Thermodynamics

DESCRIPTION
Thermodynamics is a common subject for the industrial engineering field studies. The professionals in this field, depending on their area of specialization, can develop projects related with the design fabrication, installation and regulation of thermal devices such as engines, turbines, refrigerators, heat exchangers, ovens, heaters, etc.

For that reason, in this subject the fundamental principles of Thermodynamics are studied. Thermodynamics is the discipline were the afore mentioned industrial applications are based on. The course starts with an introduction to heat transfer that presents the heat transfer mechanisms: conduction, convection and radiation. Later, thermal machines are introduced with special focus on important concepts such as thermal efficiency and coefficient of performance according to the second principle of Thermodynamics. Finally, entropy is defined and then used to analyze the efficiency of thermal processes.

PRE-REQUISITES
In order to understand this course the student should have acquired the competences related to calculus, physics and chemistry.

CONTENTS

UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION AND BASIC CONCEPTS.

Properties of a system. Temperature and zero law of thermodynamics. Definition of pressure. Devices to measure the pressure.

UNIT 2: GENERAL ANALYSIS OF ENERGY.

Forms of energy. Heat and work. First Law of Thermodynamics. Efficiency of mechanical and electrical devices.

UNIT 3: INTRODUCTION TO HEAT TRANSFER.

Mechanisms of heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation. Simultaneous mechanisms of heat transfer.

UNIT 4: PROPERTIES OF PURE SUBSTANCES.

Phases of a pure substance. Properties diagrams for phase change processes. Property tables. Equations of state. Perfect and real gases. Use of a computer program to determine the properties.

UNIT 5: ENERGETIC ANALYSIS OF CLOSED SYSTEMS.

Boundary work. Energy balance. Internal energy and enthalpy. Specific heats of ideal, solid and liquid gases.

UNIT 6: MASS ANALYSIS AND ENERGY OF CONTROL VOLUMES.

Conservation of the mass. Flow energy. Energy analysis in steady flow systems. Analysis of engineering devices: nozzles and diffusers, turbines and compressors, throttling valves, mixing chambers, heat exchangers, flow in pipes, filling and emptying of tanks.

UNIT 7: THE SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS.

Thermal engines. Thermal efficiency. Kelvin-Planck statement. Refrigerators and heat pumps. COP performance coefficient. Clausius statement. The Carnot cycle. Irreversibilities. The Carnot refrigerator and the heat pump.

UNIT 8: ENTROPY.

Definitions. Change of entropy in pure substances. Property diagrams that involve entropy. Isentropic efficiency of steady flow devices. Entropy balance.

 

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 stablish 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 documentation about technical writing. Later they will apply it to the writing of laboratory reports and a team work about thermal machines.

 

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):

- Laboratory experiments corresponding 10 % of the final mark.

- A mid-term evaluation exercise will represent 50% of the student final mark.

- A written report about thermal machines (in groups) will represent 10% of the final mark.

 

Final Evaluation activity (FE):

- A final individual exam will correspond to the specific competence CE2. It will consist on the resolution of a series of exercise in a predefine amount of time. It will represent 30 % of the final mark of the student.