Level of thermodynamics does an engineer needs to know

[Lisa!]

What level of thermodynamics does an engineer(with Bachelor degree) need to know? And I'd be grateful if someone tells me what book engineering students study for their thermodynamics course?(especially nuclear eng., mechanical eng. or chemical eng.)

Thanks

 

[brewnog]

I used 'Engineering Thermodynamics, Work & Heat Transfer' by Rogers & Mayhew (Prentice Hall) for my degree (mech eng), was pretty much a bible, and I still occasionally refer to it.

 

[TD]

We use MIT's https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047121504X/?tag=pfamazon01-20 (Silbey, Alberty & Bawendi). Part 1 (out of 4) is on Thermodynamics.

 

[brewnog]

We use MIT's https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047121504X/?tag=pfamazon01-20 (Silbey, Alberty & Bawendi). Part 1 (out of 4) is on Thermodynamics.

Is this not more chemical thermodynamics rather than engineering thermodynamics?

 

[russ_watters]

What level of thermodynamics does an engineer(with Bachelor degree) need to know?

It depends on the type of engineer. If mechanical or aerospace, a lot. Thermodynamics is a fundamental part of those two disciplines.

 

[TD]

Is this not more chemical thermodynamics rather than engineering thermodynamics?

This is a thermodynamics course all the engineering students get in the second bachelor year, at our university. Choosing your specialty is done in the 3rd year here and if you choose chemical engineering, you'll get more in the higher years - and I suppose also more engineering-oriented.

 

[Astronuc]

It depends on the type of engineer. If mechanical or aerospace, a lot. Thermodynamics is a fundamental part of those two disciplines.

Mechanical, aerospace and nuclear engineers probably need the most thermodynamics background, and I expect chemical engineers as well. Within these discplines, besides the basic laws of thermodynamics, one needs to delve into details of thermodynamic cycles, and one would likely specialize in one particular cycle, e.g. Rankine (steam/water), Brayton, Stirling, Carnot, etc. A lot depends on the working fluid and thermodynamic conditions, and whether combustion is inolved or not. Looking at jet or rocket propulsion, particularly with supersonic flow is another level of complexity.

And then there is thermal-hydraulics (coupling of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics).

 

[Lisa!]

Thanks everyone!