Energy Engineering in Power Plants and Transportation Systems

Catalog description

Most energy consumed in the U.S. and in the world is produced using thermal-to-mechanical energy conversion. Through problem sets and a semester-long group project, students will learn the engineering principles that govern how heat is converted to mechanical power in electric power plants, jet aircraft, and internal combustion engines. Topics covered include a review of thermodynamics and basic power cycles, supercritical, combined, and hybrid cycles, cogeneration, jet propulsion, and reciprocating internal combustion engines. A brief introduction to desalination and combustion is also included. The material in this course will provide students a foundation important for industrial and research employment in energy engineering.