Free Thermodynamics Textbook by Olivier Cleynen

This textbook offers a clear, progressive introduction to thermodynamics, tailored for university students and future engineers eager to understand the physical principles behind engines and refrigeration systems. It begins from the basics and progressively covers all the important concepts: 1 Fundamental Concepts Review the essential concepts for the study of thermodynamics Concept of energy; First law; Mech. energy; Work; Heat; Temperature. 2 Closed Systems Quantify energy transfers in a fixed quantity of fluid Quantification of work and heat in a closed system; Concept of irreversibility. 3 Open Systems Quantify energy transfers in a continuously-flowing fluid Usefulness of open and closed systems; Quantification of work and heat. 4 The Ideal Gas Predict air temperature and quantify its forms of energy Advantages and limits of the ideal gas model; Basic elementary processes. 5 Liquids and Vapors Predict water temperature and quantify its forms of energy Phase changes, property calculations using charts; Basic elementary processes. 6 Thermodynamic Cycles Convert heat into work and vice versa: engines and refrigerators Thermal machines: efficiency of engines, refrigerators, AC, and heat pumps. 7 The Second Law Quantify the fundamental limits of thermal machines Maximum efficiency of machines (Carnot cycle); Absolute temperature scale. 8 Entropy Quantify irreversibility and predict the direction of processes Irreversibilities in heat and work transfers; Usefulness of entropy for engineers. 9 Steam Power Cycles Quantify the performance of steam-powered plants Carnot and Rankine cycles, with superheating, reheat, and regeneration. 10 Air-Based Power Cycles Quantify the performance of gasoline & Diesel engines, and turbomachines Otto and Diesel cycles; Turbojet, turboprop, etc., and their modifications. A Appendices Useful working documents, including Steam Tables from freesteamtables.com. Steam Tables; Converting to SI units; Bibliography; List of symbols; Index.

With 59 fully-commented, step-by-step calculation examples and 96 problems with solutions, this book equips you to tackle engineering challenges with confidence. Alongside the core, it features short historical explorations which connect the big ideas to their origins and their technological impact.