Thermodynamics is the branch of engineering science concerned with transfer of heat and its conversion to and from mechanical energy in plant and machinery. Common examples are: steam and gas turbines, internal combustion engines, and reciprocating and rotary compressors.
Traditionally, thermodynamics was an important subject for mechanical engineers when steam plant predominated for power generation, marine engines and railway motive power. The former two remain important, although less so. Study of thermodynamics is also important for chemical engineers applied to design of heat exchange equipment such as evaporators and condensers.
The first group of tutorials outlines the basic principles of thermodynamics. Whilst not a substitute for text books or formal course material I hope they provide useful overview.
A second group concerning specific engineering applications is in preparation.
Tutorials in the first Engineering thermodynamics group are as follows.
Engineering thermodynamics 1 - Basic concepts and the First Law
closed and open systems, flow and non-flow processes, properties of fluids, heat and work, the First Law of Thermodynamics, units
Engineering thermodynamics 2 - Processes in closed systems
reversible and irreversible processes, work done, application of the First Law to constant volume, constant pressure, polytropic, adiabatic and isothermal processes
Engineering thermodynamics 3 - The steady flow energy equation
derivation of the steady flow energy equation
Engineering thermodynamics 4 - Applying the steady flow energy equation
application of the steady flow energy equation to a boiler, condenser, nozzle, diffuser, turbine, compressor and throttle valve
Engineering thermodynamics 5 - Thermodynamic cycles
Examples of closed thermodynamic cycles (Rankine, refrigeration and Carnot cycles)
Engineering thermodynamics 6 - The Second Law of Thermodynamics
Statement of the Second Law, characteristics of the reversible Carnot cycle, establishing a thermodynamic temperature scale, deriving the property entropy from the Clausius inequality.
Engineering thermodynamics 7 - Entropy in thermodynamic systems
Review of entropy, applications in non-flow and steady-flow processes, internal and external entropy changes in irreversible processes
Engineering thermodynamics 8 - Properties of liquids and vapours
Phase transitions of H2O and other substances, pv diagram for H2O, Reference sources for thermodynamic properties (charts and tables), Properties of wet steam
Engineering thermodynamics 9 - Properties of perfect gases
Definition of a perfect gas, Equation of state for perfect gases, Definitions of specific heats \(c_p\) and \(c_v\)) and their relationship with gas constant R, Expressions for internal energy, enthalpy and entropy in terms of measurable properties (pressure, temperature and volume).
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