Course Code:

 

Course Name:

 

Applied Thermodynamics (QUT) 

Course Description:

 

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a working knowledge and application of thermodynamic theory. Students will practice of their analytical skills to determine the implications of changes to the thermodynamic process in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the power plant.

 

Many power station plant processes involve movement of heat/energy from one component process to another. This might be for the generation process itself, or simply to maintaining equipment within operating temperature limits. It is important therefore, to identify changes, and measure and manage heat energy transfer across these processes which are crucial for the effective and efficient operation of generating plant.

 

Thermodynamics is used to provide an indication of a component’s change within a process.  This will indicate early warnings of efficiency degradation and potential failure. The heat energy produced by the boiler in a power station is delivered to the turbine. Any heat energy not extracted from the steam by the turbine is then discharged to the atmosphere through the cooling towers.  This unit considers ways of effectively moving the heat energy generated in the various processes in the power station plant, and extracting that heat energy to produce electricity.

 

The learning activities in this course are underpinned by a red thread case study.  You will work through a series of scenarios in order to gain performance efficiencies at both the systems and component levels.  At the end of the course you will be able to:

 

Identify performance issues at component level:

·         Analyse equipment performance from process data.

·         Perform root cause analysis to identify problems and troubleshoot.

·         Looking for opportunities for improvement.

·         Identify performance issues at system level.

·         Analyse system performance from process data.

·         Perform root cause analysis to identify problems and troubleshoot.

 

Determine the impact of performance issues on the overall operations:

·         Determine impact on resources consumption based on key criteria.

·         Determine the impact on the environment based on key criteria.

·         Determine the impact of the asset consumption based on the operation.

 

Determine improvements and maintenance requirements to thermodynamic performance:

·         Perform cost-benefit analysis to justify parts and equipment improvements.

·         Justify investigations and inspections for raising work orders.

·         Evaluate the results of plant modification and/or maintenance.

 

Communicate and monitor thermodynamic performance to provide information for maintenance /production budget allocations:

·         Separate and identify the influences on thermodynamic performance.

·         Apply the various methods of performance monitoring (input-output, losses and component analysis).

 

Course Coordinator:

 

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Course Coordinator phone:

 

Delivery mode:

Intensive

More information:

Course information and requirements will be detailed in the EPG006 website a month before the start of the course: https://olt.qut.edu.au/udf/EPG006