Introduction to Thermodynamics

Course Dates: January 12, 13, 14, 16 (Please note: no class on January 15th)
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST

Description
This seminar is premised on the text “Thermodynamics made simple for energy engineers,” by S. Bobby Rauf. This seminar caters to Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Environmental Engineers, Chemical Engineers, Industrial Engineers Technicians, Maintenance Engineers, Facilities Managers, and Engineering Managers who are not intimately familiar with - or up to date on - thermodynamics principles and practices. This seminar is a review of fundamental and intermediate concepts and principles associated with thermodynamics.

This seminar aims to refresh and familiarize attendees with analytical techniques, mathematical formulation and solution of mainstream thermodynamics problems. Where suitable, this seminar illustrates application of thermodynamic principles in practical industrial, commercial and residential applications, with analogies borrowed from other disciplines.

This seminar utilizes case studies to illustrate analytical techniques associated with heat flow, energy transfer, energy transformation, conversion of heat energy to work, sensible and latent heat transactions, and conversion of heat to electrical energy through steam turbines. Laws, equations, graphs, charts, tables and diagrams, pertaining to various thermodynamics concepts, are covered and utilized in the analysis and solution of the case study problems.

Topics

• Energy unit systems.
• Energy concepts and extension/application of the law of conservation of energy.
• Energy transformation concepts and analysis.
• Understanding and application of steam tables.
• Mathematical principles and analytical methods associated with conversion of thermal energy to electricity through steam turbines and electric generators.
• Fundamental and essential thermodynamic concepts such as entropy, enthalpy, heat of fusion, heat of sublimation, latent and sensible heat.
• Thermodynamic processes and heat engine cycles.
• Pyschrometric analysis based on a psychrometric chart.
• Analysis and solution of HVAC type problems using a psychrometric chart.
• Refrigeration cycle analysis utilizing Pressure –Enthalpy Charts.
• Digital HVAC control systems.
• Understanding and application of steam tables.

Take away and learning objectives

• Attendees learn the importance of, and the distinction between, various energy and power units, heat flow rate, mass flow rate, work flow rate, energy flow rate, and inter-conversions.
• Attendees will gain appreciation of the role of the law of conservation of energy and how it influences myriad aspects of thermodynamic analysis.
• Clearer understanding and application of steam tables.
• Leave this seminar with better comprehension of mathematical principles and analytical methods associated with conversion of thermal energy to electricity through steam turbines and electric generators.
• Gain better understanding of essential and basic thermodynamic concepts such as entropy, enthalpy, heat of fusion, heat of sublimation, latent and sensible heat.
• A better grasp of thermodynamic processes and heat engine cycles.
• Get introduced to Mollier’s diagram and learn how it serves as a basic thermodynamic analysis tool.
• Familiarization with pyschrometric analysis based on the psychrometric chart.
• Learn how to analyze and solve HVAC type problems using a psychrometric chart.
• A better understanding of refrigeration cycle analysis on the basis of Pressure –Enthalpy Charts.
• An introduction to digital HVAC control system, typical architecture and functionality of its key components.