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Development and integration of an equation‐solving program for engineering thermodynamics courses
Author(s) -
Klein S. A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
computer applications in engineering education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.478
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 1099-0542
pISSN - 1061-3773
DOI - 10.1002/cae.6180010310
Subject(s) - computer science , solver , refrigerant , psychrometrics , table (database) , mathematics , thermodynamics , programming language , physics , humidity , data mining , gas compressor
Thermodynamics problems can be separated into conceptual and mathematical parts. The conceptual part consists of the problem formulation and analysis. The mathematical part seeks to obtain an answer to a problem by solving the equations identified in the analysis. The mathematical part can be complex and time‐consuming and often directs the students' focus away from the concepts. An equation solving program called Engineering Equation Solver (EES) was developed to reduce the time and effort required by students to solve the mathematical part of thermodynamics problems. EES differs from existing equation solving programs in that it is designed for use by students and it includes an extensive library of built‐in functions for thermodynamic and transport properties of fluids. Thermodynamic and transport property data needed for solving engineering problems (eg, steam tables, refrigerant properties, psychrometric and combustion gas data) are built into the program. By eliminating table lookups and algebra, EES allows students to concentrate on engineering fundamentals, as well as to do more complex design problems.