Thermofluid Engineering - 2019 entry

Almost all technology that surrounds us involves processes of fluid flow and heat transfer. In many engineering applications as well as in nature, thermofluid phenomena are the main processes by which systems operate. In a car, for instance, this includes the airflow around the vehicle and through the engine, combustion processes in the engine and heat exchange in the radiator, and also climatic control in the passenger compartment. These processes also are important in civil engineering, for example in designing passive climate control systems for buildings, or sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS).

This module introduces the theory and practice of engineering fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer; progressing you to the next level of studying fluid flow and energy. You will explore aspects such as flow in pipes and channels, as well as examining turbines and the mathematical modelling of fluid dynamics in general. Also, you will be introduced to fundamentals of thermodynamics and heat transfer and explore their application in analysing steam operated power plants and design of heat exchangers. Coursework covers tasks such as designing a pump-type network to propel water to a reservoir, enabling you to practise the theory explored on the flow of water and challenging you to design a computational model using Excel. The coursework also includes calculation of work, power and heat transfer using thermodynamic charts and tables.


Prerequisite module: ECM1102 or equivalent

By the end of this course, you will have the skills to analyse engineering systems involving internal and external flows, use tables and charts of fluid dynamic, thermodynamic and physical properties, perform basic calculations for thermodynamic operations, and you will be confident in designing simple heat transfer equipment and water pump technology. This is a pre-requisite for the 3rd year modules: "Thermofluids and Energy Conversion" and "Computational Engineering".
 

This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3).

This module contrinutes to learning outcomes: SM2p, SM3p, SM2m-SM6m, EA1p, EA1m, EA4p, EA4m, D4p, D4m, G3p, G3m, G4p, G4m

A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online: http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/subjects/engineering/accreditation/

The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at http://www.engc.org.uk/

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM2p, SM3p, SM2m – SM6m, EA1p, EA1m, D4p, D4m

1 classify system types using dimenisonless numbers (e.g. Reynolds and Froude numbers), and derive dimensionless coefficients analytically;
2 apply conservation equations and the fundamental laws of thermodynamics to solve problems;
3 analyse engineering systems involving internal and external flows using mathematical and experimental techniques;
4 use tables and charts of fluid dynamic, thermodynamic and physical properties;
5 execute basic calculations on power requirements, exit conditions etc for thermodynamic operations;
6 examine basic thermodynamic cycles;
7 understand the basic mechanisms of heat transfer;
8 analyse and calculate heat transfer in simple steady state applications;
9 design simple heat transfer equipment involving flowing heat transfer media;
10 utilise the basic vocabulary of thermal engineering and fluid flow correctly.

 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM5m, EA1p, EA1m, EA4p, EA4m

11 carry out and report experiments on engineering systems;
12 conduct formal calculations on engineering systems with accuracy;
13 locate and accurately use data for engineering calculations.

 

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge: G3p, G3m, G4p, G4m

14 demonstrate enhanced problem solving ability;
15 exemplify strong report writing skills;
16 prove advanced ability to carry out private study;
17 exhibit improved group working skills.

- revision of basics; viscosity, measurement of velocity and pressure, laminar, transitional and turbulent flow, Reynolds' experiment;
 

- conservation equations and their application to simple problems in external and internal flow;

- dimensionless groups; derivation and use, in particular Reynolds and Froude numbers;
 

- Bernoulli's equation for external flow, head equation for internal flow, concept of head loss, Darcy-Weisbach equation, Moody diagram and minor losses; 

- free surface flows; open channel flow, basics of weirs and flumes; 

- streamlines, streaklines and pathlines, potential flow, solution using potential and stream functions, concept of boundary layers for external flows; 

- introduction to and laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic functions, behaviour of perfect gases, phase behaviour of real substances, thermodynamic charts and tables, application to heat exchangers, throttling processes, compressors, Carnot, Rankine cycles; 

- heat transfer, basic mechanisms – especially conduction, convection, heat exchangers, heat transfer coefficients, heating and cooling problems, coupled conduction/convection problems, natural convection, heat transfer with phase change, introduction to radiative heat transfer.

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.


If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module: