Teaching Rankine Cycle by Using an Intelligent Computer-Aided Instruction Software

Abstract

The Rankine cycle plays a very important role in vapour power plants. It is an integral part in teaching courses of engineering thermodynamics. The cycle analysis is long and tedious. It is very necessary to obtain the cycle performance including pump work, heat added, turbine work, heat removed, and efficiency quickly and accurately in the classroom. This paper describes the use of an ICAI (Intelligent Computer Aided Instruction) software in teaching thermodynamics at the US Naval Academy. Historical evolution and several different arranged Rankine cycles can be demonstrated quickly in the classroom. Objectives for improvements, constraints, and consequently design, which cannot be easily accomplished from the conventional teaching, are emphasized. ICAI evokes the intellectual curiosity of students and increases their interest and design ability in thermodynamics.