Study Unit 1

STUDY UNIT 1:
SOME INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS
Borgnakke & Sonntag Chapter 1

Study unit contents

1.1. Typical applications of thermodynamics
1.2. Environmental impact

Having completed study unit 1 you should:

Be familiar with the processes and equipment used in thermodynamics

Understand basic concepts used to describe thermodynamic equipment
Appreciate the effect of thermodynamic equipment on the environment

Borgnakke & Sonntag. Chapter 1

Class notes – 2010 Some introductory comments

The purpose of this study unit is to give a brief introduction to the application of
thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is a science and an engineering tool used to
describe processes that involve changes in temperature, transformation of energy,
and the relationships between heat and work. In this module, a number of the
examples presented will refer to processes that occur in equipment such as a simple
steam power plant, fuel cells, vapour-compression refrigeration cycles, thermo-
electric refrigerators, air separation plants, gas turbines and chemical rocket engines.
These applications will be briefly discussed is Study Unit 1.
We will also, consider the effect of thermodynamic equipment on the environment
and look at innovative ways to counter global warming and the looming energy crisis.

Typical applications of thermodynamics

Tutorial 1.1:
Thermodynamics is relevant to many different processes. Select one of the
processes introduced in study unit 1 and write a 600 word paper on this
topic. Make use of three different references when writing your report, add
one figure and cross-reference this figure in the text.

Refer to appendix C for hints on writing an essay

Submit via Edulink on Thursday 22/07/2010 before 23h00. Hard copies

to be submitted Friday 23/07/2010 at 11h10 DL105
 Study Unit 1

Environmental Impact
It is important that we are aware of the effect of thermodynamic equipment and
applications have on our environment and that we are constantly pursuing
alternative, renewable and sustainable power generation methods.
Renewable energy offers our planet a chance to reduce carbon emissions, clean the
air, and put civilisation on a more sustainable footing. It also offers countries around
the world the chance to improve their energy security and spur economic
development. So much has happened in the renewable energy sector during the past
ten years that our perceptions lag far behind the reality of where the industry is today.

Tutorial Problem 1.2:

List 10 clean, renewable and/or alternative power generation methods
commercially available today.
Submit Monday 19/07/2010 at 16h25 D1 LAB K009