GROUP ASSIGNMENTS - BDA 20202 THERMODYNAMICS 1 (SEM I 2012/2013)

This group assignment should be done in group which consists of maximum five (5) students. The
groups are required to prepare a formal report based on titles* (i.e., related to the recent
technology of thermodynamics and renewable energy issues) and should choose one of them.
No similar title is allowed among the groups. To meet the standard of a formal report, group
should address the following items clearly in the report:

1. Title of case study* (see below)

2. Overview
3. Description from case study
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
6. References

Important Note:
Prepare report in two formats - Hardcopy & Softcopy (CD)
Each report should contain at least 3000 words.
Plagiarism and copy from the other group is strictly prohibited.
Dateline : 2 months period from the date of issue (issued on 10 Oct 2012
dateline 9 Dec 2012)

*TITLE OF CASE STUDY: Recent Issue of Thermodynamics and Renewable Energy

(A) Explain and diagram how a hydroelectric power plant operates. Label your diagram
carefully. Please give any information about hydroelectric power plant in Malaysia.

(B) Research how tidal power and ocean thermal energy conversion can be used to generate
electricity.

(C) Research the advantages and disadvantages of using wood as a fuel. Be sure to examine
how wood is used for fuel in other countries of the world.

(D) Research current developments in alternative fuels, especially ethanol, methanol, and
gasohol. How are they made? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of
fuel? What states lead in the production and consumption of these fuels?

(E) Prepare a report on how electricity is generated on wind farms. Describe types of wind
generators, types and sizes of wind farms, the economics of electricity production on wind
farms, and the locations of currently operating wind farms in the Malaysia. Include
diagrams.

(F) Research developments in solar powered cars. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of these vehicles? What does the future hold for solar powered
transportation?

(G) Research how geothermal energy can be used to heat homes. Diagram how such a
geothermal system works. Investigate the costs compared to other types of home heating
systems.

(H) Research the history of wind energy. Investigate how people in earlier times and in
different cultures have harnessed the winds energy. What developments have taken place
in the past hundred years? How is wind energy being used today? Include diagrams and
pictures in your report.

(I) Investigate developments in photovoltaic solar power technology as an alternative source

of energy.

(J) Prepare a report on passive and active solar heating systems. Include diagrams or
pictures in your report. Find out the cost difference between the two systems.
GROUP ASSIGNMENTS - BDA 20202 THERMODYNAMICS 1 (SEM I 2012/2013)

(K) Research another new form of solar thermal power: the solar pond. Describe and diagram
how it works. Explain what promise this type of solar power holds for the future.

(L) Research the history of solar energy. How did ancient people harness this form of energy?
What developments have taken place in the past 100 years? Prepare a report of your
findings. Include diagrams and pictures of various solar energy systems.

(M) Research these four basic methods of capturing geothermal energy: dry steam systems,
wet steam systems, geo-pressurized hot water systems, and hot dry-rock systems.

(N) Describe Fuel Cell Technology. Discuss whether this technology is promising as a
substitute for the fossil fuel.

(O) Biodiesel is said to be the alternative fuel for future transportation system. How true is
this statement can be in terms of sources, processing plants, commitments and
sustainability?

(P) Research the thermoacoustic technology development and explain its cycle diagram and
how it operates. Label the diagram carefully. Please give a few information about the
application of this technology recently.

(Q) Energy saving technology plays an important role in order to improve energy efficiency.
Research a few energy saving technologies that has been implemented recently, or yet to
be implemented in order to reduce the consumption of electrical energy. Compare those
technologies in terms of their effectiveness to achieve better energy efficiency.

(R) Research about the new technology of the heat pump and refrigeration systems. Explain
their cycle diagram carefully, operational concept and how they operate. You should able
to show the implementation of those heat pump and refrigeration system in real
application.

(S) Research the nuclear energy technology in terms of its operational concept (including its
cycle diagram), how it works, its advantages and disadvantages. Support your
statements regarding advantages and disadvantages with successfulness or failure
(incidence) of these technology. State your opinion whether this technology is reliable to
be implemented in future.

(T) Research about recent technologies of fuel saving method or fuel efficiency improvement
in automobile industry. Describe briefly all the methods being implemented in order to
achieve fuel saving target. Show the advantages and disadvantages of those methods.