AE 2121 - Fundamentals of Thermodynamics

4 lecture hours 0 lab hours 4 credits

Course Description
This course provides Architectural Engineering and Construction Management students with the necessary fundamentals of thermodynamics as they relate to building thermal systems and applications. Topics cover a range of principles from basic energy and mass balances to refrigeration cycles and heat exchangers. (prereq: MA 137, PH 2011)

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Determine the thermodynamic properties of pure substances using the property tables, and for ideal gases, liquids, and solids using property relationships
Apply the first law of thermodynamics to analyze open and closed systems typically encountered in buildings and HVAC systems
Apply the second law of thermodynamics to calculate actual and reversible thermal efficiencies, COPs, and power requirements of systems operating on thermodynamic cycles
Apply the second law of thermodynamics to analyze isentropic and non-isentropic processes
Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics to analyze the vapor compression (VC) refrigeration cycle and the individual processes that comprise the cycle
Understand how heat exchangers work (heating and cooling coils); their energy and mass balances, and their effectiveness

Prerequisites by Topic

Calculus II: Basic integration, integration of areas

Course Topics

Basic concepts
Properties of pure substances
Energy transfer by heat and work
1st Law of Thermodynamics
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
Entropy
Refrigeration cycles
Heat exchangers
General review/problem-solving sessions

Laboratory Topics

1 lab hour to conduct necessary measurements on a heat exchanger and calculate its effectiveness

Coordinator
Dr. Deborah Jackman

Announcement

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Milwaukee School of Engineering

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AE 2121 - Fundamentals of Thermodynamics