Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module ENGI4181: Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

Department: Engineering

ENGI4181: Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to H100
Tied to H300
Tied to

Prerequisites

  • (ENGI3391 Control and Signal Processing; ENGI3421 Management and Manufacture; ENGI3371 Electrical Engineering; ENGI3291 Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics; ENGI3351 Engineering Design; ENGI3411 Applied Mechanics OR ENGI3361 Electronics) OR (MEng(Overseas))

Corequisites

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery

Aims

  • This module is for students intending to fulfil the requirements of the M.Eng. streams in Mechanical Engineering (H300) and General Engineering (H100).
  • This module is to introduce and familiarise students with technologies for thermo-mechanical conversion of Renewable Energy for heat and power production.
  • The module will provide graduates with advanced knowledge and understanding of fluid flows.
  • This module is complemented by the 60 credit MEng Research and Development project module or by the 40 credit Technical Project where the final year MEng student has the opportunity to apply the material taught in this module in a large scale project.
  • The module provides a firm foundation for a broad range of careers in New and Renewable Energy sector, Mechanical and General Engineering through an appropriate combination of core and optional courses

Content

  • Solar, biomass, hydrogen and waste energy resources;
  • Bio fuels and their application in engines;
  • Technology for production of bio-fuels;
  • Biomass combustion and gasification technologies;
  • Internal and external combustion engines including micro gas turbines and Stirling engines
  • Domestic and Commercial CHP;
  • Solar thermal energy;
  • Hydrogen Technology and Fuel Cells;
  • Equations of fluid motion;
  • Laminar and turbulent flow and turbulent stresses;
  • Laminar and turbulent boundary layers;
  • Turbulence modelling;
  • Application to fluid drag;
  • Introduction to computational fluid dynamics;
  • Flow characteristics and boundary condition treatment;
  • Accuracy and stability of numerical solutions to flow equations;
  • Use of CFD for internal and external flows

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • A knowledge and understanding of different types of Renewable Energy as a waste source for heat and power production.
  • An understanding of ways of thermo-mechanical conversion of renewable energy for heat and power production;
  • A knowledge of to how calculate design parameters of various thermo-mechanical converters;
  • An appreciation and technical understanding of the physics of laminar and turbulent flows and their effects upon the performance of engineering components.
  • A knowledge and understanding of the equations of fluid motion and their application to the specific topic of laminar and turbulent fluid flow.
  • An understanding of the fundamentals of modern computational techniques for fluid flow, and an appreciation of their capabilities and limitations.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • An awareness of current technology, analysis methods and industrial practices along with the ability to apply those methods in novel situations.
  • To use effectively specialised, advanced computational tools and packages for the analysis of fluid flows and designing thermo-mechanical converters.
  • An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialised and advanced technical and professional skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review and an ability to communicate the results of their own work effectively.
Key Skills:
  • Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
  • Highly specialised numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
  • Highly specialised use of information technology (IT) relevant to the engineering profession.
  • Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The courses in Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics are covered in lectures, and are reinforced by seminars and by problem sheets, leading to the required problem solving capability.
  • Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis.
  • Written timed examinations are appropriate because of the wide range of analytical, in-depth material covered in this module and to demonstrate the ability to solve advanced problems independently.
  • The written examinations are supplemented by written coursework assignments based upon experimental and computational work. These written assignments provide the mechanism for the assessment of a student's ability to perform independent investigation, analysis and reporting.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 38 2 per week 1 Hour 38
Seminars 2 2 per week ( week 20 ) 1 Hour 2
Tutorials 44 2 per week up to 1 hour 44
Preparation and Reading 116
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Computational Fluid Mechanics 8 weeks 50% No
Fluid Mechanics 6 weeks 50% No
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Thermo-Mechanical Energy Conversion 2 hours 100% No

Formative Assessment:


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University