Thermal Engineering Lab

Overview

The Thermal Engineering Lab supports two levels of study. At the first level, learners use sectioned petrol and diesel engines to draw valve-timing diagrams, measure the dryness fraction of steam and carry out exergy analysis on running engines. At the second level, they run load tests on engine test rigs and build complete heat-balance sheets.

Refrigeration test rigs extend the work to the vapour-compression cycle, so the same lab covers power cycles, steam systems and refrigeration with real measurements rather than textbook values. ASFAN designs, supplies, installs and commissions the complete Thermal Engineering Lab, with operating manuals, experiment sheets and instructor training.

Key Equipment

• Sectioned petrol and diesel engines – for tracing valve and port timing and drawing valve-timing diagrams
• Separating and throttling calorimeter – measures the dryness fraction of a steam sample
• Diesel engine test rig with exhaust-gas calorimeter – exergy analysis, load test and heat balance
• Petrol engine test rig with exhaust-gas calorimeter – exergy analysis, load test and heat balance
• Water-tube boiler model – explains the layout and circulation of a water-tube boiler
• Ice-candy and refrigeration test rigs – COP measurement on a vapour-compression system
• Sectioned reciprocating and rotary compressors – show the internal construction of different compressor types
• Boiler accessories trainer with working steam engine – demonstrates boiler mountings and accessories in operation

Learning Objectives

By the end of the training, learners will be able to:

• Draw the valve-timing diagram of an internal combustion engine.
• Build thermodynamic models of gas power cycles.
• Analyse the Rankine cycle and its modifications.
• Evaluate exergy destruction in thermal components such as heat exchangers.
• Run engine load tests and prepare a heat-balance sheet.

Career Relevance

The lab prepares learners for work in power generation, automotive engineering, energy auditing and thermal-system design.