THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department of Mechanical Engineering

MECE 3336: Thermodynamics II Stephen W. Crown Ph.D.

Fall 2016 Phone: (956) 665-5015
Section 1: EACSB 1.104, TH 3:05-4:20 pm E-Mail: stephen.crown@utrgv.edu
Section 2: EEDUC 1.534, TH 9:25-10:40 am Office: 3.234 EENGR
Section 3: BSTUB 2.24, TH 3:05-4:20 pm Office Hours: M 2-4, TH 11-12, W 9-10

Textbook and/or Resource Material

M. J. Moran, H. N. Shapiro, et al., Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Seventh Edition, John Wiley &
Sons, 2014. [ISBN: 978-1-118-41293-0] Any addition of the text (5th - 8th) is acceptable as the homework for the
course is given online.

Course Description and Prerequisites

Gas and two-phase power and refrigeration cycles. Gas mixtures, chemical reactions, and chemical equilibrium.
The basic laws and concepts of classical thermodynamics are reviewed as their use is encountered in the course.
Prerequisites: MATH 2335 (Thermodynamics I) with a minimum grade of “C”.

Learning Objectives/Outcomes for the Course

By the conclusion of this course, competent students will:
1. Be able to model and analyze various vapor power systems. (H, P, T)
2. Be able to model and analyze various gas power systems. (H, T)
3. Understand and be able to analyze refrigeration and heat pump systems. (H, T)
4. Understand gas mixtures, psychrometrics, and be able to analyze A/C systems. (H, T)
5. Be able to analyze reacting mixtures and simple combustion processes. (H, T)
6. Be able to evaluate and optimize the efficiency of a thermodynamic system. (P, T)
Key: H-Homework, P-Project, T-Test

Departmental Learning Objectives for the Course

By the conclusion of this course, competent students will have demonstrated the ability to design and analyze
components and systems for mechanical and energy performance.

Grading Policies
UTRGV’s grading policy is to use straight letter grades. The minimum weighted average for each letter grade is 90,
80, 70, 60 for grades of A, B, C, and D respectively. The weighted average is determined using the following
formula: Final Grade = HW*15% + (PR1+PR2)*15% + (EX1+EX2)*40% + FE*30%

- Homework: All homework assignments (written or online) are due at the given due date and time and will not be
accepted late. Online homework assignments must also be completed by hand on paper and organized in a class
notebook. The notebook may be collected periodically and homework grades revised accordingly if notebooks are
incomplete. Homework notebooks should adhere to the following six steps.
1. Begin each problem on a new page with the problem number written in the upper right hand corner of the page.
2. Problem: Briefly summarize the problem statement.
3. Diagrams: Provide a schematic of the system and a property diagram when appropriate.
4. Assumptions and Analysis: Solve the problem showing your work in detail by stating your assumptions and
providing the equations you used and the numerical values you obtained.
5. Conclusions: Write a sentence or two discussing your findings.
6. Staple all pages together including the homework cover page.

- Midterm and Final Exams: All exams will be closed book and closed notes. Scratch paper, a formula sheet, and
appropriate tables will be provided as necessary. State the course grading policy. Include graded assignments,
weighting, and how late work will be treated. All major graded assignments should be described, at least briefly.
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- Design Projects: Two group (3-4 students) projects will be assigned over the semester. The first group design
project that will be assigned requires the optimization of a steam power plant. The power plant may have several
turbine stages, open and closed feedwater heaters, reheat, etc. The analysis will be based on the ideal Rankine cycle
where pump and turbine irreversibilities are accounted for by the use of isentropic efficiencies. The analysis will
require the use of a computer program that calculates thermodynamic properties at each state in the cycle. You
must determine the efficiency of your power plant using the program and demonstrate that you have optimized
your design. You must turn in your program which allows the user to easily change design parameters and
recalculate efficiency and a report that explains your design, the computer program, and the optimization process
that you followed. Your report should also include an appendix with sample hand calculations.

Calendar of Activities
Lecture and Exam Schedule
Week Date Topic/Event
1 8/30 Vapor Power Systems, Rankine Cycle
2 9/6 Improving Performance, Superheat, Reheat, Regeneration
3 9/13 Optimizing Efficiency of Complex Steam Power Plants
9/15 Gas Power Cycles, Internal Combustion Engines, Otto Cycle
4 9/20 Air Standard and Cold Air Standard Otto Cycle
9/22 Cold Air Standard, Diesel Cycle, and Dual Cycle
5 9/27 Tuesday: Review (Week 1-4)
9/29 Thursday: Exam #1 (Week 1-4)
6 10/4 Gas Power Cycles, Gas Turbine Power Plants
7 10/11 Tuesday: Jet Engines, Combined Cycles
10/13 Thursday: Compressible flow in Nozzles and Diffusers
8 10/18 Tuesday: Supersonic flow in Nozzles and Diffusers
10/20 Thursday: Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems
9 10/25 Tuesday: Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems
10/27 Thursday: Heat Pumps, Absorption and Gas Refrigeration Systems
10 11/1 Tuesday: Review (Week 6-9)
11/3 Thursday: Exam #2 (Week 6-9)
11 11/8 Ideal Gas Mixtures and Processes
12 11/15 Psychrometric Applications
13 11/22 Tuesday: Reacting Mixtures and Combustion
14 11/29 Combustion and Chemical Equilibrium
15 12/6 Final Exam Review
Finals --- Comprehensive Final Exam
12/15 Section 1: Thursday, 1:15-3:00pm, EACSB 1.104
12/15 Section 2: Thursday, 8:00-9:45am, EEDUC 1.534
12/15 Section 3: Thursday, 1:15-3:00pm, BSTUB 2.24

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Other important dates for Fall 2016 include:

Aug 29 Fall classes begin

Sept 1 Last day to add or register for Fall classes
Sept 2 Last day to withdraw (drop all classes) for a 80% refund
Sept 5 Labor Day Holiday, no classes
Sept 14 Census day (last day to drop without it appearing on the transcript)
Nov 17 Last day to drop (DR grade) a class or withdraw (grade of W)
Nov 18 - Dec 8 Online course evaluations available
Nov 24 - Nov 25 Thanksgiving Holiday, no classes
Dec 8 Study Day, no classes
Dec 9 – Dec 15 Final Exams

UTRGV Policy Statements

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Required on all syllabi. Do not modify.

If you have a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or other disability which affects your
academic performance) and would like to receive academic accommodations, please inform your instructor and
contact Student Accessibility Services to schedule an appointment to initiate services. It is recommended that you
schedule an appointment with Student Accessibility Services before classes start. However, accommodations can
be provided at any time. Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129
and can be contacted by phone at (956) 882-7374 (Voice) or via email at ability@utrgv.edu. Edinburg Campus:
Student Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) 665-7005
(Voice), (956) 665-3840 (Fax), or via email at ability@utrgv.edu.

MANDATORY COURSE EVALUATION PERIOD: Required on all syllabi. Do not modify.

Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTRGV account
(http://my.utrgv.edu); you will be contacted through email with further instructions. Students who complete their
evaluations will have priority access to their grades. Online evaluations will be available:

Oct 5 – Oct 12 for Module 1 courses

Dec 1 – Dec 7 for Module 2 courses
Nov 18 – Dec 8 for full fall semester courses

ATTENDANCE: Recommended on all syllabi; may be modified by the instructor as long as it is not inconsistent with
UTRGV policy.
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and may be dropped from the course for excessive absences.
UTRGV’s attendance policy excuses students from attending class if they are participating in officially sponsored
university activities, such as athletics; for observance of religious holy days; or for military service. Students should
contact the instructor in advance of the excused absence and arrange to make up missed work or examinations.

SCHOLASTIC INTEGRITY: Recommended on all syllabi.

As members of a community dedicated to Honesty, Integrity and Respect, students are reminded that those who
engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the
course and expulsion from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism,
and collusion; submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another
person; taking an examination for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student; or the
attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the
University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations and
UTRGV Academic Integrity Guidelines). All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, and VIOLENCE: Required on all syllabi. Do not modify.
In accordance with UT System regulations, your instructor is a “responsible employee” for reporting purposes
under Title IX regulations and so must report any instance, occurring during a student’s time in college, of sexual
assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes aware
during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at
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www.utrgv.edu/equity, including confidential resources available on campus. The faculty and staff of UTRGV
actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and
mutual respect in an environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination.

COURSE DROPS: Recommended on all syllabi; may be modified by the instructor as long as it is not inconsistent
with UTRGV policy.
According to UTRGV policy, students may drop any class without penalty earning a grade of DR until the official
drop date. Following that date, students must be assigned a letter grade and can no longer drop the class. Students
considering dropping the class should be aware of the “3-peat rule” and the “6-drop” rule so they can recognize
how dropped classes may affect their academic success. The 6-drop rule refers to Texas law that dictates that
undergraduate students may not drop more than six courses during their undergraduate career. Courses dropped
at other Texas public higher education institutions will count toward the six-course drop limit. The 3-peat rule
refers to additional fees charged to students who take the same class for the third time.

Additional Policy Statements

Attendance:
Attendance will be taken every time the class meets. Any student arriving to class more than 5 minutes after the
class has started will not be allowed in class and will be counted absent for that day. Students with more than 3
unexcused absences and poor overall grades (<70%) may be dropped from the course by the instructor. Students
will not be permitted to leave the classroom during lectures and exams except for extreme emergencies.
Students who leave class early without permission will be counted absent for that day.

Homework and Exams:

1. Absolutely no assignments will be accepted late.
2. Make-ups for in-class exams for extreme emergencies will be scheduled at the end of the semester.

Plagiarism:
Any instance of cheating or plagiarism will result in loss of credit for the work, and will be reported to the Chair of
the ME Department and/or the Dean of Students for appropriate action which may include loss of credit for the
course or dismissal from the University.