Final ePortfolio Reflective Letter.

The best way I learned the material in this course was developed by different techniques both visual and tactile. In this classroom we were taught very  thoroughly by listening and thinking about the lectures. Then after learning the many topics of thermal applications we go to practice problems in class then reinforce what we learned in class by doing homework. All of that work that I did in class and then the homework out of class applied all of these course objectives.

  • Develop an intuitive understanding of how to apply the first and the second law of thermodynamics to different thermal systems.
  • Apply thermodynamics laws to gas turbines Engines using ideal cycles, reheating regeneration, and inter-cooling cycles.
  • Analyze the ideal Internal Combustion Engines cycles using air as the working fluid.
  • Apply thermodynamics laws to Jet Propulsion Engines using ideal cycles.
  • Apply Rankine Cycle with superheating, re-heating, and regeneration to steam power plants.
  • Develop a clear understanding the basic operation of combined gas turbines vapor cycles, co-generation and binary vapor cycles
  • Define the thermal efficiency, second law efficiency, and energy availability.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge of understanding of the basic vapor compression refrigeration and heat pumps cycles.
  • Develop the knowledge to calculate moist air properties (Psychrometry). •
  • Define different air-conditioning processes using the Psychometric chart.

Where your learning is demonstrated in the course? 

I learned most by first listening in class and following along the practice problems from each lecture in the Unit. Then during the lecture Dr. Ayala spends time to analyze and explain the problem before solving it, this takes time therefore the solutions are provided on blackboard and so he can take the time to explain it. Then after class follow the solution to the problems done in class and practice the homework assigned.

What areas did you feel you were most successful, or improved the most?

I felt most successful in the third unit/test of the course, because we built all the knowledge in the previous two units to apply for the third unit. Also there was some chemistry involved in which I have took Chemistry 1 and Chemistry 2 here at ODU. The third unit involved Heat pumps, Gas Mixtures, and refrigeration cycles which after learning material throughout the semester made learning the third unit easier.

How do you see this course’s content intersecting with your field or career?

Thermal Applications and Thermodynamics the prerequisite for this course is so crucial for the Mechanical Engineering field. This topic is what separates the mechanical engineering discipline from other engineering disciplines. This course will be intersecting with my course in the fall 17′, Heat transfer. In the future for my career, my knowledge of thermal applications is to be expected of me.

Have you been able to apply concepts you have learned in the course to what you do at work or in other courses?

I have applied the concepts in this class to a engineering ethics class that is required in the curriculum. I wrote a paper on sustainability and applied the thermal cycles and material on the first test to the paper. I currently do not work in a field of engineering therefore I haven’t applied it to a job but in the future I plan too or for future classes.

How, when, where and why you might use this information or skill in the future?

I will be using the skills in thermal Applications for a class I am taking in the fall, Heat Transfer. Both of these topics will be on the Fundamental of Engineering exam which I am planning on taking after I graduate therefore both these topics are very important. In the mechanical engineering discipline thermal applications are used everyday, for example: air conditioning, gas cycles, and mixtures. For any kind of career in this field I will have to use the knowledge learned in thermal applications.