In this module, you’ll study thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and sustainability. Theoretical understanding is supported and applied with practical experiments conducted individually and in pairs (using expansion of a perfect gas equipment and wind tunnels) in our OpenSTEM Labs. During your study, you’ll learn industrially relevant skills of heat transfer analysis using ANSYS, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software package. As part of a group project, you’ll apply the knowledge gained to design the heating and cooling of a low-carbon building.
What you will study
T229 has been designed in three parts. Each part is presented as a printed book with associated online activities. Part 1 focuses on thermodynamics, Part 2 covers fluid mechanics, and Part 3 concerns heating, cooling, and sustainability.
Part 1: Thermodynamics
You’ll consider different energy forms and how they transform from one to another. You’ll then discover the limits to these transformations and the directionality of these processes before learning how heat energy can be harnessed to do mechanical work using a heat engine. This understanding will be applied to steam turbines for power generation and jet engines for transport. The reverse process, the heat pump, is introduced as the basis of the refrigeration cycle. Its usefulness in both geothermal power and food preservation is explained.
Part 2: Fluid mechanics
This part looks at the behaviour of liquids and gases moving in a wide range of situations, from domestic plumbing to hurricanes and from jet engines to hydraulic braking systems such as those found in various forms of transport. You will learn how physical and mathematical models help engineers to understand the behaviour of fluids and to solve real-world problems.
Part 3: Heating, cooling and sustainability
You’ll apply your knowledge to design the heating and cooling of ‘low carbon’ buildings and learn about heat transfer mechanisms within buildings – including radiators, insulation and heat exchange mechanisms. You’ll consider the role of engineers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the context of global climate policies. You will be taught how to apply a simple Life Cycle Assessment to buildings. Part 3 also introduces the theory behind effective teamwork and applies this to a group project to design a low-energy and low-carbon building.
Throughout the module, there will be opportunities to complement and enhance theoretical knowledge by carrying out several relevant experiments. In Parts 1 and 2, you’ll remotely access our OpenEngineering Laboratory to conduct experiments and acquire real-time data. In Part 3, you’ll gain heat transfer analysis skills by exploring the industry-standard finite element analysis (FEA) software package, ANSYS. If you have concerns about working in a group, talk these through with your tutor as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements to study this module.
However, we recommend that you’ve passed one of the following modules:
The module assumes a level of mathematics skill and prior knowledge that you’ll get from successfully completing one of the modules above. It assumes and builds on existing knowledge and skill in trigonometry, differential and integral calculus, vectors, polar coordinate systems, and complex numbers.
Preparatory work
Core engineering A (T271) and Core engineering B (T272) are ideal preparation. We highly recommend that you’ve at least studied T271 before studying T229.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
3 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
End-of-module assessment
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
Additionally, the website includes:
a module map.
We also provide physical:
module books
module handbook
OEL instruction booklets.
You will need
a scientific calculator
a device to take digital images of your work (e.g. a phone/digital camera or scanner).
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM. A 22" or larger monitor is recommended. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 only. Any macOS is unsuitable.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection. You’ll need control over your internet connection settings – corporate firewalls may prevent FEA software from accessing the licensed served hosted by the Open University.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Minimum and recommended requirements for The Open University Ansys software:
i3 processor or equivalent (i5 equivalent or above recommended).
512 MB graphics card (1 GB or higher recommended).
A version of Ansys for Linux OS is also available. The Linux version may require more than 4 GB of RAM.
25 GB hard drive (50 GB or larger strongly recommended).
Physical ‘C:/’ drive present.
You’ll need administrator privileges on your machine.
OpenGL-capable.
See System and browser requirements for Ansys software for further information on Ansys Student Version.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying T229 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Mechanical engineering: heat and flow (T229) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2030.