Advanced Thermal Engineering unit (ENG416)

Introduction

This unit provides students with a deeper understanding of thermodynamics and applies this knowledge to applications in typical building services such as refrigeration and air-conditioning system, and industrial projects such as desalination and power generation. The unit develops students' ability to observe, formulate and solve problems in applied thermodynamics, and provides an essential foundation for persons intending to continue with postgraduate research and development work in the field. This unit builds on material presented in ENG212 (Thermal and Fluid Engineering) and ENG311 (Thermal Engineering 1). This unit covers various advanced power and refrigeration cycles and their working fluids; gas-vapor mixtures and psychrometry; gas compression and the design and analysis of their affiliated hardware, such as evaporators, condensers and cooling towers; the performance analysis of compressors; and application of renewable thermal energy such as geothermal heat pumps, thermally driven absorption and adsorption chillers and thermally driven multi-effect desalination technologies. Sustainability is addressed through emphasis on efficiency and discussion on renewable and sustainable energy technologies. The material will be practically demonstrated in practical applications through two 2-hour laboratory sessions and a field trip.

Summary

Unit name	Advanced Thermal Engineering
Unit code	ENG416
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Engineering
Discipline	Engineering
Coordinator	Professor Xiaolin Wang
Delivered By
Level	Honours

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse advanced power and refrigeration cycles.
• Evaluate thermal properties of air-vapor mixtures and their application in the context of the design of an air-conditioning system.
• Assess the performance of various building service and industrial thermodynamic systems
• Apply thermal energy to air-conditioning, desalination, and power generation systems to achieve sustainability goals.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

ENG311

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Lectorials: 3 hours per week (1 x 2hr and 1 x 1hr), and 37 hr lectures in total. Tutorials: 1 hour per week and 11 hours in total. Practical: Two 2-hour sessions, one each in approx. weeks 5/6, and 7/8 depending on the student numbers (the detailed schedule will be discussed in the class).
Assessment	Site visit (5%)|Mid-semester test (15%)|Analysis and evaluation of a thermal system (20%)|Invigilated exam (30%)|Lab demonstration/Practices (30%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.
Recommended	Cengel, Y. A, and Boles, M. A., Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach, 9th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2019. (or previous and latest edition).

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.