Module ENGI4181: Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

Department: Engineering

ENGI4181: Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

Prerequisites

• Level 3 Electrical Engineering route OR Level 3 Mechanical Engineering route

Corequisites

• As specified in programme regulations.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• As specified in programme regulations.

Aims

• This module is designed solely for students studying School of Engineering and Computing Sciences degree programmes.
• 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 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, thermal, biomass, hydrogen and waste energy resources.
• Low carbon vehicle drive-trains.
• Vehicle energy consumption, emissions and alternative fuels.
• Equations of fluid motion.
• Laminar and turbulent flow and turbulent stresses.
• Laminar and turbulent boundary layers.
• Turbulence modelling.
• Introduction to computational fluid dynamics.
• Flow characteristics and boundary condition treatment.
• Accuracy and stability of numerical solutions to flow equations.
• Analysis of internal and external flows using CFD & other techniques.

Learning Outcomes

• A knowledge and understanding of different types of thermal extraction of New and Renewable Energy.
• An understanding of the engineering of low carbon vehicles.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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 Low Carbon and Thermal Technologies course is covered in lectures, and reinforced by problem sheets, leading to the required problem solving capability. Assessment is by written examination.
• The course in Fluid Mechanics is covered in lectures, and are reinforced by seminars and by problem sheets, leading to the required problem solving capability. Assessment is by written examination and courework 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.
• 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.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

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