Energy conversion devices; from furnaces and heat pumps to generators and combustion systems play a critical role in residential construction and home performance. For today’s builders, designers, and project managers, understanding how energy is transformed and used in buildings is essential for making informed decisions that support energy efficiency and sustainability.
This 4-hour online course introduces the fundamentals of energy conversion and power cycles, including simplified overviews of the Carnot, Brayton, Otto, and Diesel cycles. Participants will explore the basic components and processes behind compression, combustion, and expansion, as well as key flow dynamics in nozzles, diffusers, and thrust systems. Though technical in nature, the course is presented in a clear, practical way using air as the working fluid providing insights that can help professionals better evaluate and select energy systems in construction projects.
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Understand basic energy conversion assumptions, equations, and performance trends.
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Explain the key components and processes of the Carnot, Brayton, Otto, and Diesel cycles, including compression, combustion, and expansion.
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Interpret T-s, p-V, and h-T diagrams for major thermodynamic cycles and processes.
- Describe compressible flow principles for nozzles, diffusers, and thrust applications.