ME 461: Thermal Systems Modeling

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ME 461 - Thermal Systems Modeling

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Catalog Description

461 Thermal Systems Modeling. II; 3cr. Analysis and design of engineering systems involving applications of thermodynamics, economics, heat transfer, and fluid flow. P:ME 364 or equiv or cons inst.

Course Prerequisite(s)

See catalog description above.

Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills

ME 461 is an elective course. It is intended to integrate conservation principles of thermodynamics (ME361) with mechanism relations of fluids (ME363) and heat transfer (ME364). Economics and optimization for analyses and design of practical energy systems are a focus. Applications center primarily on refrigeration and power generation.

Textbook(s) and/or other required material

Recommended Text: Any mechanical engineering thermodynamics textbook, e.g., Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, 5th edition, Moran and Shapiro, Wiley, 2004 or Thermodynamics - an Engineering Approach, Cengel, Y.A. and Boles, M.A., 4th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2002.

A heat transfer textbook, e.g., Heat Transfer by Incropera and DeWitt will also be needed.

Course objectives

1) Introduce thermodynamics topics and novel cycles which are not covered (or too quickly covered) in ME 361; 2) Integrate rate mechanisms (i.e., heat transfer and fluid dynamics) into thermodynamic system analyses; 3) Provide design opportunities through open-ended problems 4) Provide experience in using the computer to solve problems 5) Provide experience in group problem solving

Topics covered

Using the Computer to Solve Problems
Conservation Equations Force balances Mass balances Energy balances Entropy balances
Availability Analyses Availability of heat and work Availability of systems and flow streams Second-law efficiencies
Economics Present worth Life cycle costs Cost estimation Uncertainty analysis
Optimization Methods Single variable Multiple variable LaGrange's method with constraints
Mechanism Relations Heat transfer mechanisms Heat exchanger analysis Fluid flow (pressure drop, friction factors, orifice flow)
Design Considerations for Power Cycles Rankine cycle and modifications Cogeneration Maximum power of a heat-transfer limited Carnot cycle Power / efficiency tradeoffs Gas turbine cycles and modifications
Refrigeration Cycles Refrigerant designations and alternatives Vapor compression cycles with heat transfer Heat pumps (advantages and capacity limitations) Advanced cycles (staging, subcooling) Absorption cycles
Psychrometric Systems Design of cooling coils / cooling towers HVAC applications (cold air distribution, supermarket dehumidification, etc.) Desiccant air-conditioning systems
Chemical Reacting Systems Efficiency definitions for combusting systems Availability of fuels Adiabatic combustion temperatures Internal combustion engines

Class/laboratory schedule

3 one-hour lecture sessions per week

Contribution of course to meeting the professional component

This course contributes primarily to the students' knowledge of engineering topics, and does provide design experience.

The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.

economic (balancing first costs with operating costs) environmental (pollutants from combustion, effects of refrigerants, thermal pollution) ethical and policy issues arise in discussion of alternative energy issues e.g., whether the goal of creating a "hydrogen economy" makes sense

Relationship of course to undergraduate degree program objectives and outcomes

This course primarily serves students in the department. The information below describes how the course contributes to the undergraduate program objectives.

This elective course supports mechanical engineering objectives 1.2, 1.3, and 2

Assessment of student progress toward course objectives

Grading is on a scale from A to F weighted as follows
Homework 30% Exams (2) 40% Final exam 30%
Most homework assignments are collaborative in groups of 2.

Person(s) who prepared this description

Sanford A. Klein

Copyright 2007 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Date last modified: 04-Aug-2007
Content by: deptinfo@me.engr.wisc.edu
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