Course Websites

Subject offerings of new and developing areas of knowledge in mechanical engineering intended to augment the existing curriculum. See Class Schedule or departmental course information for topics and prerequisites. Course Information: 1 to 4 undergraduate hours. 1 to 4 graduate hours. May be repeated in the same or separate terms if topics vary to a maximum of 9 hours.

Heat pumps have been considered promising technology to achieve the national electrification and decarbonization goals. Principles and applications of heat pumps in various energy conversion systems. The first part of the course is focused on a general description of the thermodynamic principles of heat pumps, emphasizing the effects of the internal and external irreversibilities on the heat pumps? performances. Various types of heat pumps (air-source, water source and geothermal) and main components will be analyzed, also concerning their reciprocal interactions and those with the thermal environment they are in contact with. Implications of various working fluids used in both vapor compression as well the absorption heat pumps will be explored. The second part of the course dealt with various type of applications where heat pumps can be deployed. A comprehensive life cycle climate performance (LCCP) will be explored to establish the feasibility of the technology.