SOLAR THERMAL TECHNOLOGIES (PDF file)
Spring 2009
T-TH 9:05-11:00, Rapson Hall Room 54
This course will focus on the fundamentals and applications of solar thermal energy systems. The subject is an application of the fundamental knowledge gained in an undergraduate heat transfer course. Completion of an undergraduate course in thermodynamics and heat transfer is a prerequisite to registration.
Instructor:
Professor Jane Davidson
3101E Mechanical Engineering
626-9850
jhd@me.umn.edu
Office Hours Tu, Th 11-12, or by appointment (email or just ask in class)
Text: SOLAR ENGINEERING OF THERMAL PROCESSES - Third Edition, by Duffie and Beckman. Selected Reading to be assigned.
Assignments: Reading and homework assignments will be given during class lecture. The tentative schedule includes recommended reading and homework for most weeks. In general homework will be due at the beginning of lecture on Tuesdays. You may work with other students on the homework problems. Begin on them early so that there will be time for productive discussion. Late problem sets will not be accepted.
Some of the homework problems will be much easier to work using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES). This package is particularly useful for thermodynamic calculations as extensive property tables are included. We will also use F-Chart, a design tool for solar thermal systems. You may obtain the software free of charge at www.menet.umn.edu/dist. Later in the semester, you may want to use f-chart which is also available at www.menet.umn.edu/dist.
Project: There will be two projects.
1) Independent individual research on a topic in renewable energy not covered in class. A list of acceptable topics will be provided. A report and oral presentation to the class will be required and scheduled throughout the semester.
2) A
team design project that will integrate various aspects of the course and will provide you some real life experience. The project will be collaboration with students in Architecture. A report and oral presentation will be required and will be due the last week of class. Date and time of oral presentaitons TBA.
Grading:
Homework 20% (participation)
Exams (2) 40%
Individual Research Project 10%
Team Project 30%
Grading Standards
University of Minnesota Grading Standards:
A Achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements
B Achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements
C Achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect
D Achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements
F (or N) Represents failure (or no credit) and signifies that the work was either: 1) completed but at a level of achievement that is not worthy of credit or 2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an incomplete.
I (Incomplete) Assigned at the discretion of the instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances, e.g., hospitalization, a student is prevented from completing the work of the course on time. Requires a written agreement between instructor and student.
Academic Dishonesty The Institute of Technology expects the highest standards of honesty and integrity in the academic performance of its students. Any act of scholastic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense, which may result in expulsion. The Institute of Technology defines scholastic dishonesty as submission of false records of academic achievement; cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing, altering, forging, or misusing an academic record; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; acting alone or in cooperation with another to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement. Aiding and abetting an act of scholastic dishonesty is also considered a serious offense.
Dishonesty in this class will be treated as a failure of the entire course. |
Return
to: U of M Home
