MEC4408 - Thermodynamics and heat transfer

Overview

This unit aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the processes by which heat and energy are inter-related and converted and by which heat is transferred. The unit will review major principles of energy conversion and the modes of heat transfer. The basic laws of thermodynamics and the governing equations for heat transfer and thermodynamics will be introduced and subsequently used to solve practical engineering problems involving thermodynamics and heat transfer. The unit will also cover fundamental design principles of power generation systems and heat exchangers.

Offerings

S1-01-CLAYTON-FLEXIBLE

S1-01-MALAYSIA-ON-CAMPUS

Requisites

Prerequisite

Prohibition

Contacts

Chief Examiner(s)

Professor Mainak Majumder

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Mainak Majumder

Professor Hung Yew Mun

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

Apply fundamental equations to establish mathematical relationships amongst commonly encountered thermodynamic properties.

Use psychrometric charts to analyse and quantify air conditioning processes.

Analyse the performance of combustion processes utilised to generate energy and recognise the importance of greenhouse effects.

Evaluate the performance of internal combustion engines.

Discern modes of heat transfer in energy-related processes.

Appraise engineering problems involving heat conduction, convection and radiation by selecting and applying appropriate tools to model the problem.

Teaching approach

Online learning

Problem-based learning

Assessment summary

Continuous assessment: 40%

Final assessment: 60%

This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment

1 - Online quizzes

2 - Practical tests

3 - Laboratory report

4 - Final assessment

Scheduled and non-scheduled teaching activities

Laboratories

Practical activities

Workshops

Workload requirements

Workload

Clayton Campus:

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Malaysia Campus:

Three hours of lectures (or equivalent), 2 to 3 hours of other scheduled activities (1 to 3 hours of practicals and/or 2 to 3 hours of labs or practicals) and 7 to 8 hours of private study per week, for a total of 12 hours per week and 144 hours per semester not including the independent hours during mid-semester break, swot vac and exam periods. When the independent hours in these periods are included, the total workload is 204 hours per semester.

Other unit costs

The following item is mandatory for practical aspects of the unit and should be purchased at your own cost as you will be reusing them throughout your course.

Calculator

Availability in areas of study

E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Specialisation: Mechanical engineering