Excel Thermal Systems: This page contains Excel files (mix of “flat” xlsx and “macro-enabled” xlsm). Each file represents a worked-out application for an engineering problem assocated with thermal energy or thermal systems. Nearly every example problem illustrates some kind of situation I’ve encountered when working in a manufacturing environment.
Thermophysical Properties of Water and Steam: Heat transfer properties (thermal conductivity, specific heat, Prandtl number, density) of saturated water and saturated vapor) are tabulated as a function of temperature. Since water is an incompressible fluid, use the thermal properties of saturated liquid for all compressed liquid water at the temperature of the fluid.
Automotive Drag, Rolling Resistance, and Power Calculator: This Excel file illustrates how to estimate an automobile’s coefficient-of-drag, determine rolling resistance (based on weight and tire pressure), and ultimately the power required for operation on level ground. A comparison is made between costs for operating a fuel-powered engine drive or an electric drive.
Combustion Reaction Calculations (English Units) This Excel tool works out the “energy balance” (first law of thermodynamics) for a steady state steady flow open system with fuel-and-air (reactants) entering and exhaust gas (products) leaving. This file contains a full table of enthalpy-of-formation for various hydrocarbon fuels, and enthalpy values for various gases as a function of temperature. Both these tables are needed for the energy balance. The tables in this file are in the English system of units.
Combustion Reaction Calculations (SI Units) Same as tool, above, but properties are tabulated in SI units.
Rankine Cycle Analysis Demo: This file has been created to demonstrate how to analyze a basic Rankine steam power plant cycle with a superheated vapor steam turbine throttle (inlet) condition. Each cycle component is analyzed in a separate Excel tab, and the tabs are interlinked by a “master tab” that puts together the four components: boiler, turbine, condenser, feedwater pump. The user has the ability to adjust the turbine inlet conditions and the condenser pressure and to define the isentropic turbine and pump efficiencies. The user can study how variations in the input values affect the plant’s thermal efficiency.
Steam Equipment Analysis Examples: Worked-out examples for boiler, pump, steam turbine, pressure reducing valve, desuperheater, condenser, closed feedwater heater, open feedwater heater, flash tank, air-to-water heat exchanger (economizer)
Draw P-v and T-s Vapor Domes to Scale: What does a steam vapor dome look like, to scale, on a P-v diagram? On a T-s diagram? This file answers those questions and demonstrates how to generate a water/steam vapor dome, to scale, in Excel. This enables you to Save As… and begin your own project work and problem-solving work without starting from scratch.
Steam Plant Analysis Demo: Step-by-Step analysis of a classic steam power plant. Check out this Excel file to better understand “where to start” (START WITH A SKETCH) and how to proceed in this lengthy nearly-real-world analysis.