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Unit of study_
MECH5265: Combustion
2025 unit information
This unit of study aims to teach the basic principles of combustion highlighting the role of chemical kinetics, fluid mechanics, and molecular transport in determining the structure of flames. Students will become familiar with laminar and turbulent combustion of gaseous and liquid fuels including the formation of pollutants. Students will also be briefly introduced to various applications such as internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and fires. This unit will cover equilibrium compositions, flammability limits, simple chemically reacting systems, detailed chemical kinetics, and the basic theory underlying laminar and turbulent combustion for both premixed and non-premixed cases. There will be an introduction to droplet and spray combustion, the concept of mixture fraction for non-premixed flames, combustion in engines and gas turbines as well as the formation of pollutants. New concepts for clean modern engines, with increasing reliance on renewable energy, are highlighted. Issues relating to buoyant fires and plumes, including fire suppression may also be covered.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Engineering
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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(MECH3260 or MECH8260 or MECH9260) and (MECH3261 or MECH8261 or MECH9261) or equivalent study at another institution |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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MECH4265 or MECH8265 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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Students are expected to be familiar with the basic laws of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Understand combustion modes including laminar, turbulent, diffusion and premixed flames.
- LO2. Analyse a simple chemically reaction system and calculate the equilibrium composition.
- LO3. Compute the compositional structure of laminar flames including the formation of pollutants.
- LO4. Awareness of environmental issues, the advent of renewable, green fuels and sustainable combustion
- LO5. Appreciation of future trends in modern engines and turbines contributing to decarbonization through the use of clean fuels.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Departmental permission requirements
If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.
You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.
Read our information on departmental permission.
Additional advice
This unit requires departmental permission to ensure appropriate foundational knowledge is met. If the prerequisite unit/s were completed at the University of Sydney or if you are enrolled in the Master of Engineering, your request will be approved without supporting documentation being required. If you have completed studies at another institution, you must include your transcript when submitting your permission request for review by the Faculty.
