Fluid and Thermal Sciences

Course Description

Fundamentals of thermodynamic principles, fluid statics, and fluid dynamics. PL ET 366 Fluid and Thermal Sciences (3) This course is intended to develop the student's ability to conceptually evaluate thermal or fluid problems, and solve practical problems that might be encountered in the plastics industry. The course objectives are: to introduce the fundamentals of thermodynamic behavior by defining pertinent material properties that define an equilibrium state based on temperature and pressure, to study internal energy, enthalpy, and the specific heats of liquids, solids, and gases, including ideal gas behavior and changes in energy level as a result of phase changes, and to introduce mechanical and electrical work leading to applications of the First Law of Thermodynamics. Other objectives are to study fluid static principles involving submerged body behavior by investigating topics of buoyancy and centers of pressure. Fluid dynamics studies explore the Bernoulli and Energy equations, head losses, and calculation of pump requirements from pressure drop and volumetric flow data. Criteria for determining laminar and turbulent flow are established. Viscosity of fluids and fluid rheology topics are also introduced. Students will apply the lessons learned in a subsequent course on heat transfer. Student competency is assessed by graded quizzes, examinations, homework, and special assignments. The course is offered once per year with an enrollment of 40 to 50 students.

Code

PLET 366

Credits

3

Subject

PLET

Programs That Include This Course

• Bachelor's Bachelor of Science in Plastics Engineering Technology