Course detail

Thermal Machines

FSI-LZ2 Acad. year: 2027/2028 Winter semester

The course builds on knowledge acquired in the courses Fundamentals of Energy Engineering and Thermomechanics and focuses on the operating principles, design and operational characteristics of positive-displacement and rotary thermal machines used in energy engineering. The introductory part covers various types of heat engines, particularly steam engines, Stirling engines, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. The main emphasis is placed on energy conversion in turbomachinery, fundamental design and calculation methods for turbine stages, losses in blade cascades, and the construction of steam turbines. The course also covers the basic principles of engineering design, assembly and operation of steam turbines.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Supervisor

Ing. Petr Kracík, Ph.D.

Department

Energy Institute

Entry knowledge

Basic knowledge of thermomechanics and energy engineering is expected, particularly the thermodynamic properties of working fluids, fundamental thermodynamic processes and cycles, the laws of conservation of mass and energy, and the principles of energy conversion in thermal equipment.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Credit: Credit is awarded upon active participation in tutorials and completion of all assigned individual tasks within the specified deadlines. Two absences from tutorials are permitted. Any additional absences must be made up by arrangement with the lecturer.

Examination: Obtaining credit is a prerequisite for taking the examination. The examination consists of written and oral parts. The written part assesses theoretical knowledge and the ability to solve calculation problems related to thermal machines. The oral part takes the form of a discussion on an assigned topic and assesses students' understanding of the subject matter and their ability to apply the knowledge acquired.

The final course grade is determined according to the ECTS grading scale in compliance with the BUT Study and Examination Regulations.

Aims

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the basic operating principles and classification of positive-displacement and rotary thermal machines.
  2. Describe thermodynamic processes occurring in thermal machines and apply fundamental physical laws to their analysis.
  3. Characterise the design, operating principles and basic performance characteristics of steam engines, Stirling engines, internal combustion engines, steam turbines and gas turbines.
  4. Explain the principles of energy conversion in turbomachinery and perform basic design calculations for impulse and reaction steam turbine stages.
  5. Identify the main types of energy losses in blade cascades and assess their impact on turbine stage efficiency.
  6. Describe the basic design and operational arrangement of multistage steam turbines, including their auxiliary equipment.

The study programmes with the given course

Programme B-ENE-P: Energy, Bachelor's, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hours, optionally

Syllabus

1. Thermodynamic processes and laws, classification of thermal machines into positive-displacement and rotary machines.
2. – 4. Heat engines – steam engines, Stirling engines, internal combustion engines, steam turbine power cycles and gas (combustion) turbines.
5. – 7. Steam turbine stages – selection of the basic design concept, classification and characteristics of elementary turbine stages.
8. – 9. Fundamental equations of turbomachinery and losses in blade cascades.


10. Multistage steam turbines and specific characteristics of the final turbine stages.


11. Design and construction of steam turbines.


12. Engineering design of steam turbine arrangements and auxiliary equipment.


13. Assembly and operation of steam turbines.

Exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Syllabus

Tutorials follow the lecture topics and focus on the practical application of thermodynamic laws and fundamental calculation methods in the analysis of heat engines and thermal machines. Students solve calculation problems involving steam engines, Stirling engines, internal combustion engines operating on Diesel and Sabathé cycles, steam power cycles and gas turbines. The tutorials also include a comparative design of an impulse and a reaction steam turbine stage, involving basic thermodynamic and aerodynamic calculations and a comparison of both design alternatives.