IRM20513 Thermodynamics (Autumn 2025)
Facts about the course
- ECTS Credits:
- 10
- Responsible faculty:
- Faculty of Computer Sciences, Engineering and Economics
- Campus:
- Fredrikstad
- Course Leader:
- Ole Kristian Førrisdahl
- Teaching language:
- The course is normally taught in Norwegian, but in the presence of international students, the instruction will be provided in English.
- Duration:
- ½ year
Table of contents
The course is affiliated to the following study programme
Recommended previous knowledge
Teaching semester
Content
The course will provide an introduction to the following topics:
- Thermodynamic concepts and definitions
- Thermodynamic systems and properties
- Dimensional analysis, energy terminology, thermodynamics, and heat transfer, thermal machines (steam and gas engines, compressors), and facilities for energy production, including hydropower and district heating systems
- Global and Norwegian energy situation. Alternative energy sources globally and for partial coverage of Norwegian energy needs
- Equations of state for the gas phase. Tables for thermodynamic properties
- Work and heat
- The first law of thermodynamics, cycle processes, state changes, internal energy, enthalpy, specific heat
- Open systems (control volumes), closed systems, steady processes
- The second law of thermodynamics. Reversible and irreversible processes
- Carnot process, the thermodynamic temperature scale, entropy
- Cycle processes for power generation and cooling
- Combustion
- Rankine, Otto, and Diesel processes
- Gas turbines, combined power plants
- New renewable energy sources (water, sun, wind, wave, tidal, salinity gradient)
- Refrigeration systems and heat pumps
- Heat transfer, conduction, convection, radiation, heat exchangers
- Academic writing of technical reports
The student's learning outcomes on passing the course
Knowledge
The student has extensive knowledge of:
- Properties of pure substances, phase equilibrium, and equations of state
- The energy law for closed systems
- The energy law for an open system with steady flow
- Entropy, state changes, cycle processes, reversible and irreversible processes
- Cycle processes for power generation and cooling
- Otto, diesel, and gas turbine processes
- Refrigeration systems and heat pumps
- Heat transfer and heat exchangers
Skills
The student
- can conduct energy analysis, dimensioning of simple thermal processes, selection of working medium, and calculates energy utilization.
General Competence:
The student
- can apply the knowledge to optimize energy production, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the utilization of renewable energy sources.
- can write concise technical reports in an academic manner.
Teaching and learning methods
Workload
Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam
- Approved 70% of mandatory exercises distributed over 15 assignments.
- Participation in one company visit.
The required coursework is assessed asapproved/not approved. The requirements must be approved before the student can present themselves for the exam.
Exam
The exam consists of two partial exams:
- Part 1: Written exam, individual. Duration: 4 hours (60%)
Aids permitted: Issued formula sheet. Calculator, with empty memory, which cannot calculate symbolically or communicate wirelessly.
- Part 2: Portfolio exam: Technical reports, individual (40%)
Both partial exams must be passed to receive a grade in the course.
An overall grade is given for the course according to grading rules A-F.
Examiners
Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams
Part 2
If a failing grade is awarded, the portfolio can be reworked once. This must take place in consultation with the person responsible for the course.
If a students wishes to improve their grade, all portfolio components must be prepared and re-submitted.
Re-exam is held early in the following semester. Technical reports can be revised once. More information about re-exams can be found her.