Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/thermodynamics-intro

Introduction

**Course Review: Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There** If you're interested in one of the most fundamental and applicable branches of engineering, look no further than Coursera's course "Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There." This well-structured course promises to take you through the core principles of thermodynamics, equipping you with a robust understanding of energy transfer systems. Whether you are an engineering student, a professional looking to refresh your knowledge, or a curious learner, this course offers valuable insights into the science of energy. ### Course Overview The course begins by laying the groundwork for understanding energy and power supply and demand on a global scale. It emphasizes the significance of mastering units and categorization of systems (open/closed, steady state/transient), which is vital for effective analysis. The pace and organization of the syllabus are commendable as they progressively build on complex concepts. Throughout its eight-week structure, students dive into the fundamental definitions of energy transfer, the First Law of Thermodynamics (Conservation of Energy), and various thermodynamic properties such as specific heats, internal energy, and enthalpy. Notably, the course challenges you to understand transient systems, moving into more complex analyses of power plants and the Second Law of Thermodynamics. ### Detailed Breakdown of Syllabus 1. **Week 1**: Contextualizes energy and power supply globally. A fantastic start that emphasizes unit usage and system classification, essential skills for anyone engaging in energy systems analysis. 2. **Week 2**: Focuses on energy transfer definitions and introduces state diagrams. By the end, you will grasp the significance of the First Law of Thermodynamics, providing a solid foundation for further exploration. 3. **Week 3**: Covers crucial thermodynamic properties, which may seem daunting but are well-unpacked through practical examples and exercises. Practice is highly encouraged, and this focus on problem-solving ensures lasting understanding. 4. **Week 4**: Introduces combined application of mass and energy conservation for system analysis, fostering critical thinking about common energy transfer devices. 5. **Week 5**: Delves into transient systems, challenging students with dynamic energy transfer problems relevant to modern energy grids. This week is especially timely, considering the rise of renewable energy sources. 6. **Week 6**: Explores the Second Law of Thermodynamics, a pivotal concept. Though it only scratches the surface, it encourages further exploration, unlocking discussions around entropy and efficiency. 7. **Week 7**: Focuses on the Rankine power plant as a primary design model. The course encourages innovative thinking through co-generation, emphasizing sustainability and potential entrepreneurial ventures. 8. **Week 8**: Concludes with energy carriers, discussing the thermodynamic properties of materials that dominate the current energy landscape. You are left with nuanced insights into challenges and the future of energy systems. ### Recommendations This course is particularly recommended for: - **Engineering Students**: Those pursuing degrees in mechanical, environmental, or energy engineering will find this course extraordinarily beneficial, as it aligns closely with core curriculum requirements. - **Professionals in Energy Sector**: Engineers working in renewable energy or traditional energy sectors will gain practical knowledge that can be directly applied to real-world scenarios. - **Curious Learners**: Anyone with a passion for understanding how energy systems work will appreciate the course's structured approach to complex concepts. ### Conclusion "Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There" is an exemplary course on Coursera. It balances theoretical foundations with practical applications, effectively preparing you to understand and analyze energy transfer systems critically. With its comprehensive content, engaging teaching methods, and hands-on assignments, this course is a must for anyone interested in the dynamic world of thermodynamics. If you are eager to dive into the science of energy and develop applicable skills, I highly recommend enrolling in this course.

Syllabus

Week 1

In this module, we frame the context of energy and power supply and demand around the world. You will learn that understanding and correctly using units are critical skills for successfully analyzing energy systems. It is also important to be able to identify and categorize systems as “open” or “closed” and “steady state” or “transient”. Thermodynamics is a topic that is very notation intense, but the notation is very helpful as a check on our assumptions and our mathematics. Additionally, in this module we will refresh our understanding of some common thermodynamic properties.

In this module, we will get started with the fundamental definitions for energy transfer, including the definitions of work transfer and heat transfer. We will also show (by example) how state diagrams are valuable for explaining energy transfer processes. Then, we have all the tools we need to define the 1st Law of Thermodynamics also called the Conservation of Energy. Your second assignment will emphasize these principles and skills.

In this module, we introduce our first abstract concepts of thermodynamics properties – including the specific heats, internal energy, and enthalpy. It will take some time for you to become familiar with what these properties represent and how we use these properties. For example, internal energy and enthalpy are related to temperature and pressure, but they are two distinct thermodynamic properties. One of the hardest concepts of thermodynamics is relating the independent thermodynamic properties to each other. We have to become experts at these state relations in order to be successful in our analysis of energy systems. There are several common approximations, including the ideal gas model, which we will use in this class. The key to determining thermodynamic properties is practice, practice, practice! Do as many examples as you can.

In this module we introduce the combined application of the Conservation of Mass and the Conservation of Energy for system analysis. We also review the common assumptions for typical energy transfer devices, like heat exchangers, pumps and turbines. Together these components will form the basis for all power plants used around the world.

In this module, we tackle some of the most difficult systems to analyze – transient or time-varying systems. Any system where the energy transfer changes as a function of time requires transient analysis. Not only are these difficult problems to analyze, they are also difficult systems to design and interrogate. Some important transient problems include the start-up of a gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. Such transients are becoming more integral to the electrical power grid due to the introduction of more renewable power sources which are also more intermittent. These are very relevant and timely topics for the stationary power sector.

In this module, we introduce some of the concepts of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. We will only discuss a small fraction of the vast material that falls under the topic of the Second Law. I encourage you to explore beyond our course material for very interesting discussions on the outcomes of the Second Law which include entropy, the absolute temperature scale and Carnot cycles. The most important aspect for our class, is that the Second Law provides a basis for defining the theoretical maximums and minimums for processes. Using these limits, we can define device and system efficiencies. We demonstrate these limits with examples of basic power plants. A good “take-home” exercise is to apply these limits to some of the devices and systems you see every day around you.

In this module we focus on in-depth analysis of a Rankine power plant. The Rankine power plant is the fundamental design for stationary power generation when the working fluid is water (or steam) and the energy carrier is nuclear, coal, gas, or thermal solar power. We also learn that conventional power plants generate a lot of waste heat! Co-generation is a great way to use that waste heat. Can you think of a few ways you might capture waste heat and use it productively? Then you might have your next environmentally sustainable business venture!

In this module, we have a brief discussion of energy carriers – including fossil fuels and battery materials. These lectures highlight the thermodynamic properties of these energy carriers and storage materials that make these systems so attractive and at the same time, so difficult to replace. As this is our last module of the course, I hope you have enjoyed this Introduction to Thermodynamics and that you have learned some new skills. Good luck on all your adventures in energy systems!,