Michigan State University

Department of Mechanical Engineering

ME 416

Computer Assisted Design of Thermal Systems

The TE/CAD Computer says

"Welcome to Fall 2011"

Course Grades

Quick Links To:
[Announcements]    [Course Materials]    [Project #1]   [Project #2]   [Project #3]   [Project #4 & 5]   [Study Aids]   [Quizzes]


Instructor: Professor Craig W. Somerton
Office: 2439 Engineering Building
Hours:  M 4-5, WF 10:30-11:30
            or by arrangement
Phone: 353-6733
E-mail: somerton@egr.msu.edu
 
TA: James Holly
E-mail: hollyjam@msu.edu

About the Course

This course covers the traditional topics of a thermal design course through computer oriented projects.  The first project deals with manipulating numerical and graphical data, such as thermophysical properties or device operating conditions, required for thermal design analysis. The second project of the course deals with the modeling, design, and selection of turbomachinery, such as pumps, fans, and turbines.  The third project of the course will focus on the analysis, design, and optimization of a heating and/or air conditioning system.  This project involves the thermoeconomic optimization of insulation design with heating and cooling system selection.  The fourth project involves the design of a large thermal system and includes determining the system layout and operating temperatures, pressures and mass flow rates to obtain an optimum system. The fifth and final project involves the design of a heat exchanger operating within the large thermal system of the fourth project, and includes the feedback between equipment design (or selection) and system design. Each year ME 416 has a theme that ties the projects together.  This year the theme is automotive engineering.


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Course Announcements

  • Quiz #1 will be on Friday, September 30, during the last 15 minutes of class.  It will cover:

    Basic Design Methodology
    Thermodynamics Partial Derivatives
    Least Squares Curve Fitting

    It will be closed book, closed notes, but an equation sheet will be provided.  Students are encouraged to work through Practice Problem Set #1 in preparing for the quiz.

  • Quiz #2 will be on Friday, October 28, during the last 15 minutes of class.  It will cover:

    Pumps
    Compressors
    Fans

    It will be closed book, closed notes, but an equation sheet will be provided.  Students are encouraged to work through Practice Problem Set #2 in preparing for the quiz.

  • Quiz #3 will be on Friday, November 18, during the last 15 minutes of class.  It will cover

    Building Heat Transfer
    Engineering Economics

    It is fair game to combine these two topics into one problem.  It will be closed book, closed notes, but an equation sheet will be provided.  Students are encouraged to work through Practice Problem Set #3, problems 1-5 in preparing for the quiz. 




  • Quiz #4 will be on Wednesday, December 7, during the last 15 minutes of class.  It will cover

    Air-Water Vapor Systems
    Heat Exchangers

     It will be closed book, closed notes, but an equation sheet will be provided.  Students are encouraged to work through
  • Practice Problem Set #3, problems 6-7, Practice Problem Set
  •  #4, Psychrometric Chart In-class Exercises,  and Air Processing Devices In-class Exercises  in preparing for the quiz. 




 

Course Materials


Materials for Project #1
 Development of a Spreadsheet Data Base for Ethylene Glycol Properties Properties
   
From:http://routingbyrumor.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/prestone-antifreeze-50-ethylene-glycol-50-chutzpah/

 

Materials for Project #2
Development of a Computer Simulation for an Pumps
   
From: http://www.hh-autoparts.com/productsinfo/main-products/water-pump/

 

Materials for Project #3
Climate Control Optimization for the Interior of an Automobile
   
From: http://frugalmechanic.com/auto-parts/hyundai-tiburon/climate-control


 

Materials for Projects #4 and 5

Analysis and Design of a Race Car Engine

 

From: http://www.motorator.com/blog/ford/jon-kaase-ford-boss-engines

Design of a Supercharger Intercooler for a Race Car Engine
   
From: www.flyboybob.com

 

Study Aids for Quizzes


Quizzes, Solutions, and Results