Applied Thermodynamics Course | IIT Madras NPTEL | Prof. V. Raghavan
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 99 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Mechanical Engineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Power of Real-World Engineering with Applied Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the backbone of mechanical engineering, governing everything from car engines and power plants to air conditioners and jet propulsion. While foundational courses establish the core principles, the true challenge—and excitement—lies in applying these laws to solve complex, real-world problems. This is where the Applied Thermodynamics course, offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) through NPTEL, becomes an invaluable resource for aspiring engineers.
Taught by the esteemed Prof. V. Raghavan, this meticulously structured 12-week program is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical engineering analysis. It empowers undergraduate students to become proficient in evaluating and optimizing the performance of critical engineering systems.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. V. Raghavan
Learning from an expert with both deep academic knowledge and extensive research experience is crucial. Prof. Raghavan brings exactly that to this course:
- Academic Credentials: He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Madras and conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA.
- Teaching Excellence: A professor at IIT Madras since 2007, he instructs core courses like Thermodynamics, Applied Thermal Engineering, and Combustion Technology.
- Research Expertise: His active research areas include combustion of fuel droplets, laminar flames, fire modeling, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for reacting flows, ensuring the course content is informed by cutting-edge industry and research challenges.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is primarily intended for Undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering and related fields.
Prerequisite: A solid understanding of Engineering Thermodynamics or Basic Thermodynamics is essential. If you need a refresher, IIT Madras offers a complementary course, "Engineering Thermodynamics" (NPTEL course ID: 112106320), which provides the perfect foundation.
Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes
The course is built with clear, actionable goals to ensure tangible skill development.
Primary Objectives: To enable the analysis of practical devices and applications using the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics. Key applications covered include:
- Steam and Gas Turbine Power Plants
- Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems
- Spark-Ignition and Compression-Ignition (Diesel) IC Engines
- Psychrometry & Air Conditioning Processes
- Combustion of Fuels
- Compressible Flow through Nozzles
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Perform a complete thermodynamic analysis of any thermal system.
- Evaluate key performance metrics like First Law (thermal) and Second Law (exergetic) efficiencies.
- Calculate critical thermodynamic properties at the exit of nozzles using air or steam as the working fluid.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is systematically divided into weekly modules, each building upon the last to create a comprehensive understanding.
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | Second Law & Entropy: Entropy change in control volumes, entropy generation, and work in reversible steady-flow processes. Includes foundational tutorials. |
| Weeks 3-4 | Exergy (Availability) Analysis: Concept of exergy, exergy transfer/destruction, and application to systems and control volumes. Crucial for identifying inefficiencies. |
| Weeks 5-6 | Power & Refrigeration Cycles: In-depth study of Rankine (steam), Brayton (gas turbine), Otto, and Diesel cycles. Introduction to vapor-compression refrigeration cycles. |
| Weeks 7-8 | Psychrometry: Properties of moist air, psychrometric charts, air-conditioning processes, adiabatic mixing, and cooling tower fundamentals. |
| Weeks 9-10 | Combustion Thermodynamics: Stoichiometry, enthalpy of formation/combustion, calorific value, adiabatic flame temperature, and entropy generation in reactions. |
| Weeks 11-12 | Compressible Flow: Fundamentals of compressible flow, Mach number, normal shock waves, and analysis of flow through convergent and convergent-divergent nozzles for both air and steam. |
Recommended Textbooks
To supplement the video lectures and tutorials, the following textbooks are highly recommended:
- Sonntag, Borgnakke, and Van Wylen: Fundamentals of Thermodynamics (6th Ed.) – A classic, comprehensive text.
- Moran and Shapiro: Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics – Renowned for its clarity and engineering focus.
- Babu, V.: Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics – A valuable contemporary resource.
- Venkatesh, A.: Basic Engineering Thermodynamics – A strong alternative for building core concepts.
Why Enroll in This Applied Thermodynamics Course?
This course is more than just a series of lectures; it's a structured journey toward engineering competency. By combining theoretical derivations with numerous worked examples and tutorials, Prof. Raghavan ensures you don't just learn concepts—you learn how to apply them. Whether you're aiming to ace your university exams, build a strong foundation for GATE/IES preparation, or simply gain the practical skills demanded by the energy, automotive, and HVAC industries, this course is an exceptional opportunity to learn from one of India's leading institutions.
Take the next step in your mechanical engineering education. Master the application of thermodynamics and unlock your potential to design, analyze, and optimize the technologies that power our world.
Enroll Now →