[Book] Thermodynamics and Energy Systems Analysis

© 2012 EPFL - Thermodynamics and Energy Systems Analysis, Solved problems and exercices (Borel/Favrat)

© 2012 EPFL - Thermodynamics and Energy Systems Analysis, Solved problems and exercices (Borel/Favrat)

This book illustrates the basic concepts of phenomenological thermodynamics and how to move from theory to practice by considering problems in the fields of thermodynamics and energy-systems analysis. Many subjects are handled from an energetics or exergetics angle: calorimeters, evaporators, condensers, flow meters, sub or supersonic nozzles, ejectors, compressors, pumps, turbines, combustion processes, heaters, smoke stacks, cooling towers, motors, turbo-reactors, heat pumps, air conditioning, thermo-electrical generators, energy storage, and more.

This collection of exercises is the companion volume to the textbook published with the same title, Thermodynamics and Energy Systems Analysis, by Lucien Borel and Daniel Favrat. With these exercises, we aim to illustrate the basic concepts of phenomenological thermodynamics and to successfully guide the student from the theory to the ability to solve increasingly concrete problems. In this work the ambition has been to present a clear, precise and efficient methodology that can be applied to solve problems that emerge from a practical approach to thermodynamics and energy systems analysis, in particular when dealing with the vast domain of industrial applications. Lecturers, students and engineers working in the energy field will all find these exercises to be a valuable source of insight.

The book consists of a collection of some 200 solved problems, or exercises with numerical answers, each of them being self-contained. This presentation does lead to some repetition, particularly among the hypotheses and the data fields, but has the advantage of allowing the reader to tackle each problem independently.

The solved problems systematically include the following sections: Description – Hypotheses – Data – Questions – Solution. They are illustrated with numerous figures, diagrams, and numerical tables. The range of hypotheses and data are always presented in the same order, and the solutions are described in a detailed and rigorous manner. The companion textbook remains the reference point for all the exercises; the methods and approaches used in the development of solutions, as well as all terminology and nomenclature, are based on those developed in the first volume. The two separate volumes are linked through detailed references and by referring to the numbering system of the first volume for chapters, sections, equations, figures etc. The objective met with the solved problems is to show, in detail, the most logical way to address the questions, to efficiently develop the solutions and to clearly present the results. The exercises with numerical answers are included in the same sections as the solved problems, but the full solutions are not presented. These exercises are for homework, with the numerical answers available to allow self-checking at the end of the calculation. This presentation makes it easier for teachers to use these unsolved exercises as the basis for certain number of problems, while ensuring that the students do their personal work.

Our hope is that the reader will be inspired by the constant quest for coherence, which we feel is urgently needed if we want to seriously address the crucial problems related to our use of energy for the present and future generations. Thermodynamics is complex, but starting with a coherent nomenclature and methodology provides the best framework for comprehension.