Are you a teacher interested in Thermoptim? If you are exploring this portal for the first time, you will discover numerous resources related to thermodynamics applied to energy-powered systems.

For over two decades, we have pioneered an innovative and highly streamlined learning approach. This novel method is grounded in a fresh and radical understanding of the subject matter and incorporates three cutting-edge educational techniques. The first, specific to the field of study, is our Thermoptim simulator.

The other two are much more generic, on the one hand the guided explorations of energy system models carried out with Thermoptim, and finally the Diapason sound-based distance learning modules.

The Thermoptim simulator simplifies the modeling of energy systems significantly, while guided explorations facilitate practical learning. The Diapason modules grant convenient access to the teacher's verbal explanations, covering both theoretical and technological aspects, along with the practical application of the simulator, available at any time.

This method has garnered significant success among students, which explains its adoption in over a hundred educational institutions.

We recommend you should begin to read the portal basic functionalities presentation. Then you should discover Thermoptim and the Diapason modules, the pedagogy we recommend, and finally the available resources and our private web pages strictly dedicated to teachers:

• Thermoptim presentation

• Diapason modules presentation

• Pedagogy in Thermodynamics using Thermoptim

• Available resources

• Web pages dedicated to teachers

Thermoptim is a software designed to facilitate students' understanding of thermodynamics effortlessly. In tandem with or even before the theoretical foundations are presented, students can engage in practical exercises involving real-world applications, such as the analysis of a refrigerator or a power plant. Recognizing the students' limited knowledge, the training is structured to be as straightforward as possible. Realistic results are crucial to maintaining motivation as students navigate the learning process.

With its thermodynamic function libraries, Thermoptim enables graphical modeling of both simple and complex energy technologies without the need to write a single equation. It provides highly accurate results that can be visually represented in various formats. Notably, Thermoptim allows users to overcome the restrictive assumption of the perfect gas, offering the flexibility to utilize real fluid models.

A dedicated Diapason session allows you to learn about the main features of the tool in 20 minutes.

If you prefer to work with a written document , similar exercises are available in Thermoptim documentation. Written in English, they are called getting started guides:

• modelling of a combustion gas turbine

• modelling of a steam power plant 

• modelling of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle

• modelling of air conditioning cycles

Guided explorations of existing models of the basic energy cycles are proposed in a special browser capable of emulating Thermoptim. They have the advantage that they can be used both with the demonstration version of the software package and with another. As learners do not have to build the models themselves, some small difficulties are avoided.

About thirty guided explorations have been prepared, with a small description for each, and it is very easy to design others if you feel the need.

The following mind maps have been designed to help you find the relevant sections of the book Energy Systems: A New Approach to Engineering Thermodynamics and pages of the portal:

• Gas turbines

• Hirn / Rankine cycles

• Vapor compression refrigeration cycles

Moreover, please note that Thermoptim is available in seven languages. This may be useful if you have students who wish to work in a different language than the french one.

back

The Diapason modules are educational animated slide shows, each provided with a soundtrack. This is Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applied to education. Using this ICT application, you may realize presentation for theories, or methodologies or technologies.

Their specificity is the association of one soundtrack to the displayed window. Thus, students may get audio explanations relative to the study context ; these explanations may be about theory, or technology or even the practical use of the Thermoptim simulator. A more detailed presentation of these modules is available.

The primary advantage of the Diapason modules lies in their outstanding teaching effectiveness:

• When utilizing these modules, students are more actively engaged than in a traditional classroom setting. They have the autonomy to regulate their pace of learning, choosing when to study and making themselves available during those times. This autonomy contributes to a more effective learning experience, especially as they have the flexibility to review or supplement information using written documents.

• With soundtracks averaging less than one minute, students can maintain constant focus during each step, progressing to the next one after a brief rest period.

• They can work at their own pace, either independently or in groups, and have continuous access to the teacher's oral explanations. In case of doubts or if they missed information, they can easily refer back to the explanations.

Teaching thermodynamics in the traditional manner involves a highly axiomatic presentation, often leading to caricatured assumptions. In contrast, our approach prioritizes a qualitative understanding of the phenomena. The essential calculations required for numerical studies are carried out transparently using software tools, sparing learners from delving into every detail of the calculations initially.

At the outset of the training, the utilization of equations is minimized. Consequently, the cognitive effort primarily focuses on comprehending concepts, technologies, and their practical applications. We believe that describing phenomena based on equations becomes meaningful and feasible only when the student has acquired a sufficient mastery of the relevant knowledge.

This method has been used to various degrees in a hundred of high educational establishments. This method is a great success before students and it has shown that the advancement can be split up into three main steps:

This method has been implemented to varying extents in more than a hundred higher education institutions. It has been remarkably successful among students, demonstrating that progress can be divided into three main stages:

1. Acquisition of Concepts and Tools (Approximately 12 hours)

   - Reviewing the fundamentals of thermodynamics

   - Exploring basic cycles

   - Familiarizing with relevant technologies

   - Learning the Thermoptim software

2. Reinforcement of Learned Concepts (Approximately 8 hours)

   - Strengthening the understanding of concepts from the first step

   - Incorporating theoretical insights on exergy and heat exchangers

   - Examining variations related to basic cycles, combined cycles, and co-generation

3. In-Depth Analysis and Practical Application (Duration varies based on selected activities):

   - Engaging in an in-depth analysis

   - Applying acquired knowledge in personal and practical scenarios

   - Studying innovative and advanced cycles, more complex than previous ones

   - Encouraging contemplation on technological advancements, especially through mini-projects managed individually or within groups.

A web page on this novel educational method shows how it is implemented. This presentation expands on the following points in turn:

• Setting the stage for engineers' training

• Identifying challenges in the teaching of thermodynamics

• Highlighting the benefits of utilizing simulator software

• Strategies for addressing challenges in teaching technology

• Emphasizing the pedagogical value of Diapason modules

• Outlining a structured three-step training approach

• Emphasizing the importance of closely monitoring students' progress.

In addition, this presentation will give you some references about pedagogy which may be of some interest for you.

back

The available pedagogic resources are pertinent to six main distinct classes:

• The synthetic and thematic pages

• The whole set of Diapason sessions

• The guided explorations

• The papers (papers, documentation & books)

• The guidance files related to practical work

• The models for external substances and components. Using these models the Thermoptim core may be extended

• Some notes relative to the pedagogy of applied thermodynamics.

These resources can be combined to form complete courses or simply parts of course, according to the teaching goals pursued by the teachers and the students.

We prepared to your attention a series of self-training thematic modules , which define thematic trails browsing through the available resources. They implement a progression from the bases to personal activities, some of which can be relatively complex.

As a teacher, you may access web pages quite especially dedicated to you.

Please note that there are two versions of the practical work guidance files.

The first is the comprehensive version, including model answers strictly designated for identified teachers.

The alternative version, without these model answers, is freely accessible.

If you desire access to the complete set of model answers, kindly complete the identification form below.

We will subsequently reach out to verify your identity and occupation. Upon verification, we will provide you with a login and password. Please note that this access is not granted to students to prevent them from obtaining model answers to the problems assigned by their teachers. Additionally, this access does not obligate you to contribute to our work. It is strongly advised that you refrain from sharing the identification codes provided by our server with anyone.

Besides, we have been cooperating closely with two groups of teachers which were interested in our developments :

• The UNIT-Thermoptim community , which is directly associated to the definition of the present portal. The UNIT-Thermoptim community is composed of representatives of UNIT partners

• The ALET Club whose field of interest is wider because this centre is relative to all the software tools, which can be used in the teaching of thermodynamics.

Both groups have some web pages inside this portal, strictly reserved to them.