SUBJECT DESCRIPTION FORM

Subject Title: Modeling and Simulation of Thermal Power System

Subject Code:
Number of Credits: 3
Hours Assigned: Lecture 36 hours

Pre-requisite:

Project

12 hours

Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics

Co-requisite:
Exclusion:

Course Description
Modeling and simulation of thermal power system explores multi-disciplinary
processes and devices with emphasis on energy conversion and utilization . By building
lumped-parameter models of various components and connected these sub-models
into a whole model, the steady state and dynamic performance characteristics of
energy systems can be analyzed effectively. Examples will be drawn from power
plants, jet propulsion, internal combustion engines, building, and fuel cells. The
modeling efforts are focused on related mechanism modeling methodology, which
provide a unified view of phenomenon happened in different domains. The simulation
efforts are based on popular MATLAB/Simulink software or other commercial
software Easy5. A project covering the modeling-simulation-analysis stages will be
conducted in the course.

Objectives:

The focus of Modeling and simulation of Thermal power plant is the

multi-domain modeling and simulation of energy systems. The course is intended to
provide students with the following benefits:
1

their own abilities to deal with complex systems

2 Learn to describe mechanical, electrical, thermal and fluid systems using

energy-based methodology
3
4

develop a realistic model of a given physical system

Ability to predict and reproduce via analysis the system's dynamic behavior

SCHEDULE
1. Course introduction and background (2 hours)
Concepts about systems, models, simulation and analysis are introduced.
Differences between phenomenological and first principle models, steady-state and
dynamic models, distributed and lumped models are discussed.
2. Phenomenological modeling process (4 hours)
Linear regression and nonlinear regression methods on modeling of phenomenon
are discussed. Some soft computing techniques are introduced.
3. Frequency response modeling (4 hours)
Expression of system in frequency domain is introduced. Identification of linear
dynamic system by forcing input of sinusoidal and random excitation.
4. Introduction to physical modeling method (4 hours)
Basic concepts of bond-graph are introduced, and then physical modeling method
is discussed in details. Differences between signal-based methodology and physical
modeling method are stressed. Some related softwares are briefed.
5. Physical modeling in thermal and related domain (6 hours)
In thermal, mechanical, electrical and hydraulic domain, the definition of domain,
basic elements modeling and simple system modeling are discussed.
6. Physical modeling of power plants (4 hours)
2

For the conventional power plants and conventional island of nuclear power plants,
physical modeling method is applied to some example systems.
7. Physical modeling in engine systems (6 hours)
For the internal combustion engines, gas turbines (include aircraft engines),
physical modeling method is applied to some example systems.
8. Physical modeling in battery and building energy system (4 hours)
For the batteries (including fuel cells), gas turbines (include aircraft engine),
physical modeling method is applied to some example systems.
9. Real-time simulation (2 hours)
Basic concepts of real-time simulation are introduced. Suitable integration methods
are discussed. Topics on mixed-mode integration, multi-rate simulation and
discontinuous systems are briefed.
10. Project practice (stage 1): Physical modeling of selected energy system (6 hours)
According to the students background and interests, different energy systems are
selected as the object of project. At stage 1, the energy system under study are analyzed
and modeled with the method learned.
11. Project practice (stage 2): Simulation of energy system model (6 hours)
When the model of selected energy system has been setup, various integration
methods are applied to the model to observe the effects of algorithm selections. Skills
of debugging models are also discussed.

Teaching style
1 Normal lecture
2 Classroom exercise and discussion

Students learning style

1 Finishing homework assignments
3 Project work to understand the stages involved

Method of Assessment:
Course activities are weighted in the following way:

Attendance (20%)
Homework assignments (30%)
Project and report (50%)

Reference books:
Textbook
System Dynamics for Engineering Students: Concepts and Applications, 4th Edition,
2010
Nicolae Lobontiu
Elsevier Inc
ISBN : 0240811284 a
Other readings
Engineering System Dynamics: A Unified Graph-Centered Approach, 2nd edition,
2006
Forbes T. Brown
CRC Press
ISBN: 0849396484
Mathematical Modeling and Simulation: Introduction for Scientists and Engineers,
2009
Kai Velten
John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 3527407588