ID:
502548
Duration (hours):
30
CFU:
3
SSD:
FISICA TECNICA AMBIENTALE
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims to provide the technical bases necessary for the understanding and use of the fundamental principles of thermodynamics of equilibrium systems, energy analysis of closed and flowing systems, heat and mass transfer.
Through exercises, the concept will be applied to environmental processes, building structures, components and plants. In particular, the use of the fundamental equations of conservation of mass and energy is envisaged, with particular reference and application examples concerning building walls, humid air treatment and thermo-hydraulic components.
At the end of the course the student will be able to solve simplified problems related to the exchange of energy and mass, and to analyze various systems such as pumps, refrigeration systems, heat pumps, heat storage systems, radiant systems.
In addition, the student will have acquired the basic concepts allowing them to examine problems related to thermal insulation in buildings, the energy saving in structures, and others.
Through exercises, the concept will be applied to environmental processes, building structures, components and plants. In particular, the use of the fundamental equations of conservation of mass and energy is envisaged, with particular reference and application examples concerning building walls, humid air treatment and thermo-hydraulic components.
At the end of the course the student will be able to solve simplified problems related to the exchange of energy and mass, and to analyze various systems such as pumps, refrigeration systems, heat pumps, heat storage systems, radiant systems.
In addition, the student will have acquired the basic concepts allowing them to examine problems related to thermal insulation in buildings, the energy saving in structures, and others.
Course Prerequisites
Knowledge of mathematical tools (integrals, differentiation, derivatives, partial derivatives).
Fundamental concepts of physics.
Fundamental concepts of physics.
Teaching Methods
Frontal lessons on theory and concepts
Exercises and tutoring
Exercises and tutoring
Assessment Methods
Final written exam (2h 30min) including exercises on all the module topics (weight: 100% or 80% of the final mark in the case of optional coursework submission) in the prescribed online dates. Optional oral exam.
LSA students are asked to contact the teacher for the specific exam process.
More info at: https://saisd.unipv.it.
Optional essay/coursework on one of the application topics (weight of 20% of the total mark in case of submission).
Solved exam exercises are available on Kiro platform.
Access to the module news is indicated on the professor's webpage.
LSA students are asked to contact the teacher for the specific exam process.
More info at: https://saisd.unipv.it.
Optional essay/coursework on one of the application topics (weight of 20% of the total mark in case of submission).
Solved exam exercises are available on Kiro platform.
Access to the module news is indicated on the professor's webpage.
Texts
1. Michael J. Moran, Howard N. Shapiro, Daisie D. Boettner, Margaret B. Bailey, Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, 9th Edition, ISBN: 978-1-119-39138-8 January 2018, 880 Pages, Wiley
2. Theodore L. Bergman, Adrienne S. Lavine, Frank P. Incropera, David P. DeWitt, Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, 8th Edition, ISBN: 978-1-119-35388-1 December 2018, 992 Pages, Wiley
2. Theodore L. Bergman, Adrienne S. Lavine, Frank P. Incropera, David P. DeWitt, Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, 8th Edition, ISBN: 978-1-119-35388-1 December 2018, 992 Pages, Wiley
Contents
THERMODYNAMICS OF SYSTEMS IN EQUILIBRIUM
PART I
Introduction
Thermodynamic applications: overview of industrial fields in which the module's concepts can be applied.
Brief history of thermodynamics. Measurement units.
System, variables and thermodynamic constraints
Definition of a thermodynamic system. Homogeneous, heterogeneous, simple, compound system. Intensive, extensive variables. Walls and constraints: closed, open, insulated system.
Thermodynamic equilibrium
Equations of state. Quasistatic processes. Mechanical work: compression, expansion, extension.
First law of thermodynamics
The internal energy. Thermal equilibrium. Definition of heat. Examples of thermodynamic systems with various energy exchanges. First law of thermodynamics.
Ideal gases
Definition of ideal gas, equation of state of ideal gases. Specific heat of ideal gases. Mayer's law. Thermodynamic processes and their graphical representation. Notes on real gases.
PART II
Second law of thermodynamics
Postulates of thermodynamics. Definition of the entropy function. Reversible transformations. Gibbs equations. Joule experience: free expansion of a gas. Clausius and Kelvin postulates. Entropic balance of a closed system.
Carnot thermal efficiency. Absolute temperature.
Quasi-static deposits of work and heat.
Thermodynamic transformations of closed systems
Definition of enthalpy. Diagram P-T, P-V. Isobar transformation. Isothermal transformation. Adiabatic transformation. Isochoric transformation. Polytropic transformations. Polytropic index.
PART III
Substances and their transformations
Thermodynamic potentials, definition and properties.
Entropic derivation of specific heats, isothermal compressibility coefficient and thermal expansion at constant pressure.
Properties of a substance.
Diagram Pv and PT with phase change.
Phase transformations. The saturation lines, critical point, triple point. Gibbs' phase rule. Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
The Mollier diagram. Steam tables. Isobaric mixing. Isovolumic mixing. Thermodynamics processes with phase transitions.
PART IV
Open systems
Open systems. Definition of the control volume. Mass balance. Mass flow rate of a flow in a duct. Energy balance. Motion of fluids in ducts: tangential stress and energy degradation term. Speed profile: laminar case and turbulent case.
Moody's abacus.
Pressure heads: loss coefficients for various geometries.
Fluid dynamic devices
Turbine, compressor, pump, lamination valve.
Effects of irreversibility on the efficiency of a machine, isentropic efficiency.
HEAT TRANSFER
PART V
Heat conduction
The phenomena of heat transfer. Heat conduction: Fourier postulate. The energy balance: Fourier equation. Steady state conduction. Case of a single and multilayered wall (with and without heat generation).
Stationary conduction in cylindrical and spherical geometries.
Electrical similarity. Exercises on thermal resistances.
Conduction in variable regime. Semi-infinite slab.
Lumped parameter method, Biot number.
Convection
Newton's law. Convection coefficients and overall thermal resistance. Calculation of the convective coefficient: dimensionless numbers. Semi-empirical correlations.
PART VI
Radiation
Radiation. Emissive power. Radiation intensity. Angular and global monochromatic sizes. The black body: Plank's law, Stefan-Boltzman-Wien law. Irradiation, absorption coefficients, reflection and transmission. The emission coefficient. Kirchhoff's law. The gray body. Exchange of heat between black bodies. The view factor. Heat exchange between gray bodies. Electrical analogy of radiative exchange. Radiative heat exchange between two and more surfaces.
Heat exchanger
Heat exchangers. The balance of mass and energy. Exchangers in equicurrent and countercurrent Heat flow capacity. The average logarithmic temperature.
Efficiency of a heat exchanger. epsilon-NTU method.
APPLICATION TOPICS
Humid air
Ideal gas mixtures. Gibbs' theorem. Entropy of mixing. Humid air. The Mollier diagram, the Carrier diagram. Processes of moist air: heating, cooling, compression.
Mixing of moist air.
Thermodynamic cycles
Introduction to reverse cycles. Steam refrigeration cycle. Diagram p-h. Refrigerants. Heat pump. Exercises on the calculation of the characteristics of the cycles: enthalpies, compression work, powers, C.O.P, flow rates, lamination valves.
Definition of exergy and its applications.
HVAC systems
Controlled mechanical ventilation, design criteria. Types of air conditioning system. Sizing of a AHU (summer/winter operation), sensitive and latent thermal loads. Design data.
HVAC system sizing: distribution networks and circulation pumps.
Heat transfer applied to the building envelope
Thermophysical properties of materials. Heat conduction in multilayer walls. 2D/3D thermal conduction. Thermal bridges. Condensate formation in multilayer walls. Internal radiation. Sizing of a radiator. Hygrometric problems of buildings: risk of high surface humidity and interstitial condensation.
PART I
Introduction
Thermodynamic applications: overview of industrial fields in which the module's concepts can be applied.
Brief history of thermodynamics. Measurement units.
System, variables and thermodynamic constraints
Definition of a thermodynamic system. Homogeneous, heterogeneous, simple, compound system. Intensive, extensive variables. Walls and constraints: closed, open, insulated system.
Thermodynamic equilibrium
Equations of state. Quasistatic processes. Mechanical work: compression, expansion, extension.
First law of thermodynamics
The internal energy. Thermal equilibrium. Definition of heat. Examples of thermodynamic systems with various energy exchanges. First law of thermodynamics.
Ideal gases
Definition of ideal gas, equation of state of ideal gases. Specific heat of ideal gases. Mayer's law. Thermodynamic processes and their graphical representation. Notes on real gases.
PART II
Second law of thermodynamics
Postulates of thermodynamics. Definition of the entropy function. Reversible transformations. Gibbs equations. Joule experience: free expansion of a gas. Clausius and Kelvin postulates. Entropic balance of a closed system.
Carnot thermal efficiency. Absolute temperature.
Quasi-static deposits of work and heat.
Thermodynamic transformations of closed systems
Definition of enthalpy. Diagram P-T, P-V. Isobar transformation. Isothermal transformation. Adiabatic transformation. Isochoric transformation. Polytropic transformations. Polytropic index.
PART III
Substances and their transformations
Thermodynamic potentials, definition and properties.
Entropic derivation of specific heats, isothermal compressibility coefficient and thermal expansion at constant pressure.
Properties of a substance.
Diagram Pv and PT with phase change.
Phase transformations. The saturation lines, critical point, triple point. Gibbs' phase rule. Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
The Mollier diagram. Steam tables. Isobaric mixing. Isovolumic mixing. Thermodynamics processes with phase transitions.
PART IV
Open systems
Open systems. Definition of the control volume. Mass balance. Mass flow rate of a flow in a duct. Energy balance. Motion of fluids in ducts: tangential stress and energy degradation term. Speed profile: laminar case and turbulent case.
Moody's abacus.
Pressure heads: loss coefficients for various geometries.
Fluid dynamic devices
Turbine, compressor, pump, lamination valve.
Effects of irreversibility on the efficiency of a machine, isentropic efficiency.
HEAT TRANSFER
PART V
Heat conduction
The phenomena of heat transfer. Heat conduction: Fourier postulate. The energy balance: Fourier equation. Steady state conduction. Case of a single and multilayered wall (with and without heat generation).
Stationary conduction in cylindrical and spherical geometries.
Electrical similarity. Exercises on thermal resistances.
Conduction in variable regime. Semi-infinite slab.
Lumped parameter method, Biot number.
Convection
Newton's law. Convection coefficients and overall thermal resistance. Calculation of the convective coefficient: dimensionless numbers. Semi-empirical correlations.
PART VI
Radiation
Radiation. Emissive power. Radiation intensity. Angular and global monochromatic sizes. The black body: Plank's law, Stefan-Boltzman-Wien law. Irradiation, absorption coefficients, reflection and transmission. The emission coefficient. Kirchhoff's law. The gray body. Exchange of heat between black bodies. The view factor. Heat exchange between gray bodies. Electrical analogy of radiative exchange. Radiative heat exchange between two and more surfaces.
Heat exchanger
Heat exchangers. The balance of mass and energy. Exchangers in equicurrent and countercurrent Heat flow capacity. The average logarithmic temperature.
Efficiency of a heat exchanger. epsilon-NTU method.
APPLICATION TOPICS
Humid air
Ideal gas mixtures. Gibbs' theorem. Entropy of mixing. Humid air. The Mollier diagram, the Carrier diagram. Processes of moist air: heating, cooling, compression.
Mixing of moist air.
Thermodynamic cycles
Introduction to reverse cycles. Steam refrigeration cycle. Diagram p-h. Refrigerants. Heat pump. Exercises on the calculation of the characteristics of the cycles: enthalpies, compression work, powers, C.O.P, flow rates, lamination valves.
Definition of exergy and its applications.
HVAC systems
Controlled mechanical ventilation, design criteria. Types of air conditioning system. Sizing of a AHU (summer/winter operation), sensitive and latent thermal loads. Design data.
HVAC system sizing: distribution networks and circulation pumps.
Heat transfer applied to the building envelope
Thermophysical properties of materials. Heat conduction in multilayer walls. 2D/3D thermal conduction. Thermal bridges. Condensate formation in multilayer walls. Internal radiation. Sizing of a radiator. Hygrometric problems of buildings: risk of high surface humidity and interstitial condensation.
Course Language
Italian
Degrees
Degrees
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
No Results Found
People
People (3)
Teaching staff
No Results Found