. In some cases, experiments will be carried out in the laboratory to compare the experimental results with the theoretical concepts lectured. Finally, each unit will be evaluated in accordance to the guidelines described in the Evaluation section.

Besides, the students will study during their personal working time both theoretical and practical exercises. A reference book and some complementary bibliography will be recommended. At the same time, they will be able to access in the "Alud" platform to complementary material uploaded by the lecturer in order to develop the different assignments that will be proposed.

In order to help the student in the learning process, the lecturer will offer desk office hours during the semester to solve doubts that can arise during their personal study.

To develop the generic competence, the students will have to read a book about the different methodologies for oral presentations.

 

ASSESSMENT
The activities to be evaluated are of two types: continuous assessment activities (CA) and final evaluation activities (FE).

Continuous assessment activities developed by the student during the semester (CA):

* A computer-aided individual work of heat transfer which is 10% of the total mark.

* A mid-term evaluation exam, that will be 30% of the student final mark.

* Some group exercises which will be 5% of the total mark.

* An oral group presentation which will be 10% of the total mark.

 

Final Evaluation activity (FE):

* A final individual exam. It will consist on the resolution of a series of exercise in a predefine amount of time. It will represent 45 % of the final mark of the student.

Adding all the percentages assigned to the different activities 100% of the student mark is reached. The student will perform all these activities and they will receive both a formative and an additive evaluation.