FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND AERONAUTICAL
ENGINEERING
2015 STUDY GUIDE
THERMODYNAMICS MTX221
Revised by:
Dr. J.Dirker and Dr. L. Martins
Date of last revision:
6 July 2015
Copyright reserved
Hierdie studiehandleiding is ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar.
This study guide is also available in Afrikaans.
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ORGANISATIONAL COMPONENT
Page
1. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY GUIDE ......................................................................... 3
2. GENERAL PREMISE AND EDUCATIONAL APPROACH ........................................ 3
3. LECTURERS, VENUES AND CONSULTING HOURS ............................................. 4
4. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE LECTURERS ........................................................ 4
5. WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM YOU AS STUDENT ................................................... 5
6. STUDY MATERIAL AND PURCHASES .................................................................. 5
7. PRINTING ERRORS IN THE TEXTBOOK................................................................ 6
8. LEARNING ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................... 6
9. HANDING IN OF ASSIGNMENTS AND PRACTICAL REPORTS ............................ 7
10. RULES OF ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................... 7
11. GENERAL ............................................................................................................... 8
STUDY COMPONENT
12. MODULE OBJECTIVES, ARTICULATION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES ............ 8
13. MODULE STRUCTURE .......................................................................................... 9
14. FORMULA PAGE AND TABLE BOOKLET ............................................................. 10
15.1 STUDY THEME 1: Introduction to thermodynamics ............................................ 11
15.2 STUDY THEME 2: Definitions and basic concepts .............................................. 11
15.3 STUDY THEME 3: Properties of pure substances ............................................... 12
15.4 STUDY THEME 4: Work and Heat ....................................................................... 13
15.5 STUDY THEME 5: The first law of thermodynamics ............................................ 14
15.6 STUDY THEME 6: The second law of thermodynamics ...................................... 15
15.7 STUDY THEME 7: Entropy .................................................................................. 16
15.8 STUDY THEME 8: Power cycles ......................................................................... 17
2
ORGANISATIONAL COMPONENT
This study guide is a crucial part of the general study guide of the Department. In the
study guide of the Department, information is given on the mission and vision of the
department, general administration and regulations (professionalism and integrity,
course related information and formal communication, workshop use and safety,
plagiarism, class representative duties, sick test and sick exam guidelines, vacation
work, appeal process and adjustment of marks, university regulations, frequently asked
questions), ECSA outcomes and ECSA exit level outcomes, ECSA knowledge area,
CDIO, new curriculum and assessment of cognitive levels. It is expected that you are
familiar with the content of the Departmental Study Guide. It is available in English
and Afrikaans on the Department’s website (www.me.up.ac.za) or:
English:
http://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/120/Noticeboard/Study%20Guides/departmentalstudyguide_eng_2015.zp40263.pdf
Afrikaans
http://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/120/Noticeboard/Study%20Guides/departementele_studiegids_afr_2015.zp40261.pdf
Take note of the specific instructions in the above study guide on:

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
Safety
Plagiarism
What to do if you were sick (very important)?
Appeal process on the adjustment of marks
1.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY GUIDE
This study guide should not be seen simply as a document that is supplied to you on
commencement of lectures at the beginning of a semester. It is in fact an extremely
important document that you should use like a road map throughout the semester in
order to complete this course successfully.
The document consists of two parts. In the first part, introductory and organizational
information is given, for example who the lecturer is, what to expect from the lecturer
and what is expected from you. The second part contains very important study
component information.
2.
GENERAL PREMISE AND EDUCATIONAL APPROACH
The general objective with this module is to emphasize understanding rather than
memorising, in order to visualize engineering solutions and to stimulate creative
thinking in the field of engineering thermodynamics. A problem-driven approach to
learning is followed. Student-centred and co-operative learning and teaching methods
are applied during lectures, tutorial classes and practical sessions, in order to develop
the above-mentioned skills optimally, as well as to stimulate the development of
communication skills, interpersonal skills and group dynamics.
Thermodynamics is a critical component of not only mechanical engineering but also of
various other disciplines. In the study of this module skills are developed that will enable
the learner to understand and apply the basics and principles of thermodynamics. These
fundamentals will be used to solve a vast majority of engineering problems such as
power and cooling cycles and problems concerned with the conservation of energy.
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3.
LECTURERS, VENUES AND CONSULTING HOURS
Name
Office
Telephone number and/or
email address
Tel: 012 420 2465 (office)
jaco.dirker@up.ac.za
Lecturer (Afrikaans Medium)
and Module Coordinator
Dr. Jaco Dirker
ENG III 6-92
Lecturer (English Medium)
Dr. Lauber Martins
ENG III 6-82
Tel: 012 420 4373 (office)
lauber.martins@up.ac.za
Teaching Assistants
Abolarin, Sogo
Cramer, Louis
Jooste, Francois
Joubert, Johannes
Joubert, Martin
Joubert, Michael
Kohlmeyer, Berno
Nyoka, Wandile
Odido, Daniel
Otterman, Tanja
Pallent, Matthew
Poulain, Pierre
Van den Heuvel, Robyn
ENG III 6-99
ENG III, CDIO Lab
ENG III, CDIO Lab
ENG III, CDIO Lab
ENG III, CDIO Lab
ENG III, CDIO Lab
ENG III, CDIO Lab
ENG III, CDIO Lab
ENG III, CDIO Lab
ENG III 6-71
ENG III, CDIO Lab
ENG III 6-65
ENG III 6-71
sogoabolarin@gmail.com
louis_cramer@yahoo.co.uk
francois@verticalhorison.co.za
jcj.sqr@gmail.com
martin.joubert@axxess.co.za
michaeljoubert@rocketmail.com
berno.kohlmeyer@gmail.com
wandilenyoka@yahoo.com
odido@hotmail.com
tanjao@mweb.co.za
matthew.pallent@gmail.com
pierrepoulain37@gmail.com
robzvdh@gmail.com
Lecture venues
Please refer to the module time table for lecture halls and times.
Consulting hours
Please refer to the times on each lecturer’s office door. Preliminary consultation times
will be announced after the commencement of the semester.
These consulting times are only valid during lecturing weeks. It will be appreciate if you
could keep to these consultation times.
Other appointments should please be made via email. When you request an
appointment with a lecturer via email, please supply us with 3 possible times.
4.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE LECTURERS
The lecturers undertake to:
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share with you their knowledge and experience and, in doing so, prepare you for
practice;
attempt to establish a passion for the subject within you and aid your academic
development;
hand out test results as soon as possible;
be well-prepared for formal lectures;
do everything in their ability to explain the work to you as well as possible and to
make it as understandable as possible;
treat you in a professional manner;
be fair and courteous towards you at all times;
never humiliate you for asking a question during lectures (even if you and/or your
class-mates should regard it as a 'stupid' question);
do everything in their power to help you pass the course.
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5.
WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM YOU AS STUDENT
The following is expected from you:

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6.
show loyalty and integrity;
be diligent and enthusiastic in your work;
behave in a disciplined manner in class;
discuss any problems you may experience with regard to the subject with the
lecturers as soon as possible (please refer to the consultation times section)
ask questions freely during lectures;
act professionally.
STUDY MATERIAL AND PURCHASES
Prescribed textbook:
The prescribed book will be used extensively in the second and third year of particularly
the mechanical engineering programme and it is essential that each student obtains a
copy:

Borgnakke, Sonntag, 2013. Fundamentals of thermodynamics. SI version, 8th
edition. Wiley: New York. ISBN: 978-1-118-32177-5
Thermodynamic tables:
 Each student should download the official thermodynamics table-set from Click-UP,
print it our (double sided) and ring bind it. THE USE OF TABLET-COMPUTERS
FOR CONSULTING THE TABLES IS NOT RECOMMENDED. By using the
hardcopy format, you can familiarise yourself with the test- and exam conditions.
Class test material:
 For class tests each student should supply his/her own single-sheet A4 writing
paper.
7.

PRINTING ERRORS IN THE TEXTBOOK
No information received yet.
8.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
The learning activities consist of contact time/lecture time, learning time, tutor classes,
and assignment(s).
8.1
Contact time and learning hours
Number of lectures per week: 4
Number of tutor classes per week: 1 session (3 hours)
This module carries a weight of 16 credits, indicating that on average a student should
spend some 160 hours to master the required skills (including preparation time for tests
and examinations). This means that you will need to continuously spend 11 to 12 hours
a week on this module. The average contact time is approximately 5 to 7 hours per
week, meaning that another 4 to 7 hours per week of self-study time should be devoted
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to the module. If the students feel that they need additional tutor classes to understand
the principles they are encouraged to contact the lecturer.
8.2
Contact Sessions
Lectures are presented in a style of co-operative and student-centred learning. A brief
clarification and explanation of the subject matter and concepts are given during the
lectures. Example problems will be worked out in detail in class. Students are advised
to participate actively in discussions and to ask questions. All the relevant study material
is adequately referenced and is available in the textbook and the study guide. Please
also refer to Click-UP for a schedule of the sessions and lecture slides which are
normally made available prior to each lecture.
8.3
Assignments
One individual assignment will be supplied to you. (No group work). Marks will be
assigned and used to determine the semester marks.
8.4
Tutorial Sessions and Class Tests
Recommended problems will be supplied to you on Click-UP for each study theme. The
final answers will be supplied on Click-UP also, but not the full memorandum. It is
expected of you to attempt these problems before the tutorial session starts. Problems
can be discussed with the lecturer or teaching assistant or class members in the tutorial
venue.
During normal conditions, where permitted, a class test will be written at the end of the
weekly tutorial session. The class test will be on the work done with you during the
preceding lectures. Class test scopes will be made known to you. Please refer to the
session schedules posted on Click-UP. Memoranda of the class test will be published on
Click-UP, and where possible, will be discussed with you in the following tutorial session.
It is expected of you to prepare for these class test and tutorial classes.
Small surprise class test could also be written during some lecture sessions to test the
content of that particular lecture or the lecture prior. These class tests can be used to
improve your tutorial class test average and is meant to reward those that attend class
regularly.
8.5 Laboratory Practicals
Three practicals are accommodated in this module:
Practical A: Saturation pressure and temperature
Practical B: Temperature measurement and calibration
Practical C: Pressure measurement and calibration
It is required from each student to attend one practical. The following process will be
followed during organising of the practical schedules:
1. The practical (A, B, or C) which you have to attend will be allocated to you.
2. Book your practical on the booking schedules (probably on Click-UP) according to
the available times when the practical will be presented. Each student may only
book one time-slot.
3. Meet the teaching assistant at the laboratory according to your booking.
6
4. After completion of the practical each student is to individually complete and
submit a practical report. The relevant teaching assistant (that led your practical
session) will make an arrangement in this regard.
Practical and safety arrangement regarding the practicals:
 Practicals are presented in the wind tunnel laboratory on the basement level of
the heavy machines laboratory building (behind engineering building II).
 Students are required to wear closed shoes when they enter the laboratory (NO
sandals)
 Clothing should be tucked in to reduce the risk of becoming entangled on
equipment in the laboratory.
 Follow instructions given by the teaching assistant.
 Unauthorised handling or adjusting of any piece of equipment or set-up in the
laboratory is prohibited.
9.
HANDING IN OF ASSIGNMENTS AND PRACTICAL REPORTS
All assignments should be submitted before or on the deadline. Ten percent will be
deducted for each day (or part thereof, starting with one minute) you submit late. Thus,
if your mark is 73% for an assignment, and you submit two days late, you will receive
53%.
10.
RULES OF ASSESSMENT
Also see the examination regulations in the yearbooks of the Faculty of Engineering, the
Built Environment and Information Technology (Part 1: Engineering or Part 2: Built
Environment and Information Technology).
Examination entrance:
In addition to the general University regulation and the assessment schedule, your
attention is placed on the fact that in order to receive examination entrance for this
module you are required to:
 Attend the laboratory practical
 Obtain a mark of at least 50% for the practical report.
Pass requirements: In order to pass the module a student must obtain a final mark of
at least 50%.
Calculation of the final mark: The final mark is calculated as follows:
Semester mark:
50%
Examination mark:
50% (The duration of the final examination is three hours.)
Calculation of the semester mark.
The semester mark is compiled as follows:
Semester tests:
60%
Class tests:
20%
Assignments:
10%
Laboratory Practicals:
10%
Semester tests. Two tests of 90 minutes each will be written during the scheduled test
weeks of the School of Engineering. Dates, times and venues will be announced as
soon as the timetables become available.
7
Absence from tests/exams
Refer to the study guide of the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering.
11.
GENERAL
Copying of work
All work i.e. assignments and tests must be the student’s own. This aspect applies
especially to assignments. Under no circumstance is a student allowed to copy the
work of somebody else. Students who make themselves guilty of academic
dishonesty will be dealt with according to the applicable disciplinary procedure, and may
in the worst cases result in expulsion.
Regulations, behaviour, grievances and academic dishonesty
All students are required to adhere to the policies and rules of the University of Pretoria
and the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology in
terms of conduct in class, grievance procedures, and academic dishonesty and/or any
other related issue not stipulated.
Calculator specifications
Only silent pocket calculators operating with batteries are allowed (no “Laptops”,
“Palms”, “Tablets” etc.). No text may be programmed into the calculator.
Official notices
Official notices will be announced in class and will be put up on Click-UP. This also
includes any possible changes/amendments as provided in this study guide.
STUDY COMPONENT
12.
MODULE OBJECTIVES, ARTICULATION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
12.1 General objectives
As already mentioned in the general objectives the purpose of this course is to
emphasize understanding rather than memorising, in order to stimulate creative
thinking and the development of communication skills between engineers of different
disciplines. In this regard the purpose of this course is to familiarise the student with the
basic principles of classical thermodynamics and to illustrate the application thereof to a
number of practical engineering problems. The student should, after he /she has
completed this course, be able to solve thermodynamic problems by him-/herself.
Thermodynamics is a science that concerns itself with heat (thermos) and work
(dynamics) and is based on the conservation laws of mass, energy and momentum (to
an extent) and the law of increasing entropy. These laws are written in an applicable
format to solve the specific problem at hand.
The applicability of thermodynamics is immense and includes chemical installations,
agricultural processes, cooling cycles, heat pumps, gas turbines, power cycles and
cosmology.
12.2 Prerequisite learning
Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of physics and mathematics.
8
13.
MODULE STRUCTURE
Study theme and
Study units
1. Introduction to thermodynamics
1.1 The definition of thermodynamics
1.2 Practical applications
2. Definitions and basic concepts
2.1 Basic concepts
2.2 Temperature scales
2.3 Problems
3. Properties of pure substances
3.1 Thermodynamic surfaces
3.2 Gases
3.3 Problems
4. Work and heat
4.1 Work
4.2 Heat
4.3 Problems
5. The first law of thermodynamics
5.1 Cycle
5.2 Process
5.3 Energy
5.4 Specific heat capacities
5.5 Control volumes
5.6 Problems
6. The classical second law of
thermodynamics
6.1 Heat engines, coolers and heat pumps
6.2 Clausius and Kelvin-Planck
6.3 The Carnot cycle
6.4 Problems
7. Entropy
7.1 Cycle
7.2 Process
7.3 Entropy
7.4 Control volumes
7.5 Problems
8. Power cycles
8.1 Rankine cycle
8.2 Air-standard Carnot cycle
8.3 Air-standard Otto cycle
8.4 Air-standard diesel cycle
8.5 Stirling and Ericson cycles
8.6 Brayton cycle
8.7 Air-standard cycle for jet propulsion
8.8 Problems
Laboratory Practical
Tests and Examinations
Mode of instruction
Introductory lecture
on thermodynamics,
Self-study
Lectures,
tutor classes,
problems,
self-study
Lectures,
tutor classes,
problems,
self-study
Lectures,
tutor classes and
problems,
self-study
Lectures,
tutor classes
problems
self-study
Learning
hours1
1
Contact sessions
- estimated
1
3
2
2
3
5
2
5
5
4
2
5
5
12
5
10
8
5
7
6
17
Lectures,
tutor classes,
problems,
self-study
4
2
4
3
6
Lectures,
tutor classes,
problems,
self-study
11
5
8
4
16
Lectures,
tutor classes,
problems,
self-study
11
4
7
6
15
Laboratory session
self-study
report
Class tests
Semester tests
Examination
1
1
4
4
3 (2x1.5)
3
164
1
Total
74
1
Note: The notional hours include the contact time, as well as the estimated time allowed for self study, preparation for assignments, test and
exams.
9
14.
FORMULA PAGE AND TABLE BOOKLET
The formula page given below and a table booklet will be supplied in each semester test
and in the examination. You should use it when you solve problems in order to
familiarize yourself with examination conditions. You are also required to print and bind
your own table booklet. The table booklet content can be downloaded from Click-UP.
   f  x fg
Pv  ZRT
H  U  PV
W  PdV
PV n  const.
 u 
Cv  

 T  v
 h 
Cp  

 T  p

W
QH

TdS  dU  PdV
QL / H
W
TdS  dH  VdP
E U 
mV 2
 mgZ
2
dm
  m e   m i  0
dt
 Q   W
mV12
mV22
 mgZ 1  U 2 
 mgZ 2 1W2
1 Q2  U 1 
2
2
Vi2
Ve2
dE



 gZ i ) 
  me (he 
 gZ e )  W
Q   mi (hi 
dt
2
2

Q
T
0
dS δQ
=
+ δS gen
dt
T
Q c .v . 
dS c .v .
= ∑m i si - ∑m e s e + ∑
+ S gen
dt
T
T2  P2 
 
T1  P1 
k 1
k
T2  V1 
 
T1  V2 
10
k 1
P2  V1 
 
P1  V2 
k
15.1 STUDY THEME 1: Introduction to thermodynamics
Study units
 8th Edition: Refer to the Click-UP slides
Outcomes
At the end of this study theme a student should be able to:
 reproduce the definition of thermodynamics
 describe how each of the following systems work:
o simple steam power-cycle
o fuel cell
o vapour-compression cooling cycle
o thermo-electrical cooler
o air separation plant
o gas turbine
o rocket engine;
 state and predict where thermodynamics is applied in practice
 identify the importance of thermodynamics based on the examples above.
Criteria of assessment
At the end of this study theme, a student should be able to:
 compare different examples of thermodynamic systems with each other
 explain and motivate why thermodynamics is important in engineering
 give a qualitative description of thermodynamic systems without being able to do
quantitative problem solving.
15.2 STUDY THEME 2: Definitions and basic concepts
Study units
 8th Edition: Chapter 1, §1.1 - §1.11
Self-study activities
 8th Edition: Chapter 1, §1.12
Recommended problems
 Refer to Click-UP
Outcomes
At the end of this study theme a student should be able to:
 identify and describe the difference between a control mass and control volume
 state the difference between a microscopic and a macroscopic approach
 identify which one of the above-mentioned approaches is taught in this course
 define the terms phase, state and property of a substance
 define the terms intensive and extensive properties
 define, understand and apply the terms thermodynamic equilibrium and quasiequilibrium state
 explain what is meant by a process
 explain what is meant by a cycle
 know and formulate the definitions of the SI units for specific volume, absolute
and gauge pressure
 explain the operation of the manometer and solve similar engineering problems
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
formulate the zeroth law of thermodynamics
know the origin of the absolute temperature scale
Criteria of assessment
At the end of this study theme, a student should:
 be familiar with the “tools” that will be used in following study themes (The tools
are concepts like specific volume, phase change, absolute pressure, and meter
pressure. Problems in following study themes will use these concepts frequently
to solve practical problems.)
 be able to quantitatively and with a realistic accuracy formulate and solve
thermodynamic properties i.e. specific volume, absolute pressure, meter
pressure, temperature, etc.
 be able to apply with judgement the zeroth law of thermodynamics where
practical problems must be solved, especially in the following study themes.
15.3 STUDY THEME 3: Properties of pure substances
Study units
 8th Edition: Chapter 2, §2.1 - §2.9
Self-study activities
 8th Edition: Chapter 2, §2.10 - §2.12
Recommended problems
 Refer to Click-UP
Outcomes
At the end of this study theme a student should be able to:
 define the terms ‘pure substance’ and ‘simply compressible substance’
 understand and explain the concept of phase change under constant pressure
 understand and explain the principle of a vapour curve
 draw the T-v and P-v diagram for a pure substance and explain the diagram
 define the term compressed (undercooled) liquid, saturated liquid, saturated
vapour and superheated vapour
 define the concept of dryness factor (quality)
 calculate liquid and vapour fractions by applying the dryness factor (quality)
 explain what is meant by critical point and the triple phase point of a pure
substance
 explain the terms melting, evaporation, sublimation and show the concepts on a
T-v and P-v diagram
 understand explain the term thermodynamic surfaces
 know when the properties of a pure substance is independent, and be able to
establish whether given properties are sufficient to describe a substance state
fully
 solve thermodynamic problems by using the steam tables
 apply and know the state equation for an ideal gas in order to calculate its
properties
 explain the difference between a universal and a specific gas constant and be
able to use it with the state equation
 identify and formulate the units of the universal and specific gas constants
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

explain and identify under which circumstances a gas can be treated as an ideal
gas
solve problems using the compressibility factor for a specific gas at a specific
condition
Criteria of assessment
At the end of this study theme, a student should:
 be familiar with the “tools” that will be used in the following study themes. (The
tools are concepts i.e. phase change, compressibility, thermodynamic tables,
thermodynamic surfaces, dryness factor, etc. Problems in all of the following
themes will make use of these tools and concepts. Therefore, these concepts
need to be calculated with a realistic accuracy.)
 be able to solve problems quantitatively by determining the thermodynamic
properties of systems
 be able to determine the thermodynamic properties of problems where phase
changes occur.
15.4 STUDY THEME 4: Work and heat
Study units
 8th Edition: Chapter 3, §3.3 - §3.6
Self-study activities
 8th Edition: Chapter 3, §3.14
Recommended problems
 Refer to Click-UP
Outcomes
At the end of this study theme a student should be able to:
 formulate the definition of work
 explain the definition of work as well as the mathematical formulation of it
 state the sign convention for work done on or by a system and formulate the SI
units for work
 calculate a mathematical formulation for work done on system boundaries
 explain why work is described as a path function as opposed to a point function
 explain what is meant by a polytropic process and be able to perform the
integration to obtain work done during such a process
 formulate the definition of heat
 explain why heat is described as a transitional phenomena
 state the sign convention for the heat transfer process and formulate the SI units
for heat
 explain what is meant by an adiabatic process and identify such processes
 explain and motivate whether heat is a path function or not
 identify and describe the similarities between heat and work
Criteria of assessment
At the end of this study theme, a student should:
 be familiar with the “tools” that will be used in the following study themes. (The
tools are the concept: work, heat and adiabatic. Problems in all of the following
13



themes will make use of these tools and concepts. Therefore, these concepts
need to be calculated with a realistic accuracy and by taking into consideration
the sign convention that needs to be used.)
be able to understand and compare the exchangeability between work and heat
and to solve problems with it
be able to solve any practical problem with a realistic accuracy by determining
work and/or heat
be able to solve any practical problem by determining the thermodynamic
properties if the work and/or heat input/output is known.
15.5 STUDY THEME 5: The first law of thermodynamics
Study units
 8th Edition: Chapter 3, §3.1- §3.2, §3.7 - §3.13
 8th Edition: Chapter 4, §4.1 - §4.6
Self-study activities
 8th Edition: Chapter 3, §3.14
 8th Edition: Chapter 4, §4.7
Recommended problems
 Refer to Click-UP
Outcomes
At the end of this study theme a student should be able to:
 explain and formulate the first law of thermodynamics
 explain the concept of cyclic integral
 explain and formulate the first law of thermodynamics for a cycle
 explain and formulate the first law of thermodynamics for a process
 indicate how the energy of a system is defined and motivate whether it is a point
or path function
 identify the three components constituting the energy of a system
 identify and explain whether energy is an intensive or extensive property
 solve engineering problems using the dryness factor (quality) and tables for
internal energy
 define the term enthalpy
 explain whether enthalpy is an intensive or extensive property
 solve engineering problems using the dryness factor (quality) and table for
enthalpy
 identify and formulate the SI units for enthalpy and internal energy
 explain and reproduce the definition of specific heat capacities
 apply the specific heat capacities to problems relating to ideal gases
 identify and know the relations between heat capacities and the gas constant for
ideal gases
 apply the specific heat capacities to problems relating to liquid and solids
 derive the first law of thermodynamics as a rate equation
 write down the continuity equation ((mas balance) for a control volume and
simplify it
 know and be able to reproduce the assumptions for a steady state process for a
wide range of steady flow devices.
 understand and be able to explain the throttling process
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be able to analyse the following devices by means of a control volume approach
to first order accuracy by using the First Law (for heat transfer and work):
turbines, compressors, heat exchangers, throttling devices, nozzles, diffusers,
mixing chambers.
know and be able to reproduce the assumptions for a uniform state process
be able to derive the first law for a uniform state system
be able to apply the First Law in a non-steady application for a control volume for
the filling and emptying of tanks.
Criteria of assessment
At the end of this study theme, a student should be able to:
 solve problems quantitatively with reasonable accuracy from first and
fundamental principles by making use of the first law of thermodynamics
 motivate which terms of the first law of thermodynamics, under what conditions
can be ignored and which terms should be taken into consideration
 use engineering judgement on the approach that should/could be used to
consider a problem critically, to select an appropriate control volume, to make the
necessary assumptions, and to solve the problem with sufficient and realistic
accuracy.
15.6 STUDY THEME 6: The classical second law of thermodynamics
Study units
 8th Edition: Chapter 5, §5.1 - §5.9
Self-study activities
 8th Edition: Chapter 5, §5.10
Recommended problems
 Refer to Click-UP
Outcomes
At the end of this study theme a student should be able to:
 identify and explain the definition of a heat engine
 formulate the thermal efficiency of a heat engine
 identify and explain the definition of a chiller/heat pump
 formulate the equation for coefficient of performance of a chiller and heat pump
 explain what is meant by ‘thermal reservoir’
 define the Clausius and Kelvin-Planck formulations of the second law of
thermodynamics and show that these are equivalent.
 explain and define a reversible process
 identify which factors ensure reversibility
 know the relation between quasi-equilibrium and reversibility
 derive the processes in the Carnot cycle
 explain the effects of reversibility and irreversibility on the efficiency of heat
engines and on the performance of chillers/heat pumps
 formulate the two proofs relating to the efficiency of a Carnot cycle
Criteria of assessment
At the end of this study theme, a student should be able to:
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solve problems quantitatively with reasonable accuracy from first and
fundamental principles by making use of the second law of thermodynamics
motivate which terms of the second law of thermodynamics, under what
conditions, can be ignored and which terms should be taken into consideration.
use engineering judgement on the approach that should/could be used to
consider a problem critically, to select an appropriate control volume, to make the
necessary assumptions, and to solve the problem with sufficient and realistic
accuracy.
15.7 STUDY THEME 7: Entropy
Study units
 8th Edition: Chapter 6, §6.1- §6.11
 8th Edition: Chapter 7, §7.1- §7.6
Self-study activities
 8th Edition: Chapter 6, §6.12 - §6.13
Recommended problems
 Refer to Click-UP
Outcomes
At the end of this study theme a student should be able to:
 know and reproduce the second law for a cycle (Clausius inequality)
 understand and be able to explain the second law for a cycle
 know and reproduce the second law for reversible and irreversible processes
 understand and be able to explain the second law for reversible and irreversible
process
 know and be able to explain how the entropy for a system is defined, and know if
it is a path or point function
 know and explain whether entropy is an intensive or extensive property
 be able to use the dryness factor (quality) and tables for entropy to solve
problems
 know and be able to write down the SI units for entropy
 be able to draw and explain the temperature vs. entropy diagram for a Carnot
cycle
 know and be able to reproduce the equations for the change in entropy as a
function of change in internal energy, enthalpy, pressure and volume
 understand and be able to explain the concept of ‘lost work’
 understand and be able to prove the principle of increasing entropy for a process
of a system
 be able to calculate the change in entropy for solids, liquids and ideal gases
 understand and explain an isentropic process
 understand and derive from first principles the second law for a control volume
 know and be able to reproduce the assumptions for a steady state condition
 be able to derive the second law for a steady state condition
 know and be able to reproduce the assumptions for a uniform state process
 be able to derive the second law for a uniform state process
 understand and be able to prove the principle of increasing entropy for a control
volume
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understand and be able to apply the isentropic efficiency for different types of
control volumes
Criteria of assessment
At the end of this study theme, a student should be able to:
 solve problems quantitatively with reasonable accuracy from first and
fundamental principles by making use of the second law of thermodynamics.
 motivate which terms of the second law of thermodynamics, under what
conditions can be ignored and which terms should be taken into consideration.
 use engineering judgement on the approach that should/could be used to
consider a problem critically, to select an appropriate control volume, to make the
necessary assumptions, and to solve the problem with sufficient and realistic
accuracy.
15.8 STUDY THEME 8: Power cycles
Study units
 8th Edition: Chapter 9, §9.1- §9.7
 8th Edition: Chapter 10, §10.1- §10.5, §10.7- §10.9
Recommended problems
 Refer to Click-UP
Outcomes
At the end of this study theme, a student should be able to:
Rankine cycle
(a) know the processes that constitute the cycle and be able to write them down in
the correct order
(b) be able to draw the cycle schematically and be able to represent it on a T-s
diagram
(c) be able to calculate the thermal efficiency of the cycle
(d) know and be able to explain the influence of the turbine exhaust pressure, boiler
pressure and overheating on the efficiency of the cycle
(e) be able to show the reheat cycle on a T-s diagram
(f) know and be able to explain how the real cycle differs from the ideal Rankine
cycle referring to the losses in the pipes, turbine, pump and condenser
(g) do complete calculations for the cycle
Air-standard Carnot cycle
(a) know what is meant by an open cycle and be able to explain it
(b) know and be able to reproduce the six assumptions made when an internal
combustion engine (for example) is approximated by an air-standard cycle
(c) know and be able to reproduce the definition of the mean effective pressure
(d) know the processes that constitute the air standard Carnot cycle and be able to
write them down in the correct order
(e) draw the cycle schematically and be able to represent it on a T-s diagram
(f) calculate the thermal efficiency of the cycle
(g) know and be able to explain the definition of the isentropic pressure ratio and the
isentropic compression ratio
(h) understand the pros and cons of this cycle and be able to explain them
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(i) do complete calculations for the cycle
Air-standard Otto cycle
(a) know the processes that constitute the cycle and be able to write them down in
the correct order
(b) represent the cycle on a P-v and T-s diagram
(c) calculate the thermal efficiency of the cycle
(d) understand and be able to explain the definition of the compression ratio
(e) understand and be able to explain the differences between the real spark ignition
engine and the Otto-cycle
(f) do complete calculations for the cycle
Air-standard diesel cycle
(a) know the processes that constitute the cycle and be able to write them down in
the correct order
(b) represent the cycle on a P-v and T-s diagram
(c) calculate the thermal efficiency of the cycle
(d) compare the differences of the diesel and Otto cycles
(e) understand and explain the difference between the real pressure ignition engine
and the diesel cycle
(f) do complete calculations for the cycle
Stirling and Ericson cycle
(a) represent the cycle on a P-v and T-s diagram
(b) explain what is special about these cycles concerning their efficiencies
Brayton cycle
(a) draw the cycle schematically and represent it on a T-s and P-v diagram
(b) calculate the thermal efficiency of the cycle
(c) understand and explain the influence of irreversibility on the cycle
(d) do complete calculations for the cycle
Air-standard cycle for jet propulsion
(a) explain the operation of the cycle
(b) draw the cycle schematically and represent it on a T-s diagram
(c) perform calculations regarding this cycle
Criteria of assessment
At the end of this study theme, a student should be able to:
 solve problems quantitatively with reasonable accuracy from first and
fundamental principles by making use of the first and second laws of
thermodynamics.
 motivate which terms of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, under what
conditions can be ignored and which terms should be taken into consideration.
 use engineering judgement on the approach that should/could be used to critically
consider a problem, to select an appropriate control volume, to make the
necessary assumptions, and to solve the problem with sufficient and realistic
accuracy.
 use different approaches to solve thermodynamic problems quantitatively with
sufficient and realistic accuracy.
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