2024

Thermal Equipment

Name: Thermal Equipment
Code: EME13233L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area: Mechanical Engineering

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

The students should be able to apply in an integrated manner the previous knowledge on thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer to thermal equipment, namely equipment for industrial heat and cold production and air conditioning. They should know the constitution, main characteristics, operating principles and performance of several industrial and domestic/service sector thermal equipment used in the industry and the residential and services sector. The students will acquire the typical language of thermal equipment and the ability to keep themselves up to date. They should be able to write an essay according to universally accepted and used rules and with the resource of computer software. The students should be able to present it orally and answer when asked about it.

Contents

1. Thermal energy needs: Industrial processes with heat or cold needs. Temperature levels. Fuels and energy carriers. Air conditioning systems.
2. Systems for heat generation: Steam generators, boilers, furnaces, heat pumps. Heat recovery. Co-generation. Thermal fluids.
3. Systems for cold generation: Refrigeration and refrigeration systems. Refrigerants. Carnot refrigeration cycle. COP. Vapor compression cycle. Absorption cycle. Heat Pumps.
4. Gas mixtures: Ideal gas mixtures and humid air. Thermodynamic properties of mixtures. Thermal Comfort. Psychometry applications. Psychrometric charts. Air-conditioning process analysis. Cooling towers.

Teaching Methods

The course is essentially based on theoretical and theoretical-practical classes where the topics covered will be explained and discussed and also where applied problems are solved. The learning process should be active and should stimulate students to research and learn more about the topics discussed in the classroom. The individual work of students, supported by the recommended bibliography is encouraged.

Assessment

The main assessment has the form of a final written exam [E] (with the option for two tests [T1, T2]). This assessment is complemented by the completion of a assignment [W] with the preparation of a technical report and presentation and discussion in the classroom.

If the student chooses the continuous assessment option, the final grade [FG] is calculated as follows:
FG=0.4xT1+0.4xT2+0.2xW

If the student chooses the final assessment option, the final grade [FG] is calculated as follows:
FG=0.8xE+0.2xW

Minimum marks:
Work - 10/20
Tests and exam - 7.5/20

Teaching Staff