Energetics of Environment

Recommended Prerequisites

Thermodynamics, Applied Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer.

Teaching Methods

The lectures have a traditional format, which is essentially driven by the exposure of the subjects with the support of Powerpoint presentations and other multimedia means including films.

The practical classes are devoted to the analysis and solving of practical problems for application of the theoretical knowledge.

Learning Outcomes

It is aimed to develop in the student capabilities with practical application in the field of energy and environment on the basis of fundamental concepts developed during the 1st cycle in several CUs, widening the potential for application. The topics of solar energy, the problems of air pollution in industrial and urban environments and the sustainability of development are considered.

This UC is concerned with the atmospheric influence and the interactions of solar radiation and wind phenomena with the built environment, which includes sun shading and wind shelter. This course provides skills to deal with areas apparently as distant as the rational use of energy in buildings, environmental comfort and the aerothermal approach to urban planning and the evaluation of air quality in cities or industry.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Energy and environment. Renewable energy and energetic resources (biomass, wind, hydro, solar ...). Sun-Earth astronomical relationships; characterization of solar radiation, meteorological data, measuring devices; fraction of insolation; calculation of the solar radiation incident on horizontal and inclined surfaces (albedo of the soil; components direct, diffuse and reflected). Applications: solar thermal collectors and passive solar design.

General considerations about the Earth and the geofluids: energy balance and the general equations of motion, stability of the atmosphere, adiabatic gradient, atmospheric dispersion of pollutants; vertical and bent over plumes, effective height, trajectory, Gaussian model, ground concentrations, influence of the location of the source; interaction with buildings, air quality: legislative requirements, mathematical simulation models.

Head Lecturer(s)

Gonçalo Jorge Vieira Nunes Brites

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Methods of assessment: 2 midterm exams; final exam.: 100.0%

Bibliography

Iqbal.M., An Introduction to Solar Radiation, Academic Press, 1983

S. Eskinazi, Fluid Mechanics and Termodynamics of our Environment, Academic Press, 1975.

E. Plate, Engineering Meteorology, Elsevier, 1982.

K. Wark e C.F. Warner, Air Pollution, Its Origin and Control, Harper Collins, 1981.

D.A. Quintela, Apontamentos sobre Energética do Meio Ambiente, 1990