MEC551

Problem Based Learning/ Complex Engineering Problem

Assignment Description

Commence Date: 21st November 2015

December 2015

Due Date: 20

Course Outcomes
This assignment is established to achieve these Course Outcomes:
CO1 Describe the principles of heat transfer mechanisms, combustion,
refrigeration and air conditioning systems in its fundamental aspect with
relation to existing energy systems [PO1, LO1, SS1]{C2}.
CO2 Apply relationship between theoretical and practical aspects of heat transfer
application [PO1, LO1, SS1]{C3}.
CO3 Analyse principles of energy mechanisms to solve a wide range of thermal
engineering problems [PO2, LO3, SS1]{C4}.
CO4 Develop solutions for mathematical models and propose appropriate results
for thermal engineering applications [PO3, LO3, SS1]{C5}.
CO5 Explain the importance of efficient energy utilization in engineering practices
and its impact on the environment as part of the need for sustainable
development. [PO7, LO6, SS4]{A3}.
Objective
The objective of this assignment is for students to conduct preliminary design
calculations of an air conditioning system combining all the relevant topics in
thermal engineering.
Problem Statement
A simple ideal vapor-compression heat-pump system is shown in Figure 1 to provide
a heating effect for a building. The heat from evaporator of the refrigeration system
is dissipated to the outdoor air flowing at 20,000 cfm from 0C to condition it to
40C and the relative humidity is 40%, respectively. An unmixed cross flow heat
exchanger is used to increase the temperature to 18C. The heat exchanger is
made of tubes through which flows hot fluid from the compressor of the
refrigeration system. Then, the air is humidified by the injection of hot steam in the
humidifying section.
A. Air-conditioning process
The conditioned air flows in a 0.5 m x 0.5 m square cross section conduit before
being discharged to the room through a vent.
1. Provide a sketch of the air-conditioning processes with the ambient pressure
of 100 kPa. (CO1)
2. Solve the required heat extraction rate at the heating section when the
ambient air enters at 0C and 95% of relative humidity and leave the system
at 18C. (CO2)
3. Analyze the rate of water vapor if the room temperature is in the range
between 20 C and 25C (increment of 1 C ) and the relative humidity is
between 40% to 75%. Plot the graph. (CO3)
4. A mixing chamber is introduced in the system. Some of the indoor air
temperature is recycled and mix with the outdoor air to save energy. If the
required temperature entering the condenser is set at 20 C, sketch the
1

schematic diagram; then evaluate the amount of recycle indoor air required
(in %) and the heating rate of the condenser (in kW) for the exit temperature
ranges from 21 C to 25 C (CO4)
Tips:
a. There is no change in specific humidity of air for a sensible heating process.
b. The water vapor enters as saturated vapor in the humidifying section at 100
C.

COMPRESSOR

HUMIDIFIYING
SECTION

Figure 1. Air-conditioning System Layout

B. Refrigeration cycle
If the refrigerant exits the evaporator as saturated vapor,
1. Select 2 working refrigerants for the system and explain the reasons of
selection based on safety and thermal properties. (CO1)
2. Choose operating conditions for the heat pump system such as the
evaporator and condenser pressure if the surrounding temperature is 0C
and solve the required refrigerant mass flow rate to obtain the desired
heating effect cycle. (CO3)
3. Propose an innovative system that can improve the current COP i.e
multistages or cascade refrigeration cycle. Prove your suggestion using
analytical analysis. (CO4)
4. Compare the estimated cost for running the system (single cycle and
multistage or cascade) for a 12 hour operation (based only on the
compressor work input) under steady conditions. Assume any country in
northen hemisphere region with daylight electrical tariff. (CO5)
Tips:
a. Refer to any coolant manufacturer website, such as CoolPack, for the list of
potential coolants and its properties
b. The compressor efficiency is 75%.

C. Combustion chamber for Internal combustion engine

Diesel fuel (C12H26) enters a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine
at 25 C. The diesel is burned with stoichiometric amount of air that enters the
combustion chamber at the 0C. The combustion products (hot gases) exit at 1000
C. Solve;
1. Solve the mass flow rate of the fuel and air if the rate of the heat transfer is
1.5 MWatt (CO2)
The heat release from the ignition of the air-fuel mixture (resulting in sudden
increase in heat is wasted in the form of heat transfer to the engine block (and thus
the engine block need to be temperature and pressure) are used to do work (by
pushing the piston in the power cycle). Some of this useful cooled by flowing water
in the block cavities. The remainder of the energy is wasted and exited with the
exhaust flow. By using the result in part A,
2. Analyze the amount of recovered energy from the combustion process if the
inlet water temperature is 5 C. Plot a graph for your analysis. (CO3)

C12H26
25C
ath (O2 +3.76N2)
273K

To exhaust
XCO2 +YH2O+ ZN2
1000C

Figure 2. Natural gas combustor

4

Report (technical writing)

Your team (1 leader and 3 members) will present approximately 10 pages of
technical written report. The report content should be presented as according to the
course outcome for each part.
Part

Question

1
2
3
1
2
3
4
1
2

Course
Outcome
CO1
CO2
CO3
CO1
CO3
CO4
CO5
CO2
CO3

Marks
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
20%
10%
10%

The report must be submitted on the last day of the lecture. Please refer to report
rubrics in the attachment.

RUBRIC ASSESSMENT
Scale
Criteria
[CO1,
PO1]

1
Poor

[CO2,
PO1]

[CO3,
PO3]

3
Acceptable
The principles and
fundamentals are
moderately describe
and are correlated with
the problem given.

The principles and

fundamentals are
poorly correlated with
the problem given.
Make many errors in
applications of heat
transfer and
thermodynamics
principles and
concepts.
Many are not properly
applied.
Contain certain
erroneous elements in
interpretations,
discussion, and
conclusion of the
thermal engineering.
Only a very
general discussion is
made.

Make some but

tolerable errors in
applications of heat
transfer and
thermodynamics
principles and
concepts.
Correct
interpretation of all
results but lack
insightfulness.
Insightful, supported
and comprehensive
discussions or
conclusions of the
thermal engineering.
Have some
useful
recommendations.

5
Excellent
The principles and
fundamentals are well
describe and are
correlated with the
problem given

All relevant heat

transfer and
thermodynamics
principles and concepts
are accurately and
comprehensively
demonstrated and
applied

Correct and
complete
interpretation of all
results.
Draw Insightful,
thoughtful, supported
and comprehensive
discussions or
conclusions of the
thermal engineering.
Use and
technically sound
recommendations.

Total
Marks
20%

20%

30%

[CO4,
PO3]

Errors in integrating
mathematical solutions
and problem
statement.
No solution propose for
the given problem

Substantially define
the mathematical
model and its problem
statement
Fairly define the
solution of given
problem statement

[CO5,
PO9]

No understanding or
appreciation of
importance of
environment concern
No consideration of
public interest or
environmental impact.
None or erroneous
evaluation of financial
effect.

Sound understanding
of environmental
aspects.
Mostly effective in
addressing
environmental issues.
Sound understanding
of public interest or
environmental impact.
Mostly effective
evaluation of
engineering selection
leads to improve
financial results.

The mathematical and

problems statement are
well correlated
Has given a
comprehensive solution
for the given problem
Complete
understanding of
environmental aspects.
Effective in addressing
environmental issues
leading to a better
result.
Complete
understanding of public
interest or
environmental impact.
Effective assessment of
engineering selection
impact support
correlating with the
financial improvement
and explain results.

10%

20%

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL
40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel. : 03-5543 6268
Fax: 03-5543 5160
Report Assessment
Assignments Title

: ________________________________________________________

Groups Name

: ________________________________________________________

Leaders Name

: ________________________________________________________

Members Name

: 1) _______________________________________________________
2) _______________________________________________________
3) _______________________________________________________

Scale
Level

1
Poor

Part

Question

1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2

3
Acceptable

Course
Outcome
CO1
CO2
CO3
CO4
CO1
CO3
CO4
CO5
CO2
CO3
TOTAL

Maximum
Marks
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
100%

COURSE OUTCOME ACIEVEMENT SUMMARY

COURSE

MAXIMUM

OUTCOME
CO1
CO2
CO3
CO4
CO5
TOTAL

MARKS
20%
20%
30%
20%
10%
100%

GIVEN MARKS

5
Excellent
Given Marks