There are various types of energy such as heat, chemical, mechanical, electrical and nuclear energy and so on, but we need electrical and mechanical power for our convenient daily life. These power do not exist in environment as a natural resource, we should convert from primary energy resources into these power on demand. Energy conversion devices such as electrical generator, heat engine, heat pump, nuclear power, fuel cell, solar cell, light emitting devices, and battery allow us to supply power on demand as well as to store energy. The conversion efficiency of these devices is governed not only by thermodynamics but also by many technical reasons. Therefore, understandings of the energy conversion devices are of great importance in order to realize a sustainable society from a view point of energy supply. Students in the Energy Course learn the basics of the energy devices including fundamental working mechanism, advantage and disadvantage of technology, and state-of-art- devices through Interdisciplinary Principles of Energy Devices 1 and 2.
This course focuses on energy conversion devices using mechanical motion and heat. Operation principles and features of electrical generator, heat engine, heat pump technology, and nuclear power generation will be explained. Ingenious working mechanisms of these energy conversion devices facilitate students’ understanding on the thermodynamics as well as related technologies.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the basics of electric generators.
2. Explain the basics of heat engines.
3. Explain the basics of heat pump technology.
4. Explain the basics of nuclear power.
5. Explain the working mechanism and restriction of the energy conversion devices from a view point of the thermodynamics.
electrical generators, heat engine, heat pump, nuclear power
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
After the guidance of this lecture, each device will be explained in one or two classes.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Perspective of mechanical and thermal energy conversion devices | Explain the relationship between energy conversion and the second law of thermodynamics. |
Class 2 | Basics of electrical generators | Explain and understand the basics of electrical generators. |
Class 3 | Applications of electrical generators | Explain and understand the application of electrical generators. |
Class 4 | Basics of heat engine (gas turbine cycle) | Explain the operating principle of Brayton cycle and its role in energy conversion. |
Class 5 | Basics of heat engine (Rankine cycle) | Explain the operating principle of Rankine cycle and the concept of cascade utilization of energy. |
Class 6 | Basics of nuclear power | Explain the basics of nuclear power generation and nuclear fuel cycle. |
Class 7 | Basics and application of heat pump technology | Explain the basics of heat pump technology. |
Class 8 | Summary of this lecture | Explain the important points of each topic. |
There is no textbook. Reading materials will be distributed if needed.
Reference books will be shown if needed.
Evaluation will be based on the term end examination and the quiz which is assigned during the classes.
No prerequisites.