Unit Outline

This unit provides students with a deeper understanding of thermodynamics and applies this knowledge to applications in typical building services such as refrigeration and air-conditioning system, and industrial projects such as desalination and power generation. The unit develops students' ability to observe, formulate and solve problems in applied thermodynamics, and provides an essential foundation for persons intending to continue with postgraduate research and development work in the field. This unit builds on material presented in ENG212 (Thermal and Fluid Engineering) and ENG311 (Thermal Engineering 1). This unit covers various advanced power and refrigeration cycles and their working fluids; gas-vapor mixtures and psychrometry; gas compression and the design and analysis of their affiliated hardware, such as evaporators, condensers and cooling towers; the performance analysis of compressors; and application of renewable thermal energy such as geothermal heat pumps, thermally driven absorption and adsorption chillers and thermally driven multi-effect desalination technologies. Sustainability is addressed through emphasis on efficiency and discussion on renewable and sustainable energy technologies. The material will be practically demonstrated in practical applications through two 2-hour laboratory sessions and a field trip.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Analyse advanced power and refrigeration cycles.
2	Evaluate thermal properties of air-vapor mixtures and their application in the context of the design of an air-conditioning system.
3	Assess the performance of various building service and industrial thermodynamic systems
4	Apply thermal energy to air-conditioning, desalination, and power generation systems to achieve sustainability goals.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	ENG311

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Not applicable.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Mid-semester test	Week 6	15 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Analysis and evaluation of a thermal system	Week 12	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Site visit	Refer to Assessment Description	5 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Lab demonstration/Practices	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:	Invigilated exam	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Mid-semester test

Task Description:

Students are required to complete the mid-semester test in class to demonstrate the students' understanding of the fundamental concepts of power and refrigeration cycles, gas mixture as well as the air-conditioning process.

Generative AI use is not permitted.

Task Length:

1.5 hrs in class

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse the thermal problems involved in power systems.	LO1
2	Evaluate the thermal properties of air-vapor mixtures in the air-conditioning process.	LO2
3	Use fundamental knowledge to solve problems in power systems.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: Analysis and evaluation of a thermal system

Task Description:

Students are required to analyse the thermal performance of a thermally driven heat pump, air-conditioning, desalination, or power generation system.

Generative AI use is permitted for checking grammars only and must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

up to 10 page report

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate the thermal energy application in heat pumps, air-conditioning, desalination, and power generation.	LO4
2	Apply knowledge of refrigeration systems, power cycles and air conditioning to thermal energy systems.	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Analyse and interpret the data and justify the conclusions using relevant principles.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Site visit

Task Description:

A field trip will be conducted to demonstrate the practical application of the knowledge of refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning systems taught in class. The venue and time are to be advised based on the availability of the location.

Generative AI use is permitted for checking grammars only and must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

2 hours site visit and 2 page site visit report

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate the concept of refrigeration, heating, solar thermal, and air conditioning systems.	LO4
2	Assess the performance of different refrigeration systems.	LO1

Assessment Task 4: Lab demonstration/Practices

Task Description:

Laboratory / Practical:
Two lab practices in total, including refrigeration lab and air-conditioning lab are required to help students to understand the concepts of refrigeration cycles and air-conditioning processes. Each lab is worth 10%.

These lab practices allow students to develop knowledge in the operation and design of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, and help prepare students for their future careers in building service.

The labs will run in Week 5/6, and 7/8 depending on the student numbers. The students are required to submit individual lab reports for each lab no later than two weeks after their practical session.

Generative AI use is permitted for checking grammars only and must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

Two 2-hour lab sessions, and a written technical report of 10-15 pages per report.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the theory behind the experiment and the methodology used.	LO1, LO2
2	Assess the experimental facility and conduct an error analysis caused by the sensors’ accuracy and human/system setup.	LO3
3	Analyse and interpret the data and justify the conclusions using relevant principles.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 5: Invigilated exam

Task Description:

A single, three-hour exam requires students to demonstrate learning from all teaching activities including lectures, tutorials, and laboratory practicals.

Generative AI use is not permitted.

Task Length:

3 hours

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

To pass ILO1, 2, and 3, your aggregate mark on the components of mid-semester test, lab practical and final exam assessing ILO1, 2 and 3 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO4, your aggregate mark on the components of design project and site visit assessing ILO4 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.