Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Sustainable Thermal Systems

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MIET2406

City Campus

Postgraduate

115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016

MIET2406

City Campus

Postgraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Sara Vahaji

Course Coordinator Phone: .

Course Coordinator Email: sara.vahaji2@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 57.03.12B

Course Coordinator Availability: By Appoinrment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course will provide you with state-of-the-art information on a wide range of sustainable systems that utilise thermal energy with detailed design information on a number of these. This includes solar energy utilisation and management for water and space heating and cooling systems, thermal management of buildings, geothermal, solar ponds, waste heat recovery, co-generation, and tri-generation systems.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the following program learning outcomes:

1. Needs, Context and Systems

  • Describe, investigate and analyse complex engineering systems and associated issues (using systems thinking and modelling techniques)
  • Exposit legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental interests, values, requirements and expectations of key stakeholders

2. Problem Solving and Design

  • Develop creative and innovative solutions to engineering problems

3. Analysis

  • Comprehend and apply advanced theory-based understanding of engineering fundamentals and specialist bodies of knowledge in the selected discipline area to predict the effect of engineering activities

4. Professional Practice

  • Develop a personal sense of responsibility

5. Research

  • Be aware of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Investigate and analyse sustainable thermal systems and technologies.
  2. Model sustainable thermal systems
  3. Generate a range of innovative solutions to sustainably deploy and utilise thermal systems
  4. Design appropriate thermal technologies and system sizing in a range of contexts.
  5. Provide advice on sustainable thermal systems designs, proposals and/or R&D activities.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be studying in internal mode which entails taking part in a series of pre-recorded lectures, tutorials, and workshops. The principal learning activities will be:

  • Engaging with pre-recorded lectures on principles and practical aspects of sustainable thermal technologies
  • Solving typical problems and applying specialist analytical tools in tutorials.
  • Assignments set in the class
  • Participating in class discussions on relative merits of various alternative technologies in comparison with thermal technologies
  • Attending site visits and demonstrations of working sustainable thermal systems and installations


Overview of Learning Resources

Guidance on resource material will be available on Canvas.

These resources include prescribed text books, journal papers and internet resources, as well as lecture notes and other material provided through Canvas and available through the RMIT website/library.


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessments

Assessment Task 1: Numerical and short answer assignments 
Weighting: 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, and 5

Assessment Task 2: Experiment and Write-up
Weighting: 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 and 2

Assessment Task 3: Building and system simulation
Weighting: 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 4, and 5

Assessment Task 4: Timed and timetabled assessment
Weighting: 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, and 4

This assessment is a timed and timetabled assessment that students must attend on campus except for international students who are outside Australia.