Learning Exercise
Writing-to-Learn exercise
Ask students to describe the
physical and energetic transformations H2O undergoes as it proceeds through the
power generation process.
physical and energetic transformations H2O undergoes as it proceeds through the
power generation process.
Course: Energy Balances; Thermodynamics
- Material:
- Virtual Tour of a Steam Turbine Cogeneration Power Plant
- Date last modified:
- November 1, 2004
- Created by:
- Valerie Young
- License:
-
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This is virtual tour of the Michigan State University power plant that uses four steam-powered turbines. The power... see more
Exercise
Homework Assignment
Energy Balances
Physical and Energetic Transformations in Power Generation from Steam
Take virtual tour of the Michigan State University Power Plant on the web.
http://www.chems.msu.edu/classes/321/powerplant/
This website was originally developed by Dr. Carl Lira for one of his courses,
so there may be a few comments in the text that are specific to his course.
Using the information in the virtual tour, information in your text, and your
own knowledge and understanding of engineering, describe the power generation
process in terms of the physical and energetic changes undergone by the water at
each step. In other words, for each unit operation in the power generation
process:
(1) Describe the changes in the thermodynamic state of the water
(temperature, pressure, phase, specific enthalpy) as it passes through that unit
operation.
(2) Describe how the energy is transferred to / from the water in each unit
operation, including identifying the source of / sink for the energy. If energy
is transferred to / from another flowing stream, explain whether the streams
are mixed together or whether the energy is transferred through a pipe wall or
something similar.
Your description of the power generation process should be an example of good
technical writing. It should give an overview of the process, and then discuss
the individual unit operations in a logical order. It should be clear, concise,
and use technical terms correctly.
Primary Traits for Grading
The student?s description correctly:
(1) Identifies all unit operations in the power generation cycle and lists
them in logical order.
(2) Identifies all changes in the thermodynamic state of water in each unit
operation, including a clear statement of whether the value of each state
variable increases, decreases, or remains constant.
(3) Identifies the source of / sink for energy transferred in each unit
operation and describes the mechanism of energy transfer.
(4) Provides a concise overview of the power generation process first. Uses
standard technical terms to name the unit operations and describe how they are
connected such that the description is understandable even without a diagram for
reference.
(5) Uses standard written English (complete sentences, correct grammar,
correct spelling). Avoids the use of colloquial language or anthropomorphism.
Energy Balances
Physical and Energetic Transformations in Power Generation from Steam
Take virtual tour of the Michigan State University Power Plant on the web.
http://www.chems.msu.edu/classes/321/powerplant/
This website was originally developed by Dr. Carl Lira for one of his courses,
so there may be a few comments in the text that are specific to his course.
Using the information in the virtual tour, information in your text, and your
own knowledge and understanding of engineering, describe the power generation
process in terms of the physical and energetic changes undergone by the water at
each step. In other words, for each unit operation in the power generation
process:
(1) Describe the changes in the thermodynamic state of the water
(temperature, pressure, phase, specific enthalpy) as it passes through that unit
operation.
(2) Describe how the energy is transferred to / from the water in each unit
operation, including identifying the source of / sink for the energy. If energy
is transferred to / from another flowing stream, explain whether the streams
are mixed together or whether the energy is transferred through a pipe wall or
something similar.
Your description of the power generation process should be an example of good
technical writing. It should give an overview of the process, and then discuss
the individual unit operations in a logical order. It should be clear, concise,
and use technical terms correctly.
Primary Traits for Grading
The student?s description correctly:
(1) Identifies all unit operations in the power generation cycle and lists
them in logical order.
(2) Identifies all changes in the thermodynamic state of water in each unit
operation, including a clear statement of whether the value of each state
variable increases, decreases, or remains constant.
(3) Identifies the source of / sink for energy transferred in each unit
operation and describes the mechanism of energy transfer.
(4) Provides a concise overview of the power generation process first. Uses
standard technical terms to name the unit operations and describe how they are
connected such that the description is understandable even without a diagram for
reference.
(5) Uses standard written English (complete sentences, correct grammar,
correct spelling). Avoids the use of colloquial language or anthropomorphism.
Audience
Technical Notes
Requirements
Topics
Energy transformations
Power cycles, power generation
Steam tables
Type of Task
Learning Objectives
Equate changes in the temperature, pressure, or phase of H2O with changes in enthalpy.
Apply fundamentals of thermodynamics to the analysis of an engineering process.
Write a clear description of an engineering process using appropriate technical vocabulary.