PG-Dip in Power Plant Engineering• Context • Course offering •
Course examples • Joining the programme
Context Why consider this programme?
Power Plant Engineer’s Role
• Determine system performance.
• Technology selection based on environmental, technical and
economic considerations.
• Understanding component operating envelope.
Career Development
• Apply fundamental principles to understand the behaviour of
systems, components and materials.
• Gain in-depth understanding into the systems and components which
make up a power plant.
• Systematically organise a project to ensure quality workmanship
and cost effective solutions.
• Learn to work in a team and become a leader in your field.
• Develop skills in a sub specialisation related to the power plant
industry.
Programme Overview
The PG-Dip in Power Plant Engineering is aimed at engineers,
scientists and technologists employed by or interested in the power
industry.
Courses have been selected and developed in close corporation with
industry experts and researchers working in the power
industry.
Courses are offered in block format to allow part time students to
attend.
Students will be required to complete five core modules and select
three elective modules from UCT and other partner
institutions.
As the programme is being delivered specifically for part time
students, students will be limited to taking two courses per
semester. Therefore the programme will take two years to
complete.
Course offering What courses are given?
Core Courses
• To establish a balanced understanding of the local and global
power generation industry.
Overview of the Power Plant Industry
• To lay the theoretical foundations of thermofluid process
modelling applied to power plants, based on the fundamentals of
thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer.
Power Plant Systems Analysis
• To enable students to structure a high level system design and to
generate system and subsystem development specifications.
Systems Engineering in the Power Industry
• To provide an understanding of the relationship between the
structure of materials and responses to applied stress for
materials selection in design and failure analysis.
Mechanical Behaviour of Materials
• To develop the abilities required to influence a group of people
towards a goal, to maximize their performance and to cultivating a
personal leadership philosophy.
Leadership in a Technical Environment
Elective Modules - UCT
• To introduce the technology of boilers, superheaters, reheaters,
economizers, air heaters and combustion systems, and to lay the
theoretical foundations for its performance analysis.
Power Plant Boilers: Thermofluid Processes
and Controls
• To provide theoretical and practical foundations for modelling
and analysing performance of power plant equipment associated with
the steam turbine, including condensers and feed heaters.
Turbine Plant Engineering
Elective Modules – Other institutions
Examples of courses offered at other South African Universities
which can be included in this programme as electives:
Stellenbosch University: Renewable Energy Systems Introduction to
Solar Energy Bio Energy
University of Pretoria Reliability Engineering Condition Based
Maintenance Advanced Finite Element Methods
Curriculum Planning Course Name 2021 2022
Overview of the Power Plant Industry MEC4115z Semester 1
Power Plant Systems Analysis MEC4116z Semester 1
Systems Engineering MEC4118z Semester 2
Mechanical Behaviour of Materials MEC4119z Semester 2
Leadership in a Technical Environment MEC4120z Semester 1
Turbine Plant Engineering MEC4122z Semester 2
Power Plant Boilers: Thermofluid Processes and Controls
MEC4117z
Semester 2
Bio Energy 744 Semester 2
Energy Storage Systems 774 Semester 2
Reliability Engineering MIR 781 Semester 1
Condition Based Maintenance MIC 780 Semester 1
Advanced Finite Element Methods MEE 781 Semester 1
University of Cape Town
University of Pretoria
Course examples What are the teaching methods used in the courses
?
Overview of the Power Plant Industry Prof. Louis Jestin Prof.
Stuart Piketh Priyesh Gosai
Overview of the Power Plant Industry
The global energy industry, regional energy planning, sources of
energy and local context.
Technical benefits of various generation, transmission and
distribution technologies.
Give an in-depth understanding of the impact of the energy sector
on the environment and the legislation put in place to manage
it.
Evaluate the cost of establishing a generation, transmission and
distribution network and the relevant operational modes.
Model, analyse and evaluate the power system. Develop and optimise
energy mix scenarios. Evaluate opportunities for localisation and
determine
the user cost of electricity.
Overview of the Power Plant Industry
Thu 1 Thu 1 Sun 1 Tue 1 Fri 1 Fri 2 Fri 2 Mon 2 Wed 2 Sat 2 Sat 3
Sat 3 Tue 3 Thu 3 Sun 3 Sun 4 Sun 4 Wed 4 Fri 4 Mon 4 Mon 5 Mon 5
Thu 5 Sat 5 Tue 5 Tue 6 Tue 6 Fri 6 Sun 6 Wed 6 Wed 7 Wed 7 Sat 7
Mon 7 Thu 7 Thu 8 Thu 8 Sun 8 Assignment 2 Tue 8 Fri 8 Fri 9 Fri 9
Mon 9 Wed 9 Sat 9 Sat 10 Sat 10 Tue 10 Thu 10 Sun 10 Sun 11 Sun 11
Wed 11 Fri 11 Mon 11 Mon 12 Mon 12 Thu 12 Sat 12 Tue 12 Tue 13 Tue
13 Fri 13 Sun 13 Assignment 4 Wed 13 Wed 14 Wed 14 Sat 14 Mon 14
Thu 14 Thu 15 Thu 15 Sun 15 Tue 15 Fri 15 Fri 16 Fri 16 Mon 16 Wed
16 Sat 16 Sat 17 Sat 17 Tue 17 Thu 17 Sun 17 Sun 18 Sun 18
Assignment 1 Wed 18 Fri 18 Mon 18 Mon 19 Mon 19 Web session Thu 19
Sat 19 Tue 19 Tue 20 Tue 20 Fri 20 Sun 20 Wed 20 Wed 21 Wed 21 Sat
21 Mon 21 Examination Thu 21 Thu 22 Thu 22 Sun 22 Tue 22 Fri 22 Fri
23 Fri 23 Mon 23 Wed 23 Sat 23 Sat 24 Sat 24 Tue 24 Thu 24 Sun 24
Sun 25 Sun 25 Wed 25 Fri 25 Mon 25 Mon 26 Kickoff Mon 26 Thu 26 Sat
26 Tue 26 Tue 27 Tue 27 Fri 27 Sun 27 Wed 27 Wed 28 Wed 28 Sat 28
Mon 28 Thu 28
Thu 29 Sun 29 Assignment 3 Tue 29 Fri 29 Fri 30 Mon 30 Wed 30 Sat
30 Sat 31 Thu 31
February March April May June
Learning environment and programme plan:
Power Plant Systems Analysis Dr Ryno Laubscher Prof. Pieter
Rousseau
Power Plant Systems Analysis Course objective: To lay the
foundations of thermofluid process modelling applied to power
plants, based on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid
mechanics and heat transfer.
1. Start with fundamentals
2. Steep learning curve
3. Useful application
Power Plant Systems Analysis Course objective: To lay the
foundations of thermofluid process modelling applied to power
plants, based on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid
mechanics and heat transfer.
Introduction
• Course objectives • Learning outcomes • Thermofluid systems
analysis • Generic modelling methodology
Power Plant Systems Analysis Course objective: To lay the
foundations of thermofluid process modelling applied to power
plants, based on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid
mechanics and heat transfer.
Introduction Review of fundamentals
• Pressure and temperature • Mass, density and specific volume •
First law of thermodynamics • Second law of thermodynamics •
Momentum • Properties of fluids • Heat transfer • Work and
power
Power Plant Systems Analysis Course objective: To lay the
foundations of thermofluid process modelling applied to power
plants, based on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid
mechanics and heat transfer.
Introduction
Review of fundamentals
• Conservation laws for closed systems • Reynolds transport theorem
• Conservation of mass • Conservation of energy • Conservation of
entropy • Conservation of momentum
Power Plant Systems Analysis Course objective: To lay the
foundations of thermofluid process modelling applied to power
plants, based on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid
mechanics and heat transfer.
Introduction
Review of fundamentals
Power plant component analysis
• Pipes and ducts • Valves • Boilers • Heat exchangers • Pumps •
Compressors • Gas turbines • Steam turbines
Power Plant Systems Analysis Course objective: To lay the
foundations of thermofluid process modelling applied to power
plants, based on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid
mechanics and heat transfer.
Introduction
Review of fundamentals
• Steam power cycle • Basic cycle • Regeneration • Reheating
Power Plant Systems Analysis Course objective: To lay the
foundations of thermofluid process modelling applied to power
plants, based on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid
mechanics and heat transfer.
Introduction
Review of fundamentals
Power plant component analysis
Power plant cycle analysis
• Gas properties • Coal composition • Combustion of gaseous and
liquid fuels • Combustion of solid fuels • Boiler mass and energy
balance • Furnace mass and energy balance • Convective pass mass
and energy balance • Air heater
Power Plant Systems Analysis Course objective: To lay the
foundations of thermofluid process modelling applied to power
plants, based on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid
mechanics and heat transfer.
Introduction
Conservation laws for fluid control volumes
Air and flue gas cycle analysis
Review of fundamentals
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Systems Engineering in the Power Industry A/Prof. Wim Fuls
Systems Engineering in the Power Industry
• To present the discipline of Systems Engineering, with focus on
the application in the power industry.
• Understanding the system life cycle as portrayed by the Vee
diagram
• Various technical management processed involved
• Techniques to develop proper requirement specifications using
functional analysis, derived requirements and architecting.
Systems Engineering in the Power Industry System life cycle
Introduce V-diagram; Overview of SE processes
URS & Specification Needs definition; Con-ops; Stakeholders;
Functional specification
Systems Engineering in the Power Industry Functional analysis
Definition of functions; Types of FA diagrams
Architecture and allocation Concept development; Functional
allocation;
Systems Engineering in the Power Industry Requirements
definition
Requirement definition; Requirement for a requirement; Attributes
of requirements.
System Analysis System modeling; Derived requirements;
Traceability
Interfaces Interface definition and management
Systems Engineering in the Power Industry V&V
Verification and Validation concepts; Compliance matrix; V&V
plan
Optimization & LCC Optimization methods; Life cycle
costing
Change control Impact of changes on a system; Common change control
process; Traceability; Baselines
Systems Engineering in the Power Industry FMECA & Risk Types of
hazard analyses; Risk matrix
Systems Engineering Management Plan Design reviews; Project
milestones / maturity gates; Technical Performance Management
Quality management Quality standards and processes
Contract management Technical management of outsourced
development
Turbine Plant Engineering A/Prof. Wim Fuls
Turbine Plant Engineering
• To present a strong technical overview of the design, operation
and maintenance of steam turbines and the associated equipment such
as the feedwater heaters
• To provide power plant engineers and technicians the required
fundamentals and general understanding so that they can contribute
meaningfully in design modifications, root cause analysis, and
specification development for new built or replacement
equipment.
Turbine Plant Engineering Turbine systems architecture HP, IP, LP
turbines. Single / double flow. Combined
casings. Extractions and Feedheaters. Condensers. Boiler Feed Pump
Turbines.
Turbine Plant Engineering Fundamentals of axial turbines Nozzle
flow theory. Velocity triangles. Impulse, reaction,
velocity staging. Euler momentum equation. Stage loading and
reaction. Last stage blades and exhaust hood. Efficiency &
Turbine losses. Re-heat factor. Partial arc admission. Governing
stage.
Turbine Plant Engineering Performance prediction of steam
turbines
Various flow vs pressure drop models. Turbine efficiency. SCC
method. Acceptance tests. Nozzle-model. Low load operation &
throttling. Low back pressure. High back pressure. Off-design
speed.
Turbine Plant Engineering Auxiliary systems Lube-oil system.
Control oil system. Gland seal steam. Turbine operation Fixed vs
Sliding pressure vs Modified sliding pressure.
Start-up sequence. Limit pressure control. Turbine vs Boiler
following model.
Turbine protection Overspeed protection. Turbine trip and flow
bypass. Diff expansion monitoring. Turbine Stress Monitor. HP load
limiter.
Turbine degradation and maintenance Erosion and fouling and
deposits. Last stage moisture damage. Rotor seal wear.
Turbine Plant Engineering Condensate / Feedwater train Feedwater
train architecture: CFP, LPH, DA, BFP, HPH.
Parallel trains. Feedheater drains and drain pumps. Extraction
lines and NRV’s.
De-aerator, Feedwater, Condensate tanks and make-up
Air extraction principle. Spray-tray vs Stork-type. Level control
and condensate make-up.
Turbine Plant Engineering Shell & tube heaters - fundamentals
and design
Heater architectures: Shell & Tube vs Header type; Vertical vs
Horiz; 1, 2, 3 zones. Heat transfer principles: convection,
condensation. Area allocation and sizing.
Shell & tube heaters - performance and maintenance
Performance indicators TTD, DCA, level. Fouling and erosion. Tube
plugging.
Turbine Plant Engineering Condenser and cooling system Types of
condensers & cooling systems. Load impact on
vacuum. Leaks and fouling. Ejectors.
Power plant boilers: Thermofluid processes and controls Dr Ryno
Laubscher Prof. Pieter Rousseau
Power plant boilers: Thermofluid processes and controls • Areas
covered:
• System-level mass and energy balance • Gas mixture theory •
Combustion theory (infinitely
fast/complete reaction assumption) • Coal • Biomass •
Liquid/Gas
• Convective and radiative heat transfer • Gas to water/steam heat
exchangers
• Combustion chambers • Superheaters • Airheaters •
Economizers
• Operational considerations (control and operation)
Power plant boilers: Thermofluid processes and controls • Lectures
cover all relevant theory, in a block week. • Afterwards students
complete bi-weekly assignments, each
focussing on real-world applications, e.g. design a combustion
chamber for a 20 MWe woody biomass boiler or determine a specific
plant’s thermal efficiency.
• At the end of the course the students are rigorously examined in
a 5 hour seated exam focussing on testing the students practical
application of the learnt theories.
Joining the programme How do I join this programme?
Costs Final programme costs will be released in December by
the
University. We advise that for the purposes of budgeting, please
use
the 2020 fees and estimate an 8% increase.
Therefore, the budgeting fee cost per course is:
Cost per course: R 7 750 (2020) R 8 370 (2021)
Fees per year: R 31 000 (2020) R 33 480 (2021)
Costs of courses at other institutions need to be determined on a
case
by case basis. We suggest that the costing above is used for
2020,
the pricing for courses at other institutions would only be
applicable to
courses taken in 2021. Use the UCT pricing for budgeting
purposes.
Application
Eligibility
Students must have a BSc/BEng/BTech preferably in mechanical or
chemical engineering.
Students not from mechanical or chemical engineering may apply and
should show some prior knowledge of thermodynamics.
Apply online
For more information go to:
www.mecheng.uct.ac.za/powerplant
Career Development
Programme Overview
Course offering
Core Courses
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Power Plant Systems Analysis
Turbine Plant Engineering
Turbine Plant Engineering
Turbine Plant Engineering
Turbine Plant Engineering
Turbine Plant Engineering
Turbine Plant Engineering
Turbine Plant Engineering
Turbine Plant Engineering
Turbine Plant Engineering
Joining the programme