Undergraduate Teaching 2025-26

Lecturers

Dr S Goetz, Dr T Flack

Lab Leader

Timing and Structure

Lent term. 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Build on the Electrical Power Course given in Part 1B.
Recognise that electrical motor drives in applications of all kinds are required to perform at high efficiency, controllability and reliability.
Study electric drives for: medium power applications; precision applications; high power transport and industrial applications; domestic applications.
Understand permanent magnet motors and their drive systems with a special focus on all-electric vehicles.
Examine the magnetic design of permanent magnet motors, focusing on soft magnetic and permanent magnetic materials, saturation and iron losses.
Study stepper motors which are used in robotics, 2-D and 3-D printers.
Understand the main design principles of large three-phase induction motors.
Study electric drive systems based on three-phase induction motors.
Examine mechanisms for heat production and removal in electrical machines, and be able to carry out thermal analysis for duty-cycling operation.
Study single-phase induction motor drive systems which are dominant in domestic applications such as white goods.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the basic principles of operation.
Be able to apply simple motor design rules.
Be able to specify diffferent motors for different applications.
Understand the design contstriants on multiple motor machines.
Appreciate magnetic and thermal constraints.
Be aware of different magnet materials and suitability for motor operation.

Content

The subject of electric drive systems is a vast one, and so the syllabus has been designed to give the student an appreciation of this very important area of engineering by focusing on four areas: electric drives for medium power applications such as electric vehicles (drives based on permanent magnet motors); automation drives with applications such as robotics, 3-D printers (based around stepper motors); large drives for transport/industry (based around the three-phase induction motor); domestic drive systems based around the single-phase induction motor. The course illustrates the idea that the engineering of electric drive systems is multidisciplinary, involving an understanding of mechanics, control systems, power electronics, electromagnetics for machine design, electrical materials and thermal design.

Introduction to Electric Drive Systems (1 lecture)

What is an electric drive system? Range of applications. Components of a drive system. Drive based around brushed DC motor: DC motor principles and operating characteristics; sensors; mechanical load; controller; power electronic converter.

Permanent magnet machines (4 lectures)

Brushed permanent magnet machines and drive systems; principles of operation; analysis; transient behaviour and electrical/electromechanical times constants.

Trapezoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation as an electric drive system; sensored and sensorless operation.

Sinusoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation; electric drive system and control; application.

All-electric vehicle: an examination of the specificationof the electric drive system of the NissanLeaf. How the main design choices are made. Consequences for range, top speed, acceleration, efficiency and CO2 emissions.

Magnetic design (1 lecture)

Characteristics of soft and permanent magnetic materials. Analysis using magnetic circuits. Iron loss calculations. Designing with permanent magnet materials.

Stepper motors (2 lectures)

Construction, theory of operation and analysis. Position error. Torque-position characteristic and oscillatory behaviour and its avoidance. Operation at speed and when accelerating. Commissioning. Types of excitation: full-stepping, half-stepping, micro-stepping. Drive circuits.

Basic machine design (2 lectures)

Stator structure including winding and core. Electrical and magnetic loadings. Machine ratings and basic requirement specification. Basic machine design procedure and process.

Induction machine operation (2 lectures)

Operatingcharacteristics of induction machine. Maximum torque and starting torque of induction machines. Speed control methods of induction machine: adjusting stator voltage, adjusting rotor resistance, variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) method.

Thermal duty cycle of electric machines (2 lectures)

Temperature expression and thermal analysis of electric machines. Basic cooling methods and over temperature protection of electric machine.

Single phase induction machine and universal AC machine (2 lectures)

Theory and equivalent circuit of single phase induction machines. Operating characteristics of single phase induction machines. Equivalent circuit of universal AC machines. Typical applications of universal AC machines.

Examples papers

4 examples papers issued at 2 week intervals to coincide with the lecture material.

Coursework

Electric drive for vehicles

Aim: To understand how an electrical drive system based around a brushless DC motor functions, and to investigate its performance.

Learning objectives:

To characterise the components of the drive system through a series of tests.
To perform experiments on the drive system under steady-state conditions in order to understand how it works, and to compare experimental results with theory.
To investigate the transient behaviour of the drive system during typical drive-cycles.

Practical information:

Sessions will take place in the EIETL during the Lent term.
It is best to do the lab after lecture 5 so that all of the background material has been covered.
Prepare for the lab by reading the lab handout and going over lectures 1 - 5.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

GT1

Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

D4

Ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US2

A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

Last modified: 30/05/2023 15:18

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3B4: Electric Drive Systems, 2025-26

Module Leader

Prof T Long

Lecturers

Prof T Long, Prof T Coombs

Lab Leader

Prof T Long

Timing and Structure

Lent term. 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Build on the Electrical Power Course given in Part 1B.
Recognise that electrical motor drives in applications of all kinds are required to perform at high efficiency, controllability and reliability.
Study electric drives for: medium power applications; precision applications; high power transport and industrial applications; domestic applications.
Understand permanent magnet motors and their drive systems with a special focus on all-electric vehicles.
Examine the magnetic design of permanent magnet motors, focusing on soft magnetic and permanent magnetic materials, saturation and iron losses.
Study stepper motors which are used in robotics, 2-D and 3-D printers.
Understand the main design principles of large three-phase induction motors.
Study electric drive systems based on three-phase induction motors.
Examine mechanisms for heat production and removal in electrical machines, and be able to carry out thermal analysis for duty-cycling operation.
Study single-phase induction motor drive systems which are dominant in domestic applications such as white goods.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the basic principles of operation.
Be able to apply simple motor design rules.
Be able to specify diffferent motors for different applications.
Understand the design contstriants on multiple motor machines.
Appreciate magnetic and thermal constraints.
Be aware of different magnet materials and suitability for motor operation.

Content

Introduction to Electric Drive Systems (1 lecture)

Permanent magnet machines (4 lectures)

Brushed permanent magnet machines and drive systems; principles of operation; analysis; transient behaviour and electrical/electromechanical times constants.

Trapezoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation as an electric drive system; sensored and sensorless operation.

Sinusoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation; electric drive system and control; application.

Magnetic design (1 lecture)

Characteristics of soft and permanent magnetic materials. Analysis using magnetic circuits. Iron loss calculations. Designing with permanent magnet materials.

Stepper motors (2 lectures)

Basic machine design (2 lectures)

Stator structure including winding and core. Electrical and magnetic loadings. Machine ratings and basic requirement specification. Basic machine design procedure and process.

Induction machine operation (2 lectures)

Thermal duty cycle of electric machines (2 lectures)

Temperature expression and thermal analysis of electric machines. Basic cooling methods and over temperature protection of electric machine.

Single phase induction machine and universal AC machine (2 lectures)

Examples papers

4 examples papers issued at 2 week intervals to coincide with the lecture material.

Coursework

Electric drive for vehicles

Aim: To understand how an electrical drive system based around a brushless DC motor functions, and to investigate its performance.

Learning objectives:

To characterise the components of the drive system through a series of tests.
To perform experiments on the drive system under steady-state conditions in order to understand how it works, and to compare experimental results with theory.
To investigate the transient behaviour of the drive system during typical drive-cycles.

Practical information:

Sessions will take place in the EIETL during the Lent term.
It is best to do the lab after lecture 5 so that all of the background material has been covered.
Prepare for the lab by reading the lab handout and going over lectures 1 - 5.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

GT1

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

D4

Ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US2

A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.

US3

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

Last modified: 05/06/2025 13:45

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3B4: Electric Drive Systems, 2018-19

Module Leader

Lecturers

Dr T Long and Dr T Flack

Lab Leader

Dr T Long

Timing and Structure

Lent term. 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Build on the Electrical Power Course given in Part 1B.
Recognise that electrical motor drives in applications of all kinds are required to perform at high efficiency, controllability and reliability.
Study electric drives for: medium power applications; precision applications; high power transport and industrial applications; domestic applications.
Understand permanent magnet motors and their drive systems with a special focus on all-electric vehicles.
Examine the magnetic design of permanent magnet motors, focusing on soft magnetic and permanent magnetic materials, saturation and iron losses.
Study stepper motors which are used in robotics, 2-D and 3-D printers.
Understand the main design principles of large three-phase induction motors.
Study electric drive systems based on three-phase induction motors.
Examine mechanisms for heat production and removal in electrical machines, and be able to carry out thermal analysis for duty-cycling operation.
Study single-phase induction motor drive systems which are dominant in domestic applications such as white goods.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the basic principles of operation.
Be able to apply simple motor design rules.
Be able to specify diffferent motors for different applications.
Understand the design contstriants on multiple motor machines.
Appreciate magnetic and thermal constraints.
Be aware of different magnet materials and suitability for motor operation.

Content

Introduction to Electric Drive Systems (1 lecture)

Permanent magnet machines (4 lectures)

Brushed permanent magnet machines and drive systems; principles of operation; analysis; transient behaviour and electrical/electromechanical times constants.

Trapezoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation as an electric drive system; sensored and sensorless operation.

Sinusoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation; electric drive system and control; application.

Magnetic design (1 lecture)

Characteristics of soft and permanent magnetic materials. Analysis using magnetic circuits. Iron loss calculations. Designing with permanent magnet materials.

Stepper motors (2 lectures)

Basic machine design (2 lectures)

Stator structure including winding and core. Electrical and magnetic loadings. Machine ratings and basic requirement specification. Basic machine design procedure and process.

Induction machine operation (2 lectures)

Thermal duty cycle of electric machines (2 lectures)

Temperature expression and thermal analysis of electric machines. Basic cooling methods and over temperature protection of electric machine.

Single phase induction machine and universal AC machine (2 lectures)

Examples papers

4 examples papers issued at 2 week intervals to coincide with the lecture material.

Coursework

Electric drive for vehicles

Aim: To understand how an electrical drive system based around a brushless DC motor functions, and to investigate its performance.

Learning objectives:

To characterise the components of the drive system through a series of tests.
To perform experiments on the drive system under steady-state conditions in order to understand how it works, and to compare experimental results with theory.
To investigate the transient behaviour of the drive system during typical drive-cycles.

Practical information:

Sessions will take place in the EIETL during the Lent term.
It is best to do the lab after lecture 5 so that all of the background material has been covered.
Prepare for the lab by reading the lab handout and going over lectures 1 - 5.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references for this module.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

GT1

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

D4

Ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US2

A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.

US3

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

Last modified: 05/06/2018 14:06

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3B4: Electric Drive Systems, 2019-20

Module Leader

Lecturers

Dr T Long and Dr M Ainslie

Lab Leader

Dr T Long

Timing and Structure

Lent term. 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Build on the Electrical Power Course given in Part 1B.
Recognise that electrical motor drives in applications of all kinds are required to perform at high efficiency, controllability and reliability.
Study electric drives for: medium power applications; precision applications; high power transport and industrial applications; domestic applications.
Understand permanent magnet motors and their drive systems with a special focus on all-electric vehicles.
Examine the magnetic design of permanent magnet motors, focusing on soft magnetic and permanent magnetic materials, saturation and iron losses.
Study stepper motors which are used in robotics, 2-D and 3-D printers.
Understand the main design principles of large three-phase induction motors.
Study electric drive systems based on three-phase induction motors.
Examine mechanisms for heat production and removal in electrical machines, and be able to carry out thermal analysis for duty-cycling operation.
Study single-phase induction motor drive systems which are dominant in domestic applications such as white goods.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the basic principles of operation.
Be able to apply simple motor design rules.
Be able to specify diffferent motors for different applications.
Understand the design contstriants on multiple motor machines.
Appreciate magnetic and thermal constraints.
Be aware of different magnet materials and suitability for motor operation.

Content

Introduction to Electric Drive Systems (1 lecture)

Permanent magnet machines (4 lectures)

Brushed permanent magnet machines and drive systems; principles of operation; analysis; transient behaviour and electrical/electromechanical times constants.

Trapezoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation as an electric drive system; sensored and sensorless operation.

Sinusoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation; electric drive system and control; application.

Magnetic design (1 lecture)

Characteristics of soft and permanent magnetic materials. Analysis using magnetic circuits. Iron loss calculations. Designing with permanent magnet materials.

Stepper motors (2 lectures)

Basic machine design (2 lectures)

Stator structure including winding and core. Electrical and magnetic loadings. Machine ratings and basic requirement specification. Basic machine design procedure and process.

Induction machine operation (2 lectures)

Thermal duty cycle of electric machines (2 lectures)

Temperature expression and thermal analysis of electric machines. Basic cooling methods and over temperature protection of electric machine.

Single phase induction machine and universal AC machine (2 lectures)

Examples papers

4 examples papers issued at 2 week intervals to coincide with the lecture material.

Coursework

Electric drive for vehicles

Aim: To understand how an electrical drive system based around a brushless DC motor functions, and to investigate its performance.

Learning objectives:

To characterise the components of the drive system through a series of tests.
To perform experiments on the drive system under steady-state conditions in order to understand how it works, and to compare experimental results with theory.
To investigate the transient behaviour of the drive system during typical drive-cycles.

Practical information:

Sessions will take place in the EIETL during the Lent term.
It is best to do the lab after lecture 5 so that all of the background material has been covered.
Prepare for the lab by reading the lab handout and going over lectures 1 - 5.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references for this module.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

GT1

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

D4

Ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US2

A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.

US3

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

Last modified: 15/05/2019 09:44

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3B4: Electric Drive Systems, 2022-23

Module Leader

Prof T Long

Lecturers

Dr S Goetz, Prof T Long

Lab Leader

Prof F Udrea

Timing and Structure

Lent term. 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Build on the Electrical Power Course given in Part 1B.
Recognise that electrical motor drives in applications of all kinds are required to perform at high efficiency, controllability and reliability.
Study electric drives for: medium power applications; precision applications; high power transport and industrial applications; domestic applications.
Understand permanent magnet motors and their drive systems with a special focus on all-electric vehicles.
Examine the magnetic design of permanent magnet motors, focusing on soft magnetic and permanent magnetic materials, saturation and iron losses.
Study stepper motors which are used in robotics, 2-D and 3-D printers.
Understand the main design principles of large three-phase induction motors.
Study electric drive systems based on three-phase induction motors.
Examine mechanisms for heat production and removal in electrical machines, and be able to carry out thermal analysis for duty-cycling operation.
Study single-phase induction motor drive systems which are dominant in domestic applications such as white goods.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the basic principles of operation.
Be able to apply simple motor design rules.
Be able to specify diffferent motors for different applications.
Understand the design contstriants on multiple motor machines.
Appreciate magnetic and thermal constraints.
Be aware of different magnet materials and suitability for motor operation.

Content

Introduction to Electric Drive Systems (1 lecture)

Permanent magnet machines (4 lectures)

Brushed permanent magnet machines and drive systems; principles of operation; analysis; transient behaviour and electrical/electromechanical times constants.

Trapezoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation as an electric drive system; sensored and sensorless operation.

Sinusoidal brushless DC motors: construction, theory and operation; electric drive system and control; application.

Magnetic design (1 lecture)

Characteristics of soft and permanent magnetic materials. Analysis using magnetic circuits. Iron loss calculations. Designing with permanent magnet materials.

Stepper motors (2 lectures)

Basic machine design (2 lectures)

Stator structure including winding and core. Electrical and magnetic loadings. Machine ratings and basic requirement specification. Basic machine design procedure and process.

Induction machine operation (2 lectures)

Thermal duty cycle of electric machines (2 lectures)

Temperature expression and thermal analysis of electric machines. Basic cooling methods and over temperature protection of electric machine.

Single phase induction machine and universal AC machine (2 lectures)

Examples papers

4 examples papers issued at 2 week intervals to coincide with the lecture material.

Coursework

Electric drive for vehicles

Aim: To understand how an electrical drive system based around a brushless DC motor functions, and to investigate its performance.

Learning objectives:

To characterise the components of the drive system through a series of tests.
To perform experiments on the drive system under steady-state conditions in order to understand how it works, and to compare experimental results with theory.
To investigate the transient behaviour of the drive system during typical drive-cycles.

Practical information:

Sessions will take place in the EIETL during the Lent term.
It is best to do the lab after lecture 5 so that all of the background material has been covered.
Prepare for the lab by reading the lab handout and going over lectures 1 - 5.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

GT1

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

D4

Ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US2

A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.

US3

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

Last modified: 23/11/2022 08:36

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3A5: Thermodynamics & Power Generation, 2023-24

Module Leader

Lecturers

Dr A J White, Prof A Wheeler

Lab Leader

Prof A Wheeler

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas term. Thermodynamics 2 lectures/week, weeks 1-4 (Dr Alex White); Power Generation: 2 lectures/week, weeks 5-8 (Prof Andy Wheeler). 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Introduce some new concepts in thermodynamics, especially relating to chemical thermodynamics
Focus on electricity power generation and the underlying thermodynamic theory.
Introduce some concepts in thermo-mechanical energy storage to support intermittent generation technologies.
Cover topics including power generation by direct electrochemical conversion by fuel cells, gas turbines, Rankine and combined cycles.
Introduce some advanced cycle concepts, hydrogen-fuelled power plant and discuss the possibility of carbon dioxide capture and storage.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the principles of exergy analysis, be able to calculate the lost work terms of power cycle components.
Know the importance of the Helmholtz and Gibbs functions, the uses of standard property changes in chemical reactions, and the idea of rational efficiency..
Understand the principles of electrochemical energy conversion, be aware of different types of fuel cell technology, be able to calculate the Gibbs and Nernst potentials, and have a basic knowledge of fuel cell losses.
Understand the principles of phase equilibrium, the role of the chemical potential, and the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
Understand equation of state theory including characteristic form, Maxwell’s relations, ideal gases, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals form, and law of corresponding states.
Understand chemical equilibrium theory and the use of the equilbrium constant, be able to perform calculations for gas mixtures with one or two independent reactions, and be able to apply van’t Hoff’s equation.
Appreciate the need for energy storage and apply exergetic analysis to some thermo-mechanical storage concepts.
Understand the rôle of a range of thermodynamic cycles in electricity power generation and be conversant with likely future developments.
Be able to evaluate the performance of gas turbine plants including reheat, intercooling and recuperation.
Be able to evaluate the performance of Rankine power plants including reheat and feedheating.
Be able to evaluate the performance of combined cycles.
Understand the issues involved in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide.

Content

Introduction, Thermodynamics and Energy Storage (9L)

Overview of current and future electricity power generation, and the associated carbon emissions.
Thermodynamic availability, lost work and entropy production, exergy analysis, application to power cycles.
Gibbs and Helmholtz functions, standard property changes in chemical reactions, overall and rational efficiencies, electrochemical conversion, fuel cells (theory and practice).
Equilibrium criteria, phase equilibrium, chemical potential, Clapeyron equation, equations of state, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals equation.
Gibbs equation, chemical equilibrium, chemical potential of ideal gas, equilibrium constant, gas phase reactions, van’t Hoff equation.
Role of energy storage, description and anaysis of some storage tehnologies.

Power Generation (7L)

Gas turbines (GTs) with intercooling, reheat and recuperation.
Hydrogen-fired GTs and hydrogen production.
Rankine cycles with feed heating and reheat. Thermodynamic cycles for nuclear, biomass, solar and geothermal power and low-grade heat recovery.
Combined cycles (CCs): gas-steam CCGTs and and other CCs, including those employing Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs).
Advanced cycles and carbon dioxide sequestration.

Examples papers

1B revision, exergetic analysis, chemical exergy and fuel cells
Gibbs and Helmholtz functions, phase and chemical equilibrium, equations of state, energy storage.
Gas turbine plant, intercooling and recuperation.
Steam plant, reheat, feed heat, combined cycles and ORCs.

Coursework

Computer based cycle simulation

Learning objectives:

To consolidate the concept of exergy covered in lectures, and to apply this to the analysis of power-generating gas turbine cycles.
To study the methods by which the efficiency and specific work output of a simple gas turbine plant may be improved.
To investigate trends in cycle performance with various design parameters.

Practical information:

Sessions will be able to complete the coursework online starting from week 2.
This activity doesn't involve preliminary work.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

GT1

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

S3

Understanding of the requirement for engineering activities to promote sustainable development.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US2

A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.

US3

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

Last modified: 28/09/2023 09:20

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3A5: Thermodynamics & Power Generation, 2017-18

Module Leader

Dr G Pullan

Lecturers

Dr A J White and Dr G Pullan

Lab Leader

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas term. Thermodynamics 2 lectures/week, weeks 1-4 (Dr A J White); Power Generation: 2 lectures/week, weeks 5-8 (Dr G Pullan). 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Focus on electricity power generation and the underlying thermodynamic theory.
Cover topics including power generation by gas, steam and combined cycles, and direct electrochemical conversion by fuel cells.
Introduce some advanced cycle concepts and discuss the possibility of carbon dioxide capture and storage.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the principles of exergy analysis, be able to calculate the lost work terms of power cycle components.
Know the importance of the Helmholtz and Gibbs functions, the uses of standard property changes in chemical reactions, and the idea of rational efficiency..
Understand the principles of electrochemical energy conversion, be aware of different types of fuel cell technology, be able to calculate the Gibbs and Nernst potentials, and have a basic knowledge of fuel cell losses.
Understand the principles of phase equilibrium, the role of the chemical potential, and the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
Understand equation of state theory including characteristic form, Maxwell’s relations, ideal gases, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals form, and law of corresponding states.
Understand chemical equilibrium theory and the use of the equilbrium constant, be able to perform calculations for gas mixtures with one or two independent reactions, and be able to apply van’t Hoff’s equation.
Understand the rôle of steam and gas turbine cycles in electricity power generation and be conversant with likely future developments.
Be able to evaluate the performance of gas turbine plants including reheat, intercooling and recuperation.
Be able to evaluate the performance of steam power plants including reheat and feedheating.
Be able to evaluate the performance of combined cycles.
Understand the issues involved in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from fossil-fuelled power plants.

Content

Thermodynamics (8L)

Thermodynamic availability, lost work and entropy production, exergy analysis, application to power cycles.
Gibbs and Helmholtz functions, standard property changes in chemical reactions, overall and rational efficiencies, electrochemical conversion, fuel cells (theory and practice).
Equilibrium criteria, phase equilibrium, chemical potential, Clapeyron equation, equations of state, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals equation.
Gibbs equation, chemical equilibrium, chemical potential of ideal gas, equilibrium constant, gas phase reactions, van’t Hoff equation.

Power Generation (8L)

Overview of current and future electricity power generation, and the associated carbon emissions.
Gas turbines with intercooling, reheat and recuperation. Turbine blade cooling.
Steam cycles with feed heating and reheat. The combustion process and boiler efficiency.Steam cycles for nuclear power.
Combined gas-steam cycles.
Advanced cycles and carbon dioxide sequestration.

Coursework

Computer based cycle simulation

Learning objectives:

To consolidate the concept of exergy covered in lectures, and to apply this to the analysis of power-generating gas turbine cycles.
To study the methods by which the efficiency and specific work output of a simple gas turbine plant may be improved.
To investigate trends in cycle performance with various design parameters.

Practical information:

Sessions will take place in the DPO, during weeks 1-6.
This activity doesn't involve preliminary work.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references for this module.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

GT1

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

S3

Understanding of the requirement for engineering activities to promote sustainable development.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US2

A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.

US3

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

Last modified: 15/09/2017 12:45

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3A5: Thermodynamics & Power Generation, 2021-22

Module Leader

Lecturers

Prof R S Cant, Dr A J White

Lab Leader

Prof R S Cant

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas term. Thermodynamics 2 lectures/week, weeks 1-4 (Dr A J White); Power Generation: 2 lectures/week, weeks 5-8 (Prof R S Cant). 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Focus on electricity power generation and the underlying thermodynamic theory.
Introduce some concepts in thermo-mechanical energy storage to support intermittent generation technologies.
Cover topics including power generation by direct electrochemical conversion by fuel cells, gas turbines, steam and combined cycles.
Introduce some advanced cycle concepts and discuss the possibility of carbon dioxide capture and storage.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the principles of exergy analysis, be able to calculate the lost work terms of power cycle components.
Know the importance of the Helmholtz and Gibbs functions, the uses of standard property changes in chemical reactions, and the idea of rational efficiency..
Understand the principles of electrochemical energy conversion, be aware of different types of fuel cell technology, be able to calculate the Gibbs and Nernst potentials, and have a basic knowledge of fuel cell losses.
Understand the principles of phase equilibrium for single and multi-component systems, the role of the chemical potential, and the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
Understand equation of state theory including characteristic form, Maxwell’s relations, ideal gases, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals form, and law of corresponding states.
Understand chemical equilibrium theory and the use of the equilbrium constant, be able to perform calculations for gas mixtures with one or two independent reactions, and be able to apply van’t Hoff’s equation.
Appreciate the need for energy storage and apply exergetic analysis to some thermo-mechanical storage concepts.
Understand the rôle of steam and gas turbine cycles in electricity power generation and be conversant with likely future developments.
Be able to evaluate the performance of gas turbine plants including reheat, intercooling and recuperation.
Be able to evaluate the performance of steam power plants including reheat and feedheating.
Be able to evaluate the performance of combined cycles.
Understand the issues involved in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from fossil-fuelled power plants.

Content

Introduction, Thermodynamics and Energy Storage (9L)

Overview of current and future electricity power generation, and the associated carbon emissions.
Thermodynamic availability, lost work and entropy production, exergy analysis, application to power cycles.
Gibbs and Helmholtz functions, standard property changes in chemical reactions, overall and rational efficiencies, electrochemical conversion, fuel cells (theory and practice).
Equilibrium criteria, phase equilibrium, chemical potential, Clapeyron equation, equations of state, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals equation.
Gibbs equation, chemical equilibrium, chemical potential of ideal gas, equilibrium constant, gas phase reactions, van’t Hoff equation.
Role of energy storage, description and anaysis of some storage tehnologies.

Power Generation (7L)

Gas turbines with intercooling, reheat and recuperation. Turbine blade cooling.
Steam cycles with feed heating and reheat. The combustion process and boiler efficiency. Steam cycles for nuclear power.
Combined gas-steam cycles.
Advanced cycles and carbon dioxide sequestration.

Examples papers

1B revision, exergetic analysis, chemical exergy and fuel cells
Gibbs and Helmholtz functions, phase and chemical equilibrium, equations of state, energy storage.
Gas turbine plant, turbine cooling, intercooling and recuperation.
Steam plant, reheat, feed heat, combined cycles.

Coursework

Computer based cycle simulation

Learning objectives:

To consolidate the concept of exergy covered in lectures, and to apply this to the analysis of power-generating gas turbine cycles.
To study the methods by which the efficiency and specific work output of a simple gas turbine plant may be improved.
To investigate trends in cycle performance with various design parameters.

Practical information:

Sessions will take place in the DPO, during weeks 1-6.
This activity doesn't involve preliminary work.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

GT1

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

S3

Understanding of the requirement for engineering activities to promote sustainable development.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US2

A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.

US3

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

Last modified: 13/09/2021 09:16

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3A5: Thermodynamics & Power Generation, 2018-19

Module Leader

Prof E Mastorakos

Lecturers

Prof E Mastorakos and Dr A J White

Lab Leader

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas term. Thermodynamics 2 lectures/week, weeks 1-4 (Dr A J White); Power Generation: 2 lectures/week, weeks 5-8 (Dr G Pullan). 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Focus on electricity power generation and the underlying thermodynamic theory.
Cover topics including power generation by gas, steam and combined cycles, and direct electrochemical conversion by fuel cells.
Introduce some advanced cycle concepts and discuss the possibility of carbon dioxide capture and storage.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the principles of exergy analysis, be able to calculate the lost work terms of power cycle components.
Know the importance of the Helmholtz and Gibbs functions, the uses of standard property changes in chemical reactions, and the idea of rational efficiency..
Understand the principles of electrochemical energy conversion, be aware of different types of fuel cell technology, be able to calculate the Gibbs and Nernst potentials, and have a basic knowledge of fuel cell losses.
Understand the principles of phase equilibrium, the role of the chemical potential, and the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
Understand equation of state theory including characteristic form, Maxwell’s relations, ideal gases, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals form, and law of corresponding states.
Understand chemical equilibrium theory and the use of the equilbrium constant, be able to perform calculations for gas mixtures with one or two independent reactions, and be able to apply van’t Hoff’s equation.
Understand the rôle of steam and gas turbine cycles in electricity power generation and be conversant with likely future developments.
Be able to evaluate the performance of gas turbine plants including reheat, intercooling and recuperation.
Be able to evaluate the performance of steam power plants including reheat and feedheating.
Be able to evaluate the performance of combined cycles.
Understand the issues involved in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from fossil-fuelled power plants.

Content

Thermodynamics (8L)

Thermodynamic availability, lost work and entropy production, exergy analysis, application to power cycles.
Gibbs and Helmholtz functions, standard property changes in chemical reactions, overall and rational efficiencies, electrochemical conversion, fuel cells (theory and practice).
Equilibrium criteria, phase equilibrium, chemical potential, Clapeyron equation, equations of state, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals equation.
Gibbs equation, chemical equilibrium, chemical potential of ideal gas, equilibrium constant, gas phase reactions, van’t Hoff equation.

Power Generation (8L)

Overview of current and future electricity power generation, and the associated carbon emissions.
Gas turbines with intercooling, reheat and recuperation. Turbine blade cooling.
Steam cycles with feed heating and reheat. The combustion process and boiler efficiency.Steam cycles for nuclear power.
Combined gas-steam cycles.
Advanced cycles and carbon dioxide sequestration.

Coursework

Computer based cycle simulation

Learning objectives:

To consolidate the concept of exergy covered in lectures, and to apply this to the analysis of power-generating gas turbine cycles.
To study the methods by which the efficiency and specific work output of a simple gas turbine plant may be improved.
To investigate trends in cycle performance with various design parameters.

Practical information:

Sessions will take place in the DPO, during weeks 1-6.
This activity doesn't involve preliminary work.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references for this module.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

GT1

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

S3

Understanding of the requirement for engineering activities to promote sustainable development.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US2

A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.

US3

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

Last modified: 15/05/2018 14:12

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3A5: Thermodynamics & Power Generation, 2020-21

Module Leader

Lecturers

Prof R S Cant, Dr A J White

Lab Leader

Prof R S Cant

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas term. Thermodynamics 2 lectures/week, weeks 1-4 (Dr A J White); Power Generation: 2 lectures/week, weeks 5-8 (Prof R S Cant). 16 lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

Focus on electricity power generation and the underlying thermodynamic theory.
Cover topics including power generation by gas, steam and combined cycles, and direct electrochemical conversion by fuel cells.
Introduce some advanced cycle concepts and discuss the possibility of carbon dioxide capture and storage.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the principles of exergy analysis, be able to calculate the lost work terms of power cycle components.
Know the importance of the Helmholtz and Gibbs functions, the uses of standard property changes in chemical reactions, and the idea of rational efficiency..
Understand the principles of electrochemical energy conversion, be aware of different types of fuel cell technology, be able to calculate the Gibbs and Nernst potentials, and have a basic knowledge of fuel cell losses.
Understand the principles of phase equilibrium for single and multi-component systems, the role of the chemical potential, and the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
Be able to undertake phase equilibrium analysis for ideal mixtures (Raoult's Law).
Understand equation of state theory including characteristic form, Maxwell’s relations, ideal gases, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals form, and law of corresponding states.
Understand chemical equilibrium theory and the use of the equilbrium constant, be able to perform calculations for gas mixtures with one or two independent reactions, and be able to apply van’t Hoff’s equation.
Understand the rôle of steam and gas turbine cycles in electricity power generation and be conversant with likely future developments.
Be able to evaluate the performance of gas turbine plants including reheat, intercooling and recuperation.
Be able to evaluate the performance of steam power plants including reheat and feedheating.
Be able to evaluate the performance of combined cycles.
Understand the issues involved in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from fossil-fuelled power plants.

Content

Thermodynamics (8L)

Thermodynamic availability, lost work and entropy production, exergy analysis, application to power cycles.
Gibbs and Helmholtz functions, standard property changes in chemical reactions, overall and rational efficiencies, electrochemical conversion, fuel cells (theory and practice).
Equilibrium criteria, phase equilibrium, chemical potential, Clapeyron equation, equations of state, ideal gas mixtures, imperfect gases, van der Waals equation.
Gibbs equation, chemical equilibrium, chemical potential of ideal gas, equilibrium constant, gas phase reactions, van’t Hoff equation.

Power Generation (8L)

Overview of current and future electricity power generation, and the associated carbon emissions.
Gas turbines with intercooling, reheat and recuperation. Turbine blade cooling.
Steam cycles with feed heating and reheat. The combustion process and boiler efficiency.Steam cycles for nuclear power.
Combined gas-steam cycles.
Advanced cycles and carbon dioxide sequestration.

Coursework

Computer based cycle simulation

Learning objectives:

To consolidate the concept of exergy covered in lectures, and to apply this to the analysis of power-generating gas turbine cycles.
To study the methods by which the efficiency and specific work output of a simple gas turbine plant may be improved.
To investigate trends in cycle performance with various design parameters.

Practical information:

Sessions will take place in the DPO, during weeks 1-6.
This activity doesn't involve preliminary work.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard: