Duration
24h Th, 24h Pr, 12h Proj.
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course provides an in-depth treatment of the fundamental concepts introduced in the Applied Thermodynamics course (MECA0002), particularly those related to the conversion of heat into mechanical work. The operating principles of different types of thermodynamic cycles (steam, gas, and combined cycles) are examined in detail.
Mass and energy balance analyses are then used to introduce the various components of thermal power plants, together with their governing equations and specific operating characteristics, in order to develop design and steady-state performance simulation models.
Applications involving different types of power plants are used to support the optimization of performance under both nominal and part-load operating conditions.
More specifically, the technologies covered in this course are:
- Steam power plants for biomass, coal, nuclear energy, solar energy, and geothermal energy. Particular attention is given to the study of high-pressure steam generation.
- Gas turbines, with or without regeneration.
- Internal combustion engines.
- Combined-cycle power plants (dual-steam and gas-steam cycles).
- Combined heat and power (CHP) generation.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of this course, the student will have mastered the techniques used to model the components involved in steam, gas, and combined cycles. The student will also be able to model losses and off-design operating conditions.
The student will be able to integrate these various components and optimize their characteristics in order to maximize the overall energy efficiency of the cycle. The student will also have learned how to account for the trade-off between operating and investment costs, as well as environmental constraints.
The student will thus be able to modify and/or develop innovative thermodynamic cycles tailored to specific engineering challenges, using open-source simulation and computational tools.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The course makes use of some concepts introduced in the course « Applied Thermodynamics and Introduction to Heat Engines » (MECA0002-1). The student should be familiar with the concepts derived from the first and second law of Thermodynamic and their applications to open systems in steady-state regime.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is based on both theory sessions (30h) and exercise sessions (30h).
- The general concepts and their formal expression are exposed during the theory sessions. Theoretical analysis is discussed and illustrated using practical applications from the industry.
- During the exercise sessions, the students are invited to practice the techniques introduced during the theory sessions allowing the students to cope with design and optimization of power cycles in the frame of pre-studies.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The course is delivered through 12 sessions, each consisting of a first part devoted to theory and a second part devoted to exercises. During the exercise sessions, Python is proposed as the programming language, although graphical methods are also used, allowing each student to choose the working method best suited to them.
Computer codes are provided to the students. Some of these examples include a graphical user interface, enabling students to deepen their understanding of the course through practical applications.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Slides are available for theory and exercise sessions.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam
Further information:
A written test is organized for the exercise and an oral test for the theory.
The global evaluation is obtained by weighting the evaluation of the written test (60%) and the oral evaluation (40%).
The second session exam consists in one unique test covering all topics.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The precise schedule will be communicated during the first lecture.
Contacts
Pierre DEWALLEF
Laboratoire de Thermodynamique, B49
tél : +32 (0)4 366 99 95
p.dewallef@uliege.be