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2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MECH1215 Thermofluids 1

20 creditsClass Size: 350

Module manager: Professor R Barker
Email: R.J.Barker@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Admission to all UG MECH programmes

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides students with an introduction to the fundamental theories of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics and their practical application. The module covers fundamental concepts of fluid statics and dynamics, as well as the conservation of mass, energy and momentum, applying these to engineering problems. In thermodynamics, students are introduced to real/perfect gases and thermodynamic cycles. This module includes four laboratory practicals.

Objectives


On successful completion of the module students will;
• apply fundamental concepts of fluid statics to compute basic parameters for hydrostatic fluid problems;
• apply fundamental concepts of fluid dynamics, with consideration of both ideal (inviscid) and real (viscous) flows, to one dimension problems using the continuum concepts of conservation of mass, momentum and energy;

• apply basic concepts of engineering thermodynamics of real and perfect gases, and of heat transfer, to elementary thermodynamic cycle analysis. .

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. describe the fundamental concepts of fluid statics and fluid flow, with reference to both ideal (inviscid) and real (viscous) flow;
2. analyse hydrostatic fluid problems, including systems relating to forces on submerged bodies;
3. analyse ideal fluid flow in one dimension using the continuum concepts of conservation of mass, momentum and energy;
4. identify appropriate methodologies for modelling flows using non-dimensional parameters;
5. Apply the basic concepts of engineering thermodynamics of real and perfect gases, and of heat transfer to engineering problems.
6. Apply elementary thermodynamic cycle analysis to understand the effects of the major operating parameters controlling the performance of thermodynamic processes.

Upon successful completion of this module the following Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) learning outcome descriptors (fourth edition) are satisfied:
7. Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to broadly-defined problems. Some of the knowledge will be informed by current developments in the subject of study. [B1]
8. Analyse broadly-defined problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles. [B2]
9. Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of broadly-defined problems. [B6]
10. Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate broadly-defined problems. [B12]

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills;


a. Problem solving & analytical skills,
b. Academic writing,
c. Laboratory practice


Syllabus


Thermodynamics
0. Introduction
Scope of thermodynamics. Historical development. Current energy resources and their availability. Alternative resources. The thermodynamic system. Thermodynamic state and properties. Thermodynamic processes. Energy, heat (basic conduction/convection/radiation), thermodynamic definition of work and power.

1. The First Law of Thermodynamics
1.1. Introduction: cyclic systems
1.2. Closed systems, internal energy, displacement work
1.3. Open systems, flow work, enthalpy.

2. Property Relationships
2.1. Phases of matter of a pure substance, tabulated property data for condensable fluids (eg steam)
2.2. Perfect gas property relationships, equation of state for ideal gas, internal energy and constant volume specific heat enthalpy and constant pressure specific heat, ratio of specific heats.

3. Thermodynamic Process Path Definition
3.1. Polytropic process
3.2. Special cases: constant volume (isochoric), constant pressure (isobaric), constant temperature (isothermal) process for an ideal gas.

4. The Second Law of Thermodynamics
4.1. Reversibility, statement of the Second Law, perpetual motion of the second kind
4.2. Heat engine performance, reversible heat engines, thermodynamic temperature scale, temperature and heat engine performance
4.3 The Carnot cycle
4.4. Entropy, derivation and relationship to heat transferred in reversible processes.
4.5. Entropy property relationships, T-s, diagram and tables for real fluids, perfect gas relationships, the isentropic process for perfect gas, work done in a reversible steady flow process.

5.0 The Air-standard Otto Cycle
5.1 Processes making up the cycle
5.2 Cycle thermal efficiency
5.3 Compression/Expansion ratio and cycle efficiency
5.4 Deviation of real spark ignition engine cycle from ideal otto cycle.

Fluid Mechanics
6. Introduction to fluid mechanics and applications;Scope of fluid mechanics; application areas
7. Properties of fluids
7.1 Physical characteristics
7.2 Molecular structure of liquids
7.3 Fluids as a continuum

8. Hydrostatic pressure and manometry
8.1 Definition of pressure
8.2 Calculation of hydrostatic pressure
8.3 Use of manometers for measuring pressure (including atmospheric pressure)
8.4 Other common pressure measurement devices.

9. Forces on submerged surfaces and bodies
9.1 Centre of pressure
9.2 Calculation of total force acting on surfaces of rectangular section using integration approach
9.3 Calculation of total force using 2nd moment of area.

10. Introduction to ideal fluid flow
10.1 Streamline flow
10.2 Sources of energy loss within flow.

11. Conservation (with application to incompressible flows) of:
11.1 Mass
11.2 Energy - Bernoulli's equation (including link to 1st law of thermodynamics)
11.3 Momentum - forces
11.4 Application of conservation laws to flow measurement.

12. Dimensional analysis
12.1 Geometric similarity
12.2 Dimensional homogeneity
12.3 Typical non-dimensional groups within fluid mechanics
12.4 Buckingham Pi theory.

Methods of Assessment

We are currently refreshing our modules to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full assessment details for this module are not available before the start of the academic year, at which time details of the assessment(s) will be provided.

Assessment for this module will consist of;

2 x Coursework
1 x In-person closed book exam

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture401.0040.00
Practical42.008.00
Seminar81.008.00
Private study hours144.00
Total Contact hours56.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Feedback session after 1st and 2nd online activity

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024

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