Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics - 2021 entry

Thermodynamics is concerned with heat and its relationship with energy and work, such as in engines. Fluid mechanics, meanwhile, is the study of fluids and forces on them. Aimed at students of engineering subjects, this course covers these two areas in parallel. The fluid mechanics component of the module covers the basics of stationary and moving fluids, and covers the three main relationships of continuity, energy (Bernoulli’s) and momentum.The thermodynamics component outlines the first two laws and how they relate to open and closed systems.
 

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the fundamental principles of engineering thermodynamics and of fluid mechanics.The aims are as follows:

- appreciate the relevance of the laws of thermodynamics to your discipline;
- understand the effects of hydrostatic forces;
- appreciate the forms of energy transferred by fluid flows.

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

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 comprehend the basic principles of engineering thermodynamics and fluid mechanics;
2 apply the above principles in order to perform calculations and solve problems relating to theory;
3 apply theory of fluids and thermodynamics to specific examples, using hand calculations and engineering software (MathCAD).
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4 use mathematical analysis to solve engineering problems;
5 solve engineering problems using mathematical software.
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:
6  understand how to apply fundamental principles to practical applications. Using software packages to analyse problems and present reports.

Thermodynamics:

 - gas laws, thermodynamic concepts, system, properties, units, state, process, cycle, work, heat, reversibility;

- non flow/closed systems, calculation of work for a process, expansion and compression strokes; 

- work during a thermodynamic cycle, first law of thermodynamics, non-flow energy equation

- specific heat capacities;

- non-flow processes, constant pressure/volume, polytropic process, adiabatic process, isothermal process;

- formation of steam, T-h diagram, reading of steam tables, dryness fraction and properties of wet vapours;

- flow processes, steady flow energy equation;

- application of the steady flow energy equation, constant pressure, adiabatic with work, adiabatic without work, isentropic process;

- heat engines, 2nd law of thermodynamics, Carnot analogy and Carnot cycle, thermal efficiency, principal of the reversible heat engine, refrigeration;

- Adiabatic efficiency, Rankin Cycle.

 
Fluid Mechanics:

- definition of fluids, common units, Pascal's principal, hydrostatic equation;

- manometry;

- forces on submerged surfaces;

- flow regimes (steady/unsteady), (uniform/non-uniform), streamlines and streamtubes, flow rates, continuity;

- Bernoulli's equation, applications of Bernoulli's equation (i):- flow measurement, pitot tubes;

- applications of Bernoulli's equation (ii):- venturi meters, orifice plates, coefficient's of discharge and contraction;

- momentum equation, applications of momentum equation, jet hitting plane/incline, Pelton wheel, forces in pipes.
 

If a student is referred or deferred, the failed / non-completed component(s) will be re-assessed at the same weighting as the original assessment.

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: