Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:15 AM AWST

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Apply basic principles of marine engineering thermodynamics

Apply basic principles of marine engineering thermodynamics

Unit of competency
National Code
MARL043
State Code
OCG56
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
27/10/2020
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
09/04/2021
Field of Education
031701 - Maritime Engineering
Original Release Date
09/04/2021
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to apply basic principles of engineering thermodynamics to perform calculations and to explain the operation of marine machinery, including engines, compressors, steam plants, and refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) units.This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:Engineer Watchkeeper (STCW Engineer Watchkeeper Unlimited). Licensing/Regulatory InformationLegislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit. This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as an Engineer Watchkeeper (STCW Engineer Watchkeeper Unlimited) to meet regulatory requirements this unit must be delivered consistent with Marine Orders and with the relevant sections of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).Those regulatory requirements include STCW International Maritime Organization (IMO) model course competencies and areas of knowledge, understanding and proficiency, together with the estimated total hours required for lectures and practical exercises. Teaching staff should note that timings are suggestions only and should be adapted to suit individual groups of trainees depending on their experience, ability, equipment and staff available for training.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Explain common thermodynamic principles
  • 1.1 Desired International System of Units (SI) applicable to thermodynamic calculations are developed
  • 1.2 Basic properties of fluids are outlined
  • 1.3 Gauge pressure is distinguished from absolute pressure
  • 1.4 Temperature is defined and temperature scales are outlined
  • 1.5 Calculations are performed by applying formulae for work, power and efficiency
2 Calculate properties of gas during expansion and compression
  • 2.1 Calculations are performed by applying Boyle’s, Charles’s and combined gas laws
  • 2.2 Gas equation is derived and applied to gas process calculations
  • 2.3 Specific heat of gases and the relationship between constant pressure (Cp), constant volume (Cv), gas constant (R) and Gamma (G) are defined
  • 2.4 Heat transfer is calculated for Cp and Cv processes
  • 2.5 Isothermal, adiabatic and polytropic processes are outlined and properties of gases after expansion and compression, including the effects of turbocharging, are calculated
  • 2.6 Work required to compress gases is illustrated and calculated
3 Explain methods of heat transfer
  • 3.1 Different forms of heat transfer and their application to marine systems are explained
  • 3.2 Heat transfer through flat layers is calculated
  • 3.3 Purpose of insulation is explained
4 Explain enthalpy and apply to mixture calculations
  • 4.1 Heat energy is defined
  • 4.2 Fundamental formula for heat energy transfer is developed
  • 4.3 Specific heat and its application are identified
  • 4.4 Enthalpy and change of phase are outlined
  • 4.5 Heat mixture problems involving water equivalent, ice, water and steam are solved
  • 4.6 Specific heat of materials are calculated
  • 4.7 Latent heat and dryness fraction are identified
  • 4.8 Steam tables are used to find values of enthalpy for water, saturated and superheated steam and dryness fraction
  • 4.9 Temperature/enthalpy diagram is constructed from steam table data
5 Explain steam plants and calculate thermal efficiency
  • 5.1 Basic steam plant cycles are sketched and function of each component is outlined
  • 5.2 Steam cycles on a temperature/enthalpy diagram are illustrated
  • 5.3 Effects of superheating and under-cooling are clarified
  • 5.4 Calculations are performed for heat supplied, rejected, work and thermal efficiency of a steam plant
  • 5.5 Methods of improving cycle efficiency are outlined
6 Explain operation of internal combustion engine cycles
  • 6.1 Operating principles of two-stroke and four-stroke internal combustion engines are outlined
  • 6.2 Differentiation is made, by use of a pressure/volume diagram, between Otto, diesel and dual combustion cycles
  • 6.3 Mean effective pressure is calculated from an indicator diagram
  • 6.4 Indicated power formula is developed and related calculations are solved
  • 6.5 Specific fuel consumption is defined and calculated
  • 6.6 Ideal cycle and air standard efficiency is defined
7 Explain operating cycle of reciprocating air compressors
  • 7.1 Pressure/volume diagram is used to describe operating cycle of single stage reciprocating air compressors
  • 7.2 Mass of air delivered by single stage reciprocating air compressors is calculated
  • 7.3 Clearance volume and its effect on volumetric efficiency is outlined, and volumetric efficiency is calculated
  • 7.4 Work per cycle for isothermal and polytropic processes is calculated
8 Explain operating cycle of RAC plant
  • 8.1 Principle of refrigeration is outlined
  • 8.2 Temperature/enthalpy and pressure/enthalpy diagrams are compared
  • 8.3 Refrigerants used in RAC machines are identified
  • 8.4 Refrigeration effect and plant capacity are defined
  • 8.5 Refrigeration tables are used to calculate refrigeration effect and condition of vapour after expansion
  • 8.6 Operating cycle of self-contained and centralised air conditioning systems are outlined and compared
  • 8.7 Relative humidity is defined and key features of a psychrometric chart are outlined
9 Apply linear, superficial and volumetric expansion equations to calculate expansion of liquids and metals
  • 9.1 Expansion processes for metals is defined
  • 9.2 Coefficient of linear expansion is outlined
  • 9.3 Linear expansion is applied to calculate machinery clearances and to shrink fit allowances
  • 9.4 Superficial and volumetric expansion of solids is calculated and recorded
  • 9.5 Apparent expansion of liquids in tanks is calculated and recorded
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Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
AUG51 MARL011 Apply basic principles of marine engineering thermodynamics Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
BFV7 MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering Qualification