MATLAB applications for teaching applied thermodynamics: thermodynamic cycles

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to describe the teaching experience in an applied thermodynamics course, using MATLAB applications developed with MATLAB® App Designer. This course is compulsory for students in their sophomore year of the BSc in Chemical Engineering. MATLAB applications are developed to serve as tools for the teaching of thermodynamic cycles: steam and gas power, and vapor-compression refrigeration cycles. The computer applications are case-based problem generators, that is, based on chosen groups of initial variables, which values are randomly selected each time the MATLAB applications are run. Solutions of the cycle problems, which include thermodynamic cycles plotted in p–h, T–s, and p–v diagrams, and thermodynamic properties of each state of the cycle, are shown when students want to check their calculations. Moreover, the applications allow exporting initial data and solutions to an MS Excel file. The usability and learning experience of the applications were evaluated through anonymous surveys to students and the feedback of the academic staff involved in the course. The main problem, that the students referred, to was the utilization of the MATLAB applications that they considered it was not straightforward. The students believed that the utilization of these computer applications represented a significant improvement in teaching (70%) and expressed their interest in having similar materials in other degree courses (75%). After implementing the computer applications, the academic results showed an increase of ca. 16% in the pass rate.