Course Description
Background InformationThe ideal, simple and basic power cycles (Carnot Cycle, Brayton Cycle for both power and propulsion applications, Otto Cycle and Diesel Cycle) and ideal power cycle components/processes (compression, combustion and expansion) are presented in this course material. In the presented power cycles and power cycle components/process analysis, air is used as the working fluid.
For each power cycle thermal efficiency derivation is presented with a simple mathematical approach. Also, for each power cycle, a T - s diagram and power cycle major performance trends (thermal efficiency, specific power output and power output) are plotted in a few figures as a function of compression ratio, turbine inlet temperature and/or final combustion temperature and working fluid mass flow rate. It should be noted that this course material does not deal with costs (capital, operational or maintenance).
For compression and expansion, the technical performance of mentioned power cycle components/processes is presented with a given relationship between pressure and temperature. While for combustion, the technical performance at stoichiometric conditions is presented knowing the enthalpy values for combustion reactants and products, given as a function of temperature. This course material provides the compression and expansion T - s diagrams and their major performance trends plotted in a few figures as a function of compression and expansion pressure ratio and working fluid mass flow rate. For each combustion case considered, combustion products composition on both weight and mole basis, flame temperature, stoichiometric oxidant to fuel ratio and fuel higher heating value (HHV) are presented in tabular form and plotted in a few figures.
Course ObjectivesIn this course material, the student gets familiar with the ideal simple and basic power cycles and power cycle components/processes and their T - s and h - T diagrams, operation and major performance trends.
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand basic energy conversion engineering assumptions and equations
- Know basic elements of Carnot Cycle, Brayton Cycle, Otto Cycle, Diesel Cycle, compression, combustion and expansion processes and their T - s , p - V and h - T diagrams
- Be familiar with Carnot Cycle, Brayton Cycle, Otto Cycle, Diesel Cycle, compression, combustion and expansion operation
- Understand general Carnot Cycle, Brayton Cycle, Otto Cycle, Diesel Cycle, compression, combustion and expansion performance trends
Continuing Education InformationWhen the student is done with the the Power Cycles and Power Cycle Components/Processes Analysis course material, he/she needs to take a thirty (30) question quiz. Upon successful completion of the quiz, Professional (Licensed) Engineers will get 3 hours of credit.
Furthermore, upon successful quiz completion, Engineering Software will provide a copy of the Course Certificate in a PDF form either in an e-mail directly as an attachment and/or providing a URL for it; Engineering Software can always mail a copy of the Course Certificate to the student and/or mail it where it needs to go for the record.
Note: Students from Florida, Louisiana, New York and North Carolina states should consult their State Licensing Boards for pre-approval of all continuing education.
It is the responsibility of the individual learner to be sure that he or she is meeting continuing education requirements for each license and corresponding renewal period!