ME 321: Engineering Thermodynamics
Spring 2013
Portland State University
Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science
Course Objectives
To provide engineering students with the basic knowledge of thermodynamics, develop
the equations and methods to analyze thermodynamic process, and apply thermodynamic
principles to known thermal processes.
Instructor
Derek Tretheway
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
EB 402H
Phone: 725-8760
Email: derekt@cecs.pdx.edu
Website: www.cecs.pdx.edu\~derekt
Class hours: Tuesday and Thursdays 10-11:50am
Class location: CIN 92
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 1:00-2:00pm and by appointment
Grader
Location: EB400 cubicles
Prerequisites: Physics 223, Math 253
Textbook: Y.A. Cengel and M.A. Boles, Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach,
7th Edition, 2011 McGraw Hill. Older editions are fine.
Policies
There will be two, no longer than thirty minute in-class quizzes. The midterm
examine will last one class period. The final exam will be comprehensive. All quizzes
and exams are mandatory. Discuss any potential conflicts well before the exam dates.
Quiz dates TBA later. There will be no make-up quizzes or exams.
If you have a disability, are registered with the Disability Resource Center, and
are in need of academic accommodations, please notify me (D. Tretheway) immediately
to arrange needed supports. If you are unregistered or need information about
disabilities, please contact the Disability Resource Center on campus at 725-4150.
Cumulative grades will be based on the following weights
Homework
15% assigned/collected on Wednesdays
Quizzes
12%
Midterm Exam
32%
Final Exam
41%
(June 11, 10:15am)
Learning Objectives
At the end of the term, students taking ME321 should be able to do the following:
1. Explain and properly use thermodynamic definitions, nomenclature, and
vocabulary in both a written and spoken context.
2. Write and explain the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics
3. Solve simple single-answer problems with the First Law applying appropriate
assumptions
4. Translate complex word problems into an orderly and logical problem solving
format and identify solution strategies.
5. Obtain thermodynamic data necessary to solve thermodynamic problems. Apply
appropriate approximations when necessary.
6. Solve problems which have multiple solution strategies and justify the choice of
strategy
7. Apply the Second Law to determine the performance limitations of a given
thermodynamic system.
8. Solve problems requiring both the First and Second Laws (heat engines, power
cycles, refrigeration cycles etc.)
9. Apply thermodynamic concepts to describe the performance of the individual
components of an engineering system, e.g. a power plant, a jet engine, etc., and
then relate that information to the overall performance of the entire system.
ME321 Course Outline (tentative*)
Class Date Subject
Reading
1
4/2
Overview, problem solving, units
Ch. 1
2
4/4
Terminology, nomenclature, Property tables, interpolation Ch. 1, Ch.3
3
4/9
Properties: Phase changes, Ideal Gas, solids, and liquids
3-6 thru 3-11
4
4/11
Energy transfer: forms of energy and exchanges
Ch. 2
5
4/16
Energy transfer: mass cons., flow work, control volumes
Ch. 4
6
4/18
More First Law
7
4/23
First Law: energy balance, open and closed systems
8
4/25
1st Law: devices, unsteady energy balance, Applications
9
4/30
Applications of 1st Law cont. Intro to the 2nd Law
10
5/2
Engine analysis, measure of performance, midterm review Ch. 6
11
5/7
Midterm Exam
12
5/9
2nd Law: performance measures, reversibility, Carnot cycle
13
5/14
Entropy concept: solids, liquids, gasses, isentropic eff.
Ch. 7
14
5/16
Entropy balance: gas power cycles, automotive engines
Ch. 9
15
5/21
Gas turbines, jet engines, vapor cycles
16
5/23
Vapor cycles cont. Power plants
17
5/28
Power plants cont.
18
5/30
refrigeration cycles, heat pumps
Ch. 11
19
6/4
Maxwell equations
Ch. 12
20
6/6
Review
Ch. 5
Ch. 10
Additional optional reading: Topics of Special Interest
* note: This is a tentative course outline. Lecture topics and reading assignments may
vary depending on lecture progress. The midterm date may change! The date will be
confirmed by an announcement in lecture. Do not claim that you missed the midterm
exam because it did not occur at the date implied by this outline!
ME321 Homework Format:
1. Name and date in upper right hand corner on every page. Please staple pages
together.
2. Homework assignment number on upper left.
3. Please write legibly in dark pencil or pen. Print (no cursive) with decent size.
4. Identify each problem clearly.
5. Please box the results using proper significant digits and show the units.
6. For solving problems follow the format in the textbook.
7. State the problem (what’s given).
8. State the required results.
9. List the assumptions employed – only state the assumptions that can potentially
cause the answer to differ significantly from the real answer.
10. In the analysis, clearly identify what you are doing. Do not string together
formulas without connecting them properly with explanation text. Justify the use
of formulas.
11. Add comments to results when appropriate. Do the results appear reasonable?
Are the assumptions reasonable? Is there additional relevant material not
reflected in the analysis?