OVERVIEW

The course provides students with a great opportunity to learn more about commercial software tools in the analysis and simulation of thermal systems. Briefly, the students will achieve skills in the use of software devoted to the solution of a large selection of practical problems: from thermodynamics to simple fluid dynamics applications,from lumped analysis of thermal systems (electro-thermal analogy) to simple economic assessment.

Lessons will be given in the informatic room of the faculty

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides students with a great opportunity to learn more about commercial software tools in the analysis and simulation of thermal systems. Briefly, the students will achieve skills in the use of software devoted to the solution of a large selection of practical problems: from thermodynamics to simple fluid dynamics applications,from lumped analysis of thermal systems (electro-thermal analogy) to simple economic assessment.

Lessons will be given in the informatic room of the faculty

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Operational skills

At the end of the course the student will have understood
the use of the thermodynamic (EES) and general purpose (Excel VBA) software.

He will be able to apply such software to the resolution
of elementary problems of thermodynamics of fluids (gases, liquids, two-phase), and of heat transfer.

It will be able to to carry out  first-principle analysis of energy conversion plants, direct and inverse, and to do simple economic analysis (VAN, Pay back)

It will be able to make comparisons between different possible solutions and to evaluate measures to improve the performance, both energetic and economic, of these systems.

PREREQUISITES

Basic notions of thermodynamics and heat transfer

TEACHING METHODS

The course will be  held in the informatic classroom. Students are encouraged to form little work groups (max 3 students). During the course period, these groups will face  energetic and economic problems, will solve them and complete short relations about used methodology and obtained results.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Thermodynamics and heat transfer recalls

- conservation equations, boundary conditions, balances, radiation convection conduction

Use of EES software

- simple introductory problems

- solution of thermodynamic and thermal cycles (EES)

- thermal and economic (VBA)  analysis of plants for the production of electrical and thermal energy

Use of excel and VBA

- use of the sheet part of .xls file for creating graphs and simple formulas

- basic programming concepts, in VBA context, to solve simple numerical problems

- subroutines, for-next and do-loop cycles, if then else, vectors and matrices, writing and reading on associated sheet

- simple economic analysis of a plant

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Thermodynamics– Guglielmini-Milano, Dispense di Fisica Tecnica;

Heat transfer – Bibliographic material is available at DIPTEM/TEC  library;

Course-related resources will be provided on the DIME AulaWeb site https://dime.aulaweb.unige.it/course/index.php?categoryid=63

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FEDERICO SCARPA (President)

VINCENZO BIANCO

LUCA ANTONIO TAGLIAFICO

LESSONS

Class schedule

THERMAL SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The assessment is based on the project / report and the exam test. The latter is divided in two phases without interruption; one practice, on PC, the other oral.

The overall score is based on the evaluation of the relation (s) (15 points) and the practical / oral test (15).

Only registered students are admitted. The vote is recorded electronically at the end of the day or as soon as possible.

The report expires at the end of March the following year (in the sense that it must be delivered before that date)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The practical test on PC is used to verify the student's expertise in solving a simple technical problem through the use of the EES and Excel software. This test has a typical duration of 10/15 minutes. The positive outcome of the practical test is a prerequisite for passing the exam. 

The oral test is at the blackboard (typical duration 5/10 minutes): The student is required to model a simple thermal system. During this test the student may be asked for insights related to relationships. The thermodynamics of cycles and elementary notions of heat transfer can be subject to verification.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Pre-requisites :

Mathematical analysis 1, General physics, Applied Thermodynamics, Energetics and Heat Transfer.