Module Details

Module Code: PHYS7020
Title: Thermo and Fluid Physics
Long Title: Thermodynamics and Fluids
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 2 - 2021/22 ( January 2022 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4411 - Physics
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module aims to introduce fundamental concepts in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics particularly relevant to the environmental science and sustainable technology programme.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Explain and understand concepts relating to thermodynamics and fluid mechanics in energy monitoring and industrial applications
LO2 Solve problems relating to fluid mechanics and thermodynamics for applications in energy monitoring (e.g. heat pumps, manufacturing industry).
LO3 Apply relevant concepts of fluid behaviour and thermodynamics in industrial processing and environmental monitoring applications
LO4 Interpret and present thermodynamic and fluid mechanics data representative of the environmental monitoring sector in a rigorous and scientific manner.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
A fundamental level module in Physics should be taken by the learner in advance of taking this module.
 
Indicative Content
1. Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics: overview and applications
Microscopic and macroscopic thermodynamic systems; heat, energy & power, temperature and scales; pressure, volume, gas vs liquid properties overview, gas and fluid flow measurement units. Introductory examples of thermodynamic and fluid dynamic applications (heating systems, refrigeration, pumps, liquid and gas manifolds), data sheets.
2. Fundamentals and Laws of Thermodynamics
Quasi-static processes, heat and work, internal energy, first principle of thermdynamics, review concept of entropy, second law of thermodynamics, enthalpy, Gibbs Free energy, chemical potential, sample chemical reaction equations, reaction coefficient, pressure-volume heat cycle of a piston
3. Heat and Gases
Equation of state, kinetic theory and ideal gas, Boltzmann distribution and equipartition of energy in a gas, internal energy of a gas, review power vs intensity for sound , sound energy transfer through a gas, adiabatic process and adiabatic processes, specific heat capacity of a gas, pressure-temperature phase diagrams, vapour pressure, Clausius-Clapeyron equation, applications in heatpumps and refrigerators
4. Introduction to fluid mechanics
Physical properties of fluids; density; specific weight; specific volume; specific gravity; compressibility; elasticity; surface tension; capillarity; vapour pressure; ideal and real fluids; concept of shear stress and viscosity; Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.
5. Fluid statics and kinematics
Pressure-density-height relationship; pressure on plane and curved surface; centre of pressure; buoyancy; Archimedes principle examples, stability of immersed and floating bodies. Steady and unsteady flow regimes, uniform and non-uniform, laminar and turbulent flows and enclosed flows; Reynolds number
6. Fluid dynamics theory and applications
Basic equations: Equation of continuity; One-dimensional Euler’s equation of motion and its integration to obtain Bernoulli’s equation and momentum equation. Bernouilli equation examples: pipework and pump specification, heating systems, Venturi gauges
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
SAQ-type theory assessment in thermodynamics
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
SAQ-type theory assessment in fluid mechanics
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Written report and presentation on a topic related to an industrial process focusing on the the thermodynamics and fluid physics aspects of the process
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 25
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
assessment of application of theory through problem solving and theory simulation assignments. Up to 6 assignments.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures in thermodynamics and fluids Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Worked examples and problem solving tutorials in thermodynamics, fluids and data interpretation Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures in thermodynamics and fluids Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Problem solving tutorials in thermodynamics and fluids Every Week 1.00 1
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Worked examples in thermodynamics, fluids and data interpretation Every Week 1.00 1
Independent Learning Non Contact Study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Subrata Bhattacharjee. (2015), Thermodynamics: An Interactive Approach,, Pearson Education, [ISBN: 9781292113746].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • H. C. Van Ness. (1983), Understanding thermodynamics, Dover, New York, [ISBN: 978-0486632773].
  • Robert W. Fox, Philip J. Pritchard, Alan T. McDonald. (2016), Introduction to fluid mechanics, 9th. John Wiley, Hoboken, N.J., [ISBN: 978-0471742999].
  • Philip J. Pritchard. (2011), Fox and McDonald's Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, Wiley, [ISBN: 978-0470547557].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SESST_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology 4 Mandatory
CR_SINEN_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Instrument Engineering 4 Mandatory