pocketTHERM: A web-based tool for teaching non-ideal thermodynamic cycles

Abstract

pocketTHERM is a set of web-based calculators intended to be used as a teaching tool to introduce basic principles related to thermodynamic cycles operating with non-ideal fluid flows, namely organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power systems and heat pumps. The tool enables these technologies to be introduced interactively to students from a wide range of backgrounds, and at different stages of their education, without requiring any programming knowledge or installation of software. pocketTHERM contains design tools for both ORC and heat pump systems, suitable for carrying out single- and parametric design exercises, alongside self-paced lessons. The underlying model is written in Python, and the PyScript framework is used to call the Python code directly from HTML. Alongside detailing pocketTHERM’s capabilities, this paper puts forward a vision of how it can be used in an engineering curriculum, and serves as an example of how existing Python research codes can be converted into web-based educational tools.

Keywords

• Thermodynamic cycles
• Non-ideal fluid flows
• Engineering education