Spring 2025
ME 322: Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics

Course Resources

Course Description
Thermodynamic properties of substances, first and second laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic analysis of mechanical engineering thermal components and cycles, psychrometric processes, and introduction to combustion systems.  Prerequisites: Chem 111, Phys 211, junior certification or permission.

Office Hours (GJ 234H)

  • TBD with Class Input
  • Any time you can find me (Typically in my office on MWF from 9:30 to 11:20)
  • By appointment if you can't find me (email dcordon@uidaho.edu)

Tutoring Options

 
WEEK 1: Jan 8 - 10    
Pre-Class Preparation In-Class Activity Post-Class Assignment
Wednesday



Course Syllabus

Syllabus Input
 -- LMS
 -- What gets Graded
 -- Grade Weighting
 -- HW Documentation Format
 -- HW Due Dates
 -- Reading
 -- Exam Format/Location

LECT 1 - Introduction

Homework #1
Work the practice problem(s) and turn those in through Canvas before the next class period.

Review the preparatory reading, but it does not need to be turned in.

Data for HW1
2012 United States Energy Flow
2013 United States Energy Flow
2014 United States Energy Flow
2015 United States Energy Flow
2016 United States Energy Flow
2017 United States Energy Flow
2018 United States Energy Flow
2019 United States Energy Flow
2020 United States Energy Flow
2021 United States Energy Flow
2022 United States Energy Flow
2023 United States Energy Flow

Link to LLNL Energy Flow Charts
Friday

Read Balmer - Preface & Chapt 1
* engineering problem solving
* units and dimensions
* temperature units
* English system
* SI system
* chemical units
  (gmole, kgmole, lbmole)
* fundamental & derived units
* significant figures
* potential energy
* kinetic energy

Review Today's Powerpoint Slides
Homework Debrief
Reading Questions

Friday Funny

LECT 2 - Unit Systems, Chemistry & Physics Concepts

LECT 2.5 - Unit Conversion
 - Unit Conversion Activity
 - Activity Solution

Unit Conversion Factors
 - PDF
 - Image 1
 - Image 2

Homework #2

HW2 Tips

WEEK 2: Jan 13 - 17     
Monday

NO CLASS
Sick Day

 
Wednesday

NO CLASS
Sick Day
Friday
NO CLASS
Sick Day
 
WEEK 3: Jan 20 - 24    
Monday

NO CLASS
Martin Luther King Day

 
Wednesday

Read Balmer 2.1-2.11
* isolated, closed, open systems
* phases of matter
* thermodynamic states
* thermodynamic processes
* pressure & temperature scales
* zero law of thermodynamics
* continuum hypothesis* balance concept
* conservation concept
* conservation of mass

Homework Debrief
Reading Q's

Homework Format Discussion

ACTIVITY
 - Ideal Gas EOS

LECT 3 - Thermodynamic Concepts

ACTIVITY
 - Process Diagrams

Homework #3

HW3 Tips


Friday

Read Balmer 3.1-3.8
* isobaric coefficient of
  volume expansion
* isothermal coefficient of
  compressibility
* system energy
* enthalpy
* phase diagrams (PT, Pv, Ts)
* quality

Homework Debrief
Reading Q's

Friday Funny

LECT 4 - Conservation and Balance Concepts



Homework #4

HW4 Tips

WEEK 4: Jan 27 - 31    
Monday

Read Balmer 3.9-3.10
* incompressible substances
* ideal gases
* real fluids
* thermodynamic tables
* see Table 3.9!

Homework Debrief
Reading Q's

Discuss Course Grading
 - Draft Skill Inventory

LECT 5 - Thermodynamic Properties

EXAMPLES
 - Extracting Kappa
 - Squeezing Water 

LECT 6 - PvT Behavior

EXAMPLE - Sample Property Calculations

Homework #5

HW5 Tips

You can probably do all the FE-style question from HW6 already. And possibly the first two practice problems.

Wednesday

Read Balmer 3.11-3.12

Bring your Thermodynamic Tables

Homework Debrief
Reading Q's

Finish LECT 6

LECT 7 - Thermodynamic Property Tables and Charts
 
Activity - Property Tables
Solution - Activity Solution
Solution - Old Solution

Homework #6

HW6 Tips

Homework #7

HW7 Tips
(you can probably do most of HW7 already, but it won't be due until Monday)
Friday

Read Balmer 4.1-4.5
* 1st law of thermodynamics
* energy transport mechanisms
* point vs path functions
Homework Debrief
Reading Q's

Friday Funny

Discuss EES Demo

Two more LECT 7 Table Examples

LECT 8 - 1st Law

EXAMPLE - Energy Accounting

EXAMPLE - Transmission Cooling

Homework #8

HW8 Tips



WEEK 5: Feb 3 - 7    
Monday

Log into the Remote Access Lab and make sure you can open the EES software

Uidaho IT Connection Guide

Explore Engineering Equation Solver resources (PDF and examples) located on the Mindworks website

Homework Debrief
Reading Q's   

LECT 9 - EES Orientation

EES Demo - Videos
- EES Interface
- EES Properties
- EES Tables

EES Example Files
- Accessing Properties
- Drawing Property Diagrams

Homework with EES
 - Sample Homework (all EES)
 - Sample Homework (hybrid)

Homework #9
(Finish problem 2 before next class. Assignment will be due with HW10)

HW9 Tips

EES Examples:
HW9, P1 (starting point)
HW9, Problem 1
HW8, Problem 3

Wednesday

Read Balmer 4.6-4.15
* mechanical work modes
* nonmechanical work modes
* work efficiency
* heat modes of energy transport
* thermodynamic problem solving
Homework Debrief
Reading Q's  

EES Questions

LECT 10 - Work

Polytropic Exponents

EXAMPLE -
Isothermal Work
SOLUTION -
Isothermal Work
ASME Steam Plant Tour

Homework #10

HW10 Tips
Friday


Homework Debrief
Reading Q's  

Friday Funny

LECT 11 - Heat and Thermal Efficiency
Homework #11
Do not need to turn this in

HW11 Tips
WEEK 6: Feb 10 - 14    
Monday
Discuss Exam 1 Dates (take home)

LECT 12 - 1st Law for
Closed Systems


EXAMPLES
 -
Cycle (Refrigeration)
 -
Process (Piston/Cylinder)
Homework #12

HW12 Tips
Wednesday

Read Balmer 5.1-5.9
* sealed, rigid containers
* power plants
* incompressible liquids
* ideal gases
* piston-cylinder devices
* unsteady processes
Homework Debrief
Reading Q's  

LECT 13 - Air Tables

Ideal Gas Properties w/EES

EXAMPLE
 - Using Air Tables
Homework #13

HW13 Tips
Friday

Read Balmer 6.1-6.5
* flow stream kinetic energies
* flow stream potential energies
* importance of enthalpy
* open system energy rate balance
* open system energy balance
Homework Debrief
Reading Q's  
Discuss Timeline for EES Exam 1

Friday Funny

LECT 14 - 1st Law for Open Systems

EXAMPLES
 - Chemical Reactor
 - Building Heating System

Homework #14

HW14 Tips
WEEK 7: Feb 17 - 21    
Monday NO CLASS
Presidents' Day
 
Wednesday

Read Balmer 6.6-6.10
* throttling devices
* throttling calorimeter
* heat exchangers
* turbines
* compressors
* pumps
Homework Debrief

EES Exam Q&A

LECT 15 - Throttling Devices   and Heat Exchangers

EXAMPLES
 - Steam Whistle
 - Throttling Valve
 - Feedwater Heater

LECT 16 - Turbines, Compressors, and Pumps

EXAMPLES
- Turbine
- Compressor
- Pump
Take-Home Exam 1
 - Due in class 2/28


Homework #15

HW15 Tips
Friday


Complete and bring steps 1-3 from Homework #16

EES Demo - Cycles

Homework Debrief

Exam 1 Questions

Friday Funny

HW16 Activity

EES Show-Tell
- using Key Variables
- $ifnot Parametric Table
- Plotting Cycle (Pv Diagram)

HW16 EES Demo File

EES Consulting
(online references)

Homework #16

HW16 Tips
WEEK 8: Feb 24 - 28    
Monday

Skim Balmer 7.1-7.9

* what is entropy?
* Clausius definition
* Kelvin definition
* absolute temperature scale
* entropy calculations
Homework Debrief

Exam 1 Questions

LECT 17 - Transient Analysis

EXAMPLES
 - Isenthalpic Tank Emptying
 - Solution
Homework #17

HW17 Tips
Wednesday

Homework Debrief

Exam 1 Questions

What is the Carnot Cycle?

LECT 18 - 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
Homework #18

HW18 Tips
Friday

Take-Home Exam 1 at beginning of class (on paper)

Skim Balmer 7.10-7.17
* entropy production mechanisms
* entropy balance equation
Review Take-Home Exam 1

Discuss EES Exam 1


Friday Funny

LECT 19 - Calculation of Entropy Changes

EXAMPLES - Sample Calculations
EES Exam 1

Homework #19
Do not need to turn this in

HW19 Tips
WEEK 9: Mar 3 - 7    
Monday
Monday Funny

Discuss Exam 2 Date

LECT 20 - Entropy Balance Equation
Homework #20
(there is no HW 20)
Wednesday

Skim Balmer 8.1-8.4
Focus on Example Problems
LECT 21 - 2nd Law Analysis
of Closed Systems

EXAMPLES
 - Gearbox Problem
 - Piston Problem
Homework #21

HW21 Tips
Friday
No Class

Travel Safely


SPRING BREAK: Mar 10 - 14    
Monday - Friday  NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK
 
WEEK 10: Mar 17 - 21    
Monday

No Class

Travel Safely

Wednesday

Skim Balmer 9.1-9.9
Focus on Example Problems
Homework Debrief

Discuss Dates for Exam 2

LECT 22 - 2nd Law Analysis
of Open Systems

EXAMPLES
 - Air Turbine (EES file)
 - Steam Turbine (EES file)
Homework #22

HW22 Tips
Friday

Homework Debrief

Friday Funny

LECT 23 - Modeling Real Devices

Example Problems
 - Turbocharger (EES solution)
 - Vortex Tube

Exam 2 Prep
 - What's going to be on the exam?
 - Fall 2018  Practice Exam 2 (calc)
 - Fall 2018  Practice Exam 2 (FE)
 - Fall 2018 Exam 2 Answers
 - Spring 2014 Exam 2 (FE)
 - Homework 19 was also Exam 2 Q's



Homework #23

HW23 Tips
WEEK 11: Mar 24 - 28    
Monday


Read Balmer 13.1-13.10
* heat engines
* vapor power cycles
* Carnot power cycle
* Rankine power cycle
* efficiencies
* superheat
* regeneration
* steam turbines
* reheat
* steam powerplant design
Homework Debrief

Newcomen's Steam Engine

Watt's Steam Engine

LECT 24 - Rankine Cycle

EXAMPLE
Ideal Rankine Cycle (Superheat)
EES file
Homework #24

HW24 Tips
Wednesday

Bring your supplemental tables!
Exam 2 - In Class
Topics LECT 1 - 23
(Focus LECT 12 - 23)
 
Friday


Review Exam 2 Answers

Homework Debrief

Friday Funny

HW24 EXAMPLE
Real Rankine Cycle with Superheat

LECT 25 - Rankine Cycle Improvements

EXAMPLE
Ideal Ranking Cycle EES file
Homework #25

HW25 Tips
WEEK 12: Mar 31 - Apr 4    
Monday

Homework Debrief

Discuss EES Exam 2 (start/due dates)

LECT 26 - Rankine Cycle Regeneration

EXAMPLE
Ideal Regeneration Cycle EES file
Homework #26

HW26 Tips
Wednesday


Read Balmer 13.11-13.17
* gas power cycles
* air standard cycles
* Brayton cycle
* aircraft gas turbine engines
Homework Debrief

LECT 27 - Brayton Cycle 

Gas Turbine Cycle Modeling
  - Real Fluid EES
  - ASC Ideal Gas EES
  - Cold ASC EES
  - Parametric Study Results

LECT 27b - Jet Aircraft Propulsion

EXAMPLE
Jet Aircraft Propulsion EES file
Homework #27

HW27 Tips
Friday

Read Balmer 13.18-13.21
* Otto cycle
* Diesel cycle

Homework Debrief

Friday Funny

LECT 28a - Otto & Diesel Cycles
LECT 28b - Comparing SI and CI
Homework #28

HW28 Tips
WEEK 13: Apr 7 - 11    
Monday

Read Balmer 14.1-14.6
* vapor refrigeration cycles
* Carnot refrigeration cycle
* vapor compression cycles
* refrigerants
Homework Debrief

Monday Funny

EES Exam 2 Questions

LECT 29 - Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycles

Example 1 - Slides
Example 1 - EES

Diagram:
Window Air Conditioner
EES Exam 2
(take-home, due by start of class a week from Wednesday)

Homework #29

HW29 Tips
Wednesday

Homework Debrief

EES Exam 2 Questions

LECT 30 - Heat Pumps

Example 1 - Slides
Example 1 - EES File

Reversing Valve Animation
Homework #30

HW30 Tips
Friday

Homework Debrief

EES Exam 2 Questions

LECT 31 - Ideal Gas Mixtures I
EES Examples
  -
Mass basis
  - Molar basis
Homework #31

HW31 Tips

ENGR Club Event
WEEK 14: Apr 14 - 18    
Monday

Read Balmer 12.1-12.5
* properties of gas mixtures
* mixtures of ideal gases
* psychrometrics
* adiabatic saturator
Homework Debrief

EES Exam 2 Questions

LECT 32 - Ideal Gas Mixtures II

EES Example
 - Isentropic Compressor

Homework #32
(Practice exam, do not need to turn in)

HW32 Tips
Wednesday
EES Exam 2 due before class

Read Balmer 12.6-12.9
* sling psychrometer
* air conditioning
* psychrometric enthalpies
* mixtuers of real gases
Discuss Exam 3
What to prepare for Exam 3
 
- Steam Cycle
 - Brayton Cycle
 - Otto/Diesel Cycles
 - Refrigeration Cycle
 - Heat Pump Cycle

LECT 33 - Psychrometric Properties of Moist Air

 - Heating of Moist Air (EES)
 - Moist Air Properties (EES)
 - Weather Station Calcs (EES)

Homework #33

HW33 Tips
Friday

Homework Debrief

Friday Funny Turbine Image

LECT 34 - Psychrometric Charts
 - Psych Props Calculator
 - SI Psych Props
 - English Psych Props


Psychrometric Charts
 - English Chart 1
 - SI Chart 1
Homework #34

HW34 Tips
WEEK 15: Apr 21 - 25    
Monday LECT 35 - Air Conditioning

Evaporative Cooling (chart)
Evaporative Cooling (EES)

Adiabatic Mixing (chart)
Adiabatic Mixing (EES)

Combined Heating & Cooling
(EES file)



Homework #35

No HW Tips
Wednesday Exam 3  
Friday Engineering EXPO - No Class
 - ICCU Arena from 9am to 2pm
EXPO Homework
WEEK 16: April 28 - May 2    
Monday

Read Balmer 15.1-15.7

* stoichiometric equations
* organic fuels
* fuel modeling
* standard reference state (SRS)
* heat of formation
* heat of reaction
Homework Debrief

LECT 36 - Combustion Reactions

Monday Funny


Homework #36
(not turned in Spring 2024)
No HW Tips
Wednesday

Optional collaborative exam



 
Friday No class. Rest and study for your other final exams!  
FINAL EXAM: (Date)    
Wednesday, May 8
10:15 am - 12:15 pm
We do *not* have anything planned for our Final Exam time slot