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Syllabus contents:
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Energy & Environment Autumn 2001 ME 341, PHYS 341, CHEM E 341, ENVIR 341 |
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Syllabus | |
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Meeting Times M W F 12:30 1:20 Mechanical Engineering Building (MEB), Room 248 Instructor Phil Malte - Professor Mechanical Engineering Department Office: Mechanical Engineering Building (MEB) 318 e-mail: malte@u.washington.edu Phone: 206-543-5486
Office Hours M W F 8:00 9:00 AM M W 2:00 3:00 PM and by appointment
Teaching Assistant
Stephen Buffington - Graduate Student Evan's School of Public Affairs / College of Forest Resources Office: Mary Gates 258 (Office Hours only) e-mail: sbuffing@u.washington.edu Phone: Sorry, I am a nomad
Office Hours M W 11:30 -12:20 AM Th 1:30 - 2:30 PM and by appointment
Course Description Energy consumption, US and world. Fossil energy: energy conversion systems; oil, gas and coal resources; air pollution and environmental impacts. Nuclear energy use, principles, fission reactors, fuel cycle. Offered: jointly with ENVIR 341, CHEM E 341, and PHYS 341; A. Class Description This course offers the student an introduction to energy and the environmental consequences of energy. The course is divided into five topics. In the first one, we look at how energy is used, how energy use is changing, and how the different regions of the world compare in their energy use. We discuss the oil crises of the 1970s and the west coast electricity crisis of 2000-01. Throughout the course we try to follow the current news on energy. In the next topic, we look at our energy resources, how we extract and harvest these resources, and what the future may hold with respect to our resources. In the third topic, we learn about the conversion of our energy resources to the forms of energy we desire, including electricity, heat for our homes and offices, and motive power. In this topic, we learn about the laws of thermodynamics, and how they guide our energy conversion technology and its efficiency. With this knowledge gained, we are able to study and appreciate the major energy conversion devices, including the automobile engine, the jet engine, and electricity generating power plants. We learn the most efficient energy conversion devices in everyday use now are the combined cycle combustion turbine power plants for generating electricity. The newest ones are almost 60% efficient. For comparison, the average automobile engine is only about 15% efficient. The fuel is wasted as heat. We also look at the fuel cell, since much is anticipated from this as an important energy conversion device of the future. In topic four, we carefully examine the environmental consequences of energy use, including air pollution, global climate change, and the impacts to the land and water. We look at how our use of some of our energy resources may become constrained by the need to control global climate change. The fifth and concluding topic is nuclear energy. We learn the principles of nuclear energy and how it is harnessed in todays nuclear fission power plants. We learn about the nuclear fuel cycle and the tough issues facing humankind regarding the future of nuclear energy for generating electricity. We conclude by taking a look at the promise and challenge of energy from nuclear fusion. Since fossil fuels natural gas, oil, and coal account for 75 to 85% of the energy currently used by humankind, and since nuclear energy accounts for about 20% of the electricity generated in the world, the course focuses on these energy resources, their use, and their conversion. Renewable energy solar, wind, waves, tides, biomass, and geothermal is discussed for perspective and breadth. However, the details on harvesting and using renewable energy are reserved for the second energy course: Energy and Environment II (ME/CHEM E/PHYS/ENVIR 342) in WQ. The student is welcome to take either Energy and Environment I or II or both courses. The method of instruction is fairly typical. One-hour lectures are offered three days a week, with discussion included. Weekly homework assignments are given, and 15-minute quizzes are given in class about once every two weeks (see below). The instructor and teaching assistant hold office hours several times a week to permit students to seek individual help and to discuss energy/environment issues in additional depth or breadth. Recommended preparation Although this course does not require prerequisites, it is recommended for students enrolling in the course to have background in college-level science and mathematics. Courses in 100-level chemistry or physics, and 100-level mathematics (or 200-level quantitative science), SUMMING TO A TOTAL OF AT LEAST THREE (3) COURSES, are strongly encouraged as background for ME/CHEM E/PHYS/ENVIR 341. Examples of courses meeting the background need are CHEM 120, or 142, 152; PHYS 121, 122, or 114, 115; and MATH 124, or QSCI 291 and 292. Students should obtain the two textbooks required for the course: 1. Hinrichs, R.A. and Kleinbach, M., "Energy, Its Use and the Environment", 3rd Edition, Harcourt College Publishers. The UW Bookstore has been requested to obtain this text. It will probably be placed under ME 341 on the Bookstore shelves. 2. Bodansky, D., "Course Notes for ME/CHEM E/PHYS/ENVIR 341, Autumn Quarter 2001". This text is available from the Copy Center in the basement of the Communications Building. Grading Policy Homework assignments are given on a weekly basis, for a total of about ten assignments over the quarter. Typically, the assignments are made on Friday, and are due the following Friday. About 60% of the assignments involve the analysis of energy data or the calculation of energy system performance and pollutant impacts. The other 40% of the assignments involve discussion of energy trends, environmental impacts and control, and energy policy. The last assignment of the quarter will involve the development of a policy on natural gas use for electricity generation in the State of Washington. Your final grade will be based on the following requirements and percentages: 1. Approximately ten homework assignments, about one per week, which will count for 35% of your course grade. Homework assignments must be submitted by the start of class on the day due. 2. Fifteen-minute quizzes will be given about once every two weeks. About five quizzes will be given, with your lowest score removed. The remaining quizzes will count for 30% of your course grade. The quizzes will be closed-book, closed-notes. There will be no make up quizzes. 3. A two-hour final exam will be given at the final exam time for the course as published by the University. The final exam will only be offered at this time. The final exam will count for 35% of your course grade. The final exam will be closed-book, closed notes, though each student may bring a crib sheet to the final exam and refer to this during the exam. Required Readings
Primary Energy - Its Use and the Environment, 3rd ed.Hinrichs and Kleinbach At University Bookstore
Supplemental Course Notes, M E 341 David Bodansky At Communications Copy Ctr. Other Items
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Contact the Teaching Assistant at: sbuffing@u.washington.edu
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