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ME
488
Thermal Systems Design
systems.
Prerequisites:
0630421
0630488
(3-0-3)

Text Book:

B.K. Hodge and R.P. Taylor, Analysis and Design of Energy Systems, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall, 1999.

References:

L.C. Burmeister, Elements of Thermal-Fluid System Design, Prentice Hall, 1998.

W.S. Janna, Design of Fluid Thermal Systems, 3rd Edition, PWS Publishing Company, 2010.

W.F. Stoecker, Design of Thermal Systems, Third Edition, McGraw-Hill, 1989.

Coordinator:

Thermal Science TAG

Prerequisites by Topics:

  1. First and second laws of thermodynamics.
  2. Thermodynamic cycles and gas-vapor mixture properties.
  3. Fundamentals of heat transfer and fluid mechanics.
  4. Engineering economy.
  5. Ability to use the computer.

Obectives[^1]:

  1. To teach students how to apply the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer in the design of various thermal systems and their components (1,3,5).
  2. To teach students how to simulate (model) the performance of thermal systems and their components (1,3,5,11).
  3. To teach students the fundamentals of control systems associated with the thermal systems components (1,3).
  4. To teach students how to perform an uncertainty analysis in the design of thermal systems (1,3,5).
  5. To teach students how to optimize the design of thermal systems (1,3,5).

Topics

  1. Introduction to thermal systems design (1 hour)
  2. Review of engineering economy (2 hours)
  3. Piping systems (6 hours)
  4. Heat exchangers (6 hours)
  5. Prime movers (7 hours)
  6. Thermal systems simulation (modeling) (5 hours)
  7. Thermal systems/components controls (4 hours)
  8. Estimating uncertainty in thermal systems analysis (6 hours)
  9. Optimization applied to thermal systems (5 hours)

Exams (3 hours)

Evaluation:

  1. Quizzes
  2. Homework
  3. Exams
  4. Computer assignments
  5. Projects

Learning Outcomes:

Objective 1

1.1 Students will be able to apply the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer to analyze and design thermal systems and their components.

1.2 Students will be able to understand the various components used in piping systems and to select the appropriate components.

1.3 Students will be able to apply the energy equation in piping systems, estimate the pressure/head losses, and heat transfer in piping systems.

1.4 Students will develop a thorough understanding of the utilization and limitations of the LMTD and the ε--NTU methods for heat exchanger design.

1.5 Students will be able to analyze heat exchanger performance taking losses into account, select heat exchangers from commercial sources and design heat exchanger geometry for special applications.

1.6 Students will be able to understand the various types of prime movers (pumps, fans, and compressors etc...) and to select the appropriate type for a given application.

1.7 Students will be able to properly interpret the performance data provided for prime movers.

Objective 2

2.1 Students will be able to parametrically represent the performance data for the thermal system components.

2.2 Students will be able to formulate and solve system equations using appropriate simulation techniques for steady state and transient conditions.

2.3 Students should be able to utilize high-level computer simulation softwares in the analysis and design of thermal systems and their components.

Objective 3

  1. Students will be able to understand simple control concepts including PID controllers.

Objective 4

4.1 Students will be able to apply uncertainty analysis procedure on series-piping design, piping-network design, and heat exchanger analysis.

Objective 5

5.1 Students will be able to optimize the design of a thermal system using any of several suitable techniques.

5.2 Students will be able to incorporate the concepts of engineering economy in the design of thermal systems.

Course Classification

Student Outcomes Level Relevant Activities
H, M, L
1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics. H Equations of heat transfer and solution. Optimization techniques. Modeling of thermal systems. Optimization problems.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. H Design of various thermal systems.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

[^1]: Numbers in parenthesis refer to the student outcomes.