ME 415 Energy Systems Design (2 Credit Hours)
Course Description: Techniques of analysis and design of energy systems,
including piping networks, heat exchangers, and prime movers. Emphasis is on modeling and
computational solutions.
Course Instructors: This course is typically taught by the following instructors:
Sample Syllabus: Here is a sample syllabus indicative of
that typically used in the course.
Pre-Requisite Skills: Students entering this course are expected to have mastered
the following skills:
- ESM 311 - Fluid Mechanics
- Identify pipe flow as laminar or turbulent
- Determine friction factors in piping using the Moody Diagram
- Compute the major and minor losses in piping
- Apply the energy equation to compute pressure drops in piping
- Size a pump for a simple series piping configuration
- ME 309 - Heat Transfer
- Select appropriate correlation to compute the heat transfer coefficient for flow over
single cylinders, flow over tube banks and flow inside tubes
- Determine the efficiency of a single fin and find the overall efficiency for an array of
fins
- Compute the overall heat transfer coefficient for a heat exchanger section
Course Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course can be expected
to:
- Select and use an appropriate correlation to compute the friction factor in pipe flow
(e)
- Compute the flow rate in a series piping network for specified pressure drop (e)
- Determine the required diameter or length of pipe required for an application with
specified flow rate and pressure drop (e)
- Compute the distribution of flow in a parallel piping arrangement (e)
- Write conservation of mass and conservation of momentum equations to solve for the flow
distribution in a general piping network (e)
- Use a computer spreadsheet package to solve conservation of mass and conservation of
momentum equations to determine flow rates in general piping networks (k)
- Design a general piping network (c)
- Sketch the temperature distribution is parallel flow and counter flow tube-in-tube heat
exchangers (a2)
- Analyze heat exchangers using either the log mean temperature difference (LMTD) or
effectiveness-NTU methods (e)
- Design shell-and-tube heat exchangers using Shah’s method (c)
- Sketch the general head vs. flow rate characteristics for positive displacement and
centrifugal pumps (a2)
- Sketch the general characteristics for forward-, backward-, and radial-bladed
centrifugal pumps (a2)
- Compute "effective pump curves" from individual pump curves for pumps
connected in series or parallel (e)
- Select an appropriate centrifugal pump using manufacturer’s data (c,o)
- Specify the proper impeller size for a centrifugal pump (o)
- Design a pump/flow system combination to achieve a desired operating point at minimum
cost by appropriately modifying the pump or system (o)
Sample Examinations: Examples of Examinations given in this course can be found
here.
Downstream Users: This course serves as a co-requisite to the following courses at
The University of Alabama:
- ME 460 - Thermal Systems Instrumentation
- ME 489 - Mechanical Engineering Design I