Apr 23, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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MEC 3140 - Thermodynamics II

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This is a continuation of thermodynamic concepts, with emphasis on applications of thermodynamic principles to typical energy systems. Topics include analysis of advanced power and refrigeration cycles, one-dimensional compressible flow, gas mixtures, psychrometrics, combustion reactions, and renewable energy technologies. Students will also complete projects involving the design of energy conversion systems. (prereq: MEC 2110 ) (quarter system prereq: ME 2980)
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Explain the characteristics and differences among reciprocating engine cycles
  • Calculate reciprocating engine performance parameters
  • Evaluate the performance Rankine and Brayton cycles, with their modifications
  • Design power and refrigeration cycles to meet design specifications
  • Calculate thermodynamic properties of ideal gas mixtures
  • Utilize the psychrometric chart to evaluate various psychrometric properties
  • Perform mass and energy balances on various air-conditioning processes
  • Balance combustion reactions involving hydrocarbon fuels
  • Perform open and closed system energy balances on combustion processes
  • Calculate the adiabatic flame temperature for combustion processes
  • Assess the impact of combustion parameters on pollutant emissions and control
  • Define and evaluate various properties associated with compressible flow such as stagnation properties, speed of sound, and Mach number
  • Explain how disturbances are propagated through compressible media and distinguish between subsonic and supersonic flows
  • Evaluate the variation of kinematic and thermodynamic properties in flows through converging and converging-diverging nozzles
  • Explain the phenomena of choked flow and its implications
  • Compute the kinematic and thermodynamic property changes across a normal shock
  • Explain the current status and relative importance of different forms of renewable energy systems including solar, wind, and geothermal
  • Evaluate the performance of solar, wind and geothermal energy applications
  • Complete open-ended problems focusing on the design of energy conversion systems

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Thermodynamics I

Course Topics
  • Reciprocating engines: air-standard assumptions, engine terminology, Otto, diesel, and dual cycles
  • Brayton cycle: ideal, non-ideal, reheat, regeneration, and intercooling
  • Rankine cycle: ideal, non-ideal, reheat, regenerative
  • Cogeneration and combined gas-vapor power cycles
  • Refrigeration cycle: cascade, multistage, and gas refrigeration cycles, refrigerant selection
  • Gas mixtures: mass and mole fractions, properties
  • Psychrometrics: relative humidity, dew-point temperature, wet-bulb temperature, psychrometric chart, air conditioning processes
  • Chemical reactions: balancing combustion reaction, air-fuel ratio, equivalence ratio, enthalpy of formation, enthalpy of combustion, heating values, first-law analysis of reacting systems, adiabatic flame temperature
  • Compressible flow: stagnation properties, speed of sound and Mach number, isentropic flow through nozzles, normal shocks
  • Renewable energy systems: solar, wind, and geothermal energy systems

Coordinator
Dr. Valerie Troutman



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