Note: This unit is an archived version! See Overview tab for delivered versions.
MECH4241: Energy and the Environment (2013 - Semester 1)
| Unit: | MECH4241: Energy and the Environment (6 CP) |
| Mode: | Normal-Day |
| On Offer: | Yes |
| Level: | Senior Advanced |
| Faculty/School: | School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering |
| Unit Coordinator/s: |
Professor Behnia, Masud
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| Session options: | Semester 1 |
| Versions for this Unit: |
| Campus: | Camperdown/Darlington |
| Pre-Requisites: | [24 credits of 3rd year units of study]. |
| Brief Handbook Description: | This unit is suitable for any engineering discipline student who is interested in developing an understanding of analysis and design in energy, power generation, environment and relevant economic issues. The aim is to acquaint students with the methods engineers use to design and evaluate the thermal processes used for the production of electricity. It also assesses and deals with the environmental consequences of power generation. At the end of this unit students will be able to carry out preliminary design and economic impact analyses for electrical power generation systems. A series of topics will be covered in relation to energy and electricity and relevant issues. The course contents will include: 1. Economic analysis of energy systems; 2. Environmental impact of power generation; 3. Principles of thermodynamics; 4. First law analysis of power cycles; 5. Design and simulation of power generation cycles; 6. Second law efficiency and availability; 7. Energy efficiency; 8. CO2 capture and sequestration; 9. Design of various components of thermal power plants. |
| Assumed Knowledge: | None. |
| Lecturer/s: |
Professor Behnia, Masud
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| Timetable: | MECH4241 Timetable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Commitment: |
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Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.
| Attribute Development Method | Attribute Developed |
| Integrating learning of thermodynamics, design, management to solve a real life problem. Developing a professional approach to problem solving. | Design (Level 3) |
| An in-depth learning of thermodynamic laws and relationships for analysis and simulation of power generation cycles. | Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 4) |
| Developing a professional approach to report-writing. | Communication (Level 3) |
| Developing skills to contribute meaningfully to the current debate on energy. | Professional Conduct (Level 3) |
For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table.
Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.
Design (Level 3)| Assessment Methods: |
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| Grading: |
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| Policies & Procedures: | All university policies can be found at http://sydney.edu.au/policy Policies and request forms for the Faculty of Engineering and IT can be found on the forms and policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/forms |
| Note on Resources: | Preliminary reading can be made on the web at www.ieagreen.org.uk |
Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
| Week | Description |
| Week 1 | Energy & society. |
| Introduction. | |
| Week 2 | Electricity consumption & its impact. |
| Week 3 | Electricity usage & future demands. |
| Week 4 | Review of thermodynamics. |
| Week 5 | Review of thermodynamics. |
| Week 6 | Rankine cycle design & optimisation. |
| Week 7 | Rankine cycle design & optimisation. |
| Week 8 | Gas turbine design & co-generation. |
| Week 9 | Simulation of power cycles. |
| Week 10 | Availability & second law efficiency. |
| Week 11 | Design of various components of thermal power stations. |
| Week 12 | Environmental impact of power generation. |
| Week 13 | Review of course material & project. |
| Assessment Due: Project on cogeneration | |
| Assessment Due: Essay Environmental Impact of Power Generation |
Course Relations
The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.
Course Goals
This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:
| Attribute | Practiced | Assessed |
| Design (Level 3) | Yes | 10% |
| Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 4) | Yes | 58.33% |
| Information Seeking (Level 2) | No | 0% |
| Communication (Level 3) | Yes | 0% |
| Professional Conduct (Level 3) | Yes | 31.67% |
These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.
