Mechanical Engineering: Thermodynamics

Principles of engineering thermodynamics; work, heat, and phase change; energy conservation in closed and open systems; thermodynamic cycles; entropy and the second law. Prerequisites: MATH 1248 or MATH 1242, PHYS 1500 or PHYS 1600, CHEM 1400.

Prereqs enforced by the system: MATH 1248 or 1242, and PHYS 1500 or 1600, and CHEM 1400; Open to Degree and PACE Students

ME 1210 Thermodynamics (3.0) Topics: 1. Basic thermodynamic concepts: systems, temperature, pressure, units (Ch. 1) 2. Energy and energy transfer: work and heat, conservation of energy, efficiencies (Ch. 2) 3. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances: phase, phase change, tables, interpolation, internal energy, enthalpy, specific heat, ideal gas, state equation, non-ideal gas (Ch. 3) 4. First Law analysis of closed systems: boundary work, energy balance, internal energy, enthalpy and specific heats of gases (Ch. 4) 5. First Law applied to control volumes; steady-state flow; unsteady-state flow; analysis of simple engineering devices (Ch. 5) 6. Second Law of Thermodynamics: statements of second law, irreversibilities, heat engines, refrigerators and heat pumps; Carnot cycle (Ch. 6) 7. Entropy: concept of entropy, Tds relationships, entropy change, isentropic processes (Ch. 7) 8. Steam power systems: Carnot and Rankine Cycles (Ch. 7 and 10) 9. Introduction to gas power systems: Otto, Diesel and Brayton Cycles (Ch. 9) Objectives: 1. Ability to understand first-law energy analysis applied to closed and open systems. 2. Ability to use thermodynamic property tables for common working fluids to solve homework and exam problems. 3. Ability to understand second-law concepts related to entropy. 4. Ability to understand the basics and implications of thermodynamic cycles for heat engines.

Class meetings cover the material that is needed to enable solution of homework and exam problems. Note that students must demonstrate the ability to solve thermodynamics problems on exams to pass the course. Some classes will be dedicated to practicing problem solving, and there will be some external support from both the instructor and from an undergraduate teaching assistant. There will be six to eight homework assignments that are due one week after the assignment is posted. Students are encouraged to work on problems together but to submit individual work! There will also be penalties for not submitting neat homework after warnings. The proper format for homework submission will be discussed during the first week.

The homework counts for 25% of the grade. Two mid-term exams also count for 25% each, and the final exam counts for 25%. Final grades will be (tentatively) issued according to the traditional grading scheme: A-90%, B-80%, C-70% and D-60%. I reserve the right to modify this scheme at my discretion, but any such modification will be in such a way as to lessen the requirements for a particular grade.