Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop an understanding of: 1) The principles of thermodynamics- energy, entropy and exergy balances- applied to pure substances, mixtures and combustion and the application of these principles to engineering processes, power and refrigeration systems. 2) The principles of heat transfer- conductive, convective, radiative heat transfer- in the context of a variety of physical situations and the application of these principles in order to design and size engineering equipment and analyse engineering processes. Course content includes: 1) Thermodynamics- properties of matter, energy, entropy and exergy balances for closed and steady state flow systems, mixtures, mixing and separation, psychrometry and air-conditioning and combustion- stoichiometry, first and second law analysis of reacting systems. 2) Heat Transfer- conduction, thermal circuits, general conduction equation, conduction through cylindrical bodies and fins, heat exchangers, transient conduction including analytic solutions, forced convection and natural convection, boiling and radiation- spectrum, intensity, surface radiative properties, environmental radiation, solar radiation. At the end of this unit students will be able to: 1) Thermodynamics- apply the principles of thermodynamics and heat transfer to engineering situations; have the ability to tackle and solve a range of problems involving thermodynamic cycles, devices such as compressors and turbines, mixtures, air conditioning, combustion. 2) Heat Transfer- have the ability to tackle and solve a range of heat transfer problems including heat exchangers, cooling by fluids, quenching, insulation and solar radiation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MECH9260
Assumed knowledge ?	Fundamentals of thermodynamics are needed to begin this more advanced course.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Michael Kirkpatrick, michael.kirkpatrick@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Michael Kirkpatrick, michael.kirkpatrick@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Open book)	Final exam Open book exam	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Spark ignition engine laboratory Participate in lab class and submit written responses to questions.	5%	Multiple weeks	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Gas turbine engine laboratory Participate in lab class and submit written responses to questions.	5%	Multiple weeks	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Thermodynamics quiz 1 Paper quiz	10%	Week 03	TBA: ~35 - 45 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Thermodynamics quiz 2 Paper quiz	10%	Week 06	TBA: ~35 - 45 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Heat transfer quiz 1 Paper quiz	10%	Week 09	TBA: ~35 - 45 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Heat transfer quiz 2 Paper quiz	10%	Week 11	TBA: ~35 - 45 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	T1 Review: Properties, energy, entropy	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	T2 Exergy / T3 Mixtures	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	T1 - T3 Worked example	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	T4 Air conditioning and Psychrometry	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	T5 Combustion	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	T6 Power cycles	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	H1 Steady state conduction	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	H2 Transient conduction / H2 Worked example	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	H3 heat exchangers / H3 worked example	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	H4 Forced convection	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	H5 Natural convection / H4 - 5 Worked example	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	H6 Radiation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures: Material will be presented with an emphasis on explaining concepts and presenting worked solutions of sample problems.

Tutorials: Tutors will work through separate tutorial problems with the class. They will use these problems as a vehicle to reinforce the theory and problem solving techniques required for this course.

Laboratories: There are two engine experiments: gas turbine and spark ignition. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the thermodynamic cycles and characteristics of these engines before the laboratory. During the laboratory there will be discussion of the engines, their details, their performance and what the objectives of the tests are. Students will analyse and discuss the results with the assistance of the demonstrator during the laboratory session.

Independent Study: Homework assignments. Understanding of these assignments will be assessed through the quizzes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Bergman, Lavine, Incropera & De Witt, Fundamentals of Heat & Mass Transfer (6th or later). John Wiley & Sons.

Cengel & Boles, Thermodynamics - An Engineering Approach (5th or later). McGraw Hill.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. develop an understanding of the principles of thermodynamic cycles, gas mixtures, combustion and thermochemistry applied to engineering processes, power and refrigeration systems.
LO2. apply the principles of thermodynamics and heat transfer to real engineering situations. Ability to tackle and solve a range of complex thermodynamics cycles, air conditioning, combustion and problems involving gas mixtures
LO3. solve a range of heat transfer problems including finned heat exchangers, cooling by fluids, quenching, insulation and solar radiation
LO4. understand heat transfer equipment design and determine the appropriate approach to problems and the type of solution needed, analytical or numerical
LO5. arrive at a solution and predict heat transfer rates and be able to design and size heat transfer equipment

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Some new tutorial problems added.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

See documentation on Canvas site for WHS requirements of laboratory sessions.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MECH8260: Thermal Engineering 2

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect