Checking date: 28/03/2023


Course: 2023/2024

Power plants and heat engines
(15734)
Bachelor in Industrial Technologies Engineering (Plan: 418 - Estudio: 256)


Coordinating teacher: GONZALEZ GOMEZ, PEDRO ANGEL

Department assigned to the subject: Thermal and Fluids Engineering Department

Type: Electives
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
Thermal Engineering Heat Transfer
Objectives
The aim of this course is to understand the thermodynamic cycles and technology used in heat engines and power plants. This includes the capability of analyzing the behaviour of thermal engines, turbomachinery, boilers, burners and combustion chambers as components of these systems. A the end of the course the student must be able to: - Identify the basic elements of a power plant, their functionality and working conditions. - Understand the parameters and processes involved in these installations and evaluate their performance - Understand the technology corresponding to each case. - Analyze the energy saving possibilities and the environmental impact for each heat engine and power plant described in the course. As for the different competences acquired through the lectures, it is worth to distinguish between specific and general skills. With regard to specific competences the student must be able to: - Define the thermodynamic layout and magnitudes of a power plant. - Identify the different types of reciprocating engines and power plant components (turbomachinery, boilers, combustion chambers, etc.) and subsystems. - Establish the applicability frame of the different heat engines. - Evaluate the environmental impact of the use of different technologies for power generation. The general skills trained during the course are: - Problem solving methodology. - The identification of the relevant information that characterize power generation installations. - Group work abilities to face complex engineering subjects After completing the course, the student should have: - A critical attitude towards identifying and evaluating the operation of basic equipment of an installation. - A collaborative attitude that will allow obtaining information and knowledge from other agents to perform complex tasks.
Skills and learning outcomes
CB1. Students have demonstrated possession and understanding of knowledge in an area of study that builds on the foundation of general secondary education, and is usually at a level that, while relying on advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting edge of their field of study CB2. Students are able to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the competences usually demonstrated through the development and defence of arguments and problem solving within their field of study. CB3. Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgements which include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues. CB5. Students will have developed the learning skills necessary to undertake further study with a high degree of autonomy. CG1. Ability to solve problems with initiative, decision-making, creativity, critical reasoning and to communicate and transmit knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of Industrial Engineering. CG3. Ability to design a system, component or process in the field of Industrial Technologies to meet the required specifications CG4. Knowledge and ability to apply current legislation as well as the specifications, regulations and mandatory standards in the field of Industrial Engineering. CG5. Adequate knowledge of the concept of company, institutional and legal framework of the company. Organisation and management of companies. CG6. Applied knowledge of company organisation. CG8. Knowledge and ability to apply quality principles and methods. CG9. Knowledge and ability to apply computational and experimental tools for the analysis and quantification of Industrial Engineering problems. RA1. Knowledge and understanding: Have basic knowledge and understanding of science, mathematics and engineering within the industrial field, as well as knowledge and understanding of Mechanics, Solid and Structural Mechanics, Thermal Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Production Systems, Electronics and Automation, Industrial Organisation and Electrical Engineering. RA2. Engineering Analysis: To be able to identify engineering problems within the industrial field, recognise specifications, establish different resolution methods and select the most appropriate one for their solution RA3. Engineering Design: To be able to design industrial products that comply with the required specifications, collaborating with professionals in related technologies within multidisciplinary teams. RA5. Engineering Applications: To be able to apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems and design devices or processes in the field of industrial engineering in accordance with criteria of cost, quality, safety, efficiency and respect for the environment. RA6. Transversal Skills: To have the necessary skills for the practice of engineering in today's society.
Description of contents: programme
This is a course that includes a base of foundations and a technological base. The program is divided into the following parts: FIRST PART (power plants based on Brayton and Rankine cycles): - Brayton and Rankine cycles for power production, improved cycles.      -Brayton simple, inter-cooled, with reheating, regenerative, complex and closed cycles. Study of the different types of combustion chambers. Triangle of speeds in compressor and turbine, as well as operating limitations in gas turbines due to the thermal resistance of the blades. Blade cooling systems.      -Rankine simple, reheating, regeneration (extractions of steam and drainages). Complete cycles. Study of the parts of a boiler and the different types of condensation. Analysis of the operation of the Feed Water Heater in the regenerative power generation cycles. Parameters Drain Cooling Approach and Terminal Temperature Difference. - Combined cycles:     - Study of the operation of combined cycles. Recovery boiler analysis of 1 pressure level. Description of recovery boilers with two and three pressure levels. SECOND PART -Motors of internal combustion: Description and analysis of internal combustion thermodynamic cycles. Forced ignition engines (MIF) and spontaneous ignition engines (MIE). Engine architecture. Description of operation of the main parts of a combustion engine: cylinder-piston assembly, distribution (camshaft, crankshaft), valve adjustment, cooling. Yields in MCI, specific, indicated, mechanical. Overfeeding of MCI, variable geometry. THIRD PART - Principles of exergy and exergoeconomics applied to power generation cycles. FOURTH PART -Technologies:      -Fundamentals of nuclear energy (Position of nuclear energy in the world and in Spain, fuel, uranium enrichment, types of reactors (PWR, BWR), thermodynamic cycle, reaction control, refrigeration.      -Fundamentals of concentration solar power plants: Global energy production. CO2 emissions. Paris Conference on Climate. European energy state. Concentrating solar energy: Solar energy, absorption temperature effect, heat transfer fluid, energy storage system, concentration technologies, parabolic trough, linear fresnel, Solar tower, dish Stirling.
Learning activities and methodology
The teaching methodology will include: 1) Magisterial classes, where the knowledge that students should acquire will be presented. To facilitate their development, students will receive support material and information on basic and reference manuals that will allow them to complete and deepen relevant topics that are of interest to them. 2) Problem solving, in relation to the knowledge that will be presented and especially in relation to the specific skills that students must develop. 3) Resolution of exercises by the student that will serve to strengthen and contrast with reality the knowledge obtained, allowing them to self-assess their knowledge, acquire the necessary skills and develop technical creativity. The sharing of solutions given by students to engineering problems and their joint correction should serve to strengthen knowledge and develop the ability to analyze and communicate the relevant information for problem solving. In addition, the sharing will favor the exchange of critical opinions both between teacher and students and between students.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 60
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 40
Calendar of Continuous assessment
Basic Bibliography
  • Breeze, Paul A.. Power generation technologies. Elsevier. 2005
  • El-Wakil, M. Power plant technology. McGraw-Hill. 1984
  • Heywood J.B.. Internal combustion engine fundamentals. McGraw-Hill. 2008
  • Horlock J.H.. Combined power plants. Pergamon Press. 1992
  • Moran M.J., Shapiro H.N.. Fundamentos de termodinámica técnica. Reverte. 2004

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.