Print this page Fundamentals of Thermodynamics
A. Bhatia, B.E.
Course Outline
Ever wondered how
the refrigeration process, mechanical engines, power plants work or why chemical
reactions go one way and not the other! The answer to many such curious questions
is the study of "Thermodynamics". This 4-hr course provides the theoretical
fundamentals of thermodynamics, particularly the energy conversions heat to
work and work to heat are discussed. This course lays the groundwork for subsequent
studies in fields such as fluid mechanics, heat transfer and statistical thermodynamics,
and prepares readers to effectively apply thermodynamics in the practice of
engineering.
This course material is based entirely on US Department of Energy training materials
DOE-HDBK-1012/3-92, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow, Volume 1
of 3. The volumes 2 & 3 of the handbook have been separately listed.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to
enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Define the thermodynamics properties; temperature, pressure, entropy etc;
- Describe the type of thermodynamic systems, isolated, open and closed systems;
- Describe the thermodynamic processes, cyclic, reversible, non-reversible, adiabatic, isentropic, throttling, polytropic processes etc. ;
- Distinguish between extensive and intensive properties;
- Describe the processes of sublimation, vaporization, condensation and fusion;
- State and apply the first and second law of thermodynamics;
- Able to perform energy balances on all major components in the system such as heat exchangers;
- Evaluate system and component efficiencies using T-s or h-s diagram;
- Differentiate between the path for an ideal process and that for a real process on a T-s or h-s diagram;
- Apply the ideal gas laws to solve for the unknown pressure, temperature, or volume;
- Calculate the work done in constant pressure and constant volume processes; and
- Describe the
effects of pressure and temperature changes on confined fluids.
This course is aimed at students, mechanical and process engineers, HVAC and facility designers, contractors, estimators, energy auditors, plant layout professionals and general audience.
Course Introduction
Thermodynamics may be described as the science of transformations of energy. The theory is applied to pure substances and their transitions from one state of aggregation (solid, liquid, gas) to another.
In this course,
you are required to study the following DOE-HDBK-1012/3-92, Thermodynamics,
Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow, Volume 1 of 3. The main headings are: forms of
energy, the thermodynamic laws, thermodynamic state functions and their dependence
of temperature, pressure and volume, thermodynamic properties of pure substances
and equilibrium between states of aggregation of pure substances. The course
also deals with applications, such as quantitative interpretations of state
diagrams for perfect gases and real liquid-vapor mixtures. It also describes
some important heat-power engines.
Course Content
This course is based entirely on US Department of Energy training materials (US Department of Energy training materials DOE-HDBK-1012/3-92, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow, Volume 1 of 3).
The link to the document is Fundamentals of Thermodynamics.
Course Summary
Thermodynamics
deals with the study of the laws that govern the conversion of energy from one
form to another, the direction in which heat will flow, and the availability
of energy to do work. It is based on the concept that in an isolated system
anywhere in the universe, there is a measurable quantity of energy called the
internal energy (U) of the system. This is the total kinetic and potential energy
of the atoms and molecules of the system of all kinds that can be transferred
directly as heat. The value of U can only be changed, if the system ceases to
be isolated. In these circumstances U can change by the transfer of mass to
or from the system, the transfer of heat (Q) to or from the system, or by work
(W) being done on or by the system. For an adiabatic (Q=0) system of constant
mass, D U=W. By convention, W is taken to be positive if work s done on the system
and negative if work is done by the system. For non-adiabatic systems of constant
mass, D
U = Q + W. This statement, which is equivalent to the law of conservation
of energy, is known as the first law of thermodynamics.
All natural process conforms to this law, but not all processes conforming to
it can occur in nature. Most natural processes are irreversible, i.e. they will
proceed in one direction. The direction that a natural process can take is the
subject of the second law of thermodynamics, which can be stated in a variety
of ways. Rudolf Clausius stated the law in two ways: "heat cannot be transferred
from one body to a second body at a higher temperature without producing some
other effect" and "the entropy of a closed system increases with time".
These statements introduce the thermodynamic concepts of temperature (T) and
entropy (S), both of which are parameters determining the direction in which
an irreversible process can go. The temperature of the body or system determines
whether heat will flow into it or out of it; its entropy is a measure of the
unavailability of its energy to do work. Thus T and S determine the relationship
between Q and W in the statement of the first law. This is usually presented
by stating the second law in the form D U = TD S - W.
The second law if concerned with changes in entropy (D S). The third law of thermodynamics
provides an absolute scale of values for entropy by stating that for changes
involving only perfect crystalline solids at absolute zero, the change of the
total entropy is zero. This law enables absolute values to be stated for entropies.
One other law is used in thermodynamics. Because it is fundamental to, and assumed
by, the other laws of thermodynamics, it is usually known as the zeroth law
of thermodynamics. This law states that when two bodies are each separately
in thermal equilibrium with a third body, then all three bodies is in thermal
equilibrium.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
