Engineering Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics Review

This set of flashcards covers fundamental concepts in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics including definitions of key terms and principles crucial for understanding the subject.

Vapor

A substance in the gaseous state below its critical temperature.

Critical Point

The condition of pressure and temperature at which a liquid and its vapor are indistinguishable.

Compressed Liquid

A condition where pressure of a liquid is increased beyond the saturation pressure at constant temperature.

Francis Turbine

A type of turbine that uses inward flow reaction.

Latent Heat of Vaporization

The heat required to convert a unit mass of a liquid into vapor without a change in temperature.

Fusion Curve

In a P-T diagram, the curve that separates the solid phase from the liquid phase.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom or the number of electrons in the orbit of an atom.

Energy Function in Pipeline

Fluid energy flowing at any section determined by pressure, density, and velocity of flow.

Pelton Turbine

A type of water turbine that works on the impulse principle.

Charles' Law

If the pressure of a confined gas is constant, the volume is directly proportional to the absolute temperature.

Black Body Radiation

Theoretical body that, when heated, emits a continuous light-ray spectrum.

Backfire

Ignition of the air-fuel mixture in the intake of the exhaust manifold.

Dew Point

The temperature at which air must be cooled at constant pressure to produce saturation.

Avogadro’s Number

The number of molecules in one mole of any substance.

Cogeneration

Simultaneous generation of electricity and steam (or heat) in a single power plant.

Subcooled Liquid

A state where a liquid's temperature is below its saturation temperature corresponding to its pressure.

Air Compressor

A pump used to increase air pressure above normal.

Hydraulic Gradient

The locus of elevations at which the potential energy of a fluid's elevation is measured.

Sensible Cooling Process

A process where moisture content does not change during cooling.

Flash Gas

In a flooded evaporator, the gas that passes directly into the suction line.

Adiabatic Process

A process with no heat transfer occurring.

Rankine Cycle

The cycle associated with the internal combustion of thermal engines that does not utilize.

Check Valve

A valve designed to allow fluid to pass through in one direction only.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Heat cannot be converted entirely into work without other effects.

Thermostatic Expansion Valve

A valve used to control refrigerant flow in refrigeration systems.

Cooling Tower

A structure used to dissipate heat absorbed by water in a cooling system.

Hygrometer

An instrument measuring the humidity of air.

Viscosity

A property of fluids that indicates their resistance to flow.

Specific Gravity

The ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a standard substance.

Pressure Relief Valve

A device used for automatically stopping the operation of a pressure-imposing element.

Thermodynamics Cycle

A series of processes that exchanges heat and work with the surroundings.

Hydraulic Jump

An abrupt reduction in flow velocity due to sudden increase of water depth.

Pneumatic Tools

Tools powered by compressed air.

Boiler Efficiency

Measure of a boiler’s ability to transfer heat given by the furnace to the water and steam.

Entropy

A measure of disorder or randomness in a system.

Dry Bulb Temperature

The temperature of air measured by a standard thermometer.

Relative Humidity

The ratio of the current amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum possible at that temperature.

Heat Pump

A device that transfers heat energy from a source to a sink.

Heat Transfer

The movement of thermal energy from one thing to another.

Thermal Radiation

The transfer of heat in the form of infrared radiation.