Heat Pumps & Power Cycles

This lecture covers the technical challenges in implementing the Carnot cycle, such as heat transfer limitations and the use of dry compression. It also discusses the analysis of heating and refrigeration cycles, including energy and exergy balances, as well as the graphical representation of exergy losses. The concept of exergy efficiency is explained, along with its application in cases without dissipation. The advantages of exergy analysis are highlighted through a plot showing the impact of thermal devaluation at different temperature levels.

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ME-459: Thermal power cycles and heat pump systems

This course aims at studying thermal power cycles, heat pumping technologies, and equipment.

Central heating

A central heating system provides warmth to a number of spaces within a building from one main source of heat. It is a component of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (short: HVAC) systems, which can both cool and warm interior spaces. A central heating system has a furnace that converts fuel or electricity to heat. The heat is circulated through the building either by fans forcing heated air through ducts, circulation of low-pressure steam to radiators in each heated room, or pumps that circulate hot water through room radiators.

Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating and cooling is a form of central heating and cooling that achieves indoor climate control for thermal comfort using hydronic or electrical heating elements embedded in a floor. Heating is achieved by conduction, radiation and convection. Use of underfloor heating dates back to the Neoglacial and Neolithic periods. Underfloor heating has a long history back into the Neoglacial and Neolithic periods.

Electric heating

Electric heating is a process in which electrical energy is converted directly to heat energy. Common applications include space heating, cooking, water heating and industrial processes. An electric heater is an electrical device that converts an electric current into heat. The heating element inside every electric heater is an electrical resistor, and works on the principle of Joule heating: an electric current passing through a resistor will convert that electrical energy into heat energy.

Heating oil

Heating oil is any petroleum product or other oil used for heating; a fuel oil. Most commonly, it refers to low viscosity grades of fuel oil used for furnaces or boilers use for home heating and in other buildings. Home heating oil is often abbreviated as HHO. Most heating oil products are chemically very similar to diesel fuel used as motor fuel; motor fuel is typically subject to higher fuel taxes. Many countries add fuel dyes to heating oil, allowing law enforcement to check if a driver is evading fuel taxes.

Heat

In thermodynamics, heat is the thermal energy transferred between systems due to a temperature difference. In colloquial use, heat sometimes refers to thermal energy itself. An example of formal vs. informal usage may be obtained from the right-hand photo, in which the metal bar is "conducting heat" from its hot end to its cold end, but if the metal bar is considered a thermodynamic system, then the energy flowing within the metal bar is called internal energy, not heat.

Thermodynamics and Energetics I ME-251: Thermodynamics and energetics I

Covers the basic principles of vapor power systems and the analysis of internal combustion engines and gas turbine cycles.

Gas Refrigeration Systems ME-251: Thermodynamics and energetics I

Explores gas refrigeration systems, including Brayton cycles and heat pumps, discussing principles, performance, and optimization approaches.

Vapor Power Systems ME-251: Thermodynamics and energetics I

Explores vapor power systems, emphasizing the Rankine cycle and its enhancements for increased efficiency.

Energy Conversion Systems: Composite Curves

Explains the use of composite curves in defining energy conversion systems and optimizing efficiency in industrial processes.

Exergy and Thermodynamics ME-251: Thermodynamics and energetics I

Explores exergy, entropy, and thermodynamic efficiencies in closed and open systems.