Study Thermal Power MSc

Cranfield University

The focus of the Thermal Power MSc course at Cranfield is the gas turbine engine. Gas turbine engines are now the primary source of propulsive power for aircraft and are finding increasing application in the power and energy sectors. The gas turbine - steam turbine combined cycle is the most efficient electricity generating plant for industrial scale applications. Gas turbine engineering is a very successful manufacturing field in the United Kingdom and Europe. The industry accounts for over £30 billion of sales worldwide. The number of gas turbines in service is expected to expand greatly in the next few years and industrial gas turbine sales are now of a similar value to those of aircraft gas turbines.
This success is due to continuous advances in the many disciplines required to design, operate and maintain these engines effectively. This requires detailed expertise in a wide range of disciplines including aerothermodynamics, materials science, combustion, mechanical integrity and manufacturing. Large benefits can be accrued by Gas Turbine operators if they have trained personnel understanding the impact of tactical decisions in the operation and maintenance of gas turbine engines. This knowledge can have a great impact on the economic performance of the operator because of the complexity and cost of the gas turbine and the associated equipment.

The industry and postgraduates

Cranfield plays an important role in the provision of the expertise that underpins this exciting field of engineering. Cranfield teaching programmes prepare postgraduate engineers for challenging and rewarding careers. Engineers from many countries have completed the specialist Thermal Power MSc course and are now making important contributions to organisations in this advanced area of engineering. Thermal Power M.Sc. graduates have progressed to very senior positions in international organisations. The understanding obtained from the course has greatly strengthened their knowledge base helping them make important technical contributions with financial implications. The skills acquired provide commercial and operational benefits in a growth industry operating high technology equipment in a demanding and competitive environment.

The Course

The course has three options that have been designed in response to the demands of the industry sectors where the gas turbine engine has major relevance. The three options share common courses but the mandatory and optional modules within each option provide the difference in emphasis. The options are:

1.    Aerospace Propulsion: The development of aerospace vehicles has revolutionised all aspects of modern life. The key technological achievement underlying this revolution has been the design and development of efficient and economical propulsion systems. The breadth of aerospace activities, such as manufacturing, procurement, research, operation and maintenance generates a large demand for expert engineers. Given the growth forecast in the industry, this demand is expected to increase.
The Aerospace Propulsion option within the M.Sc. in Thermal Power gives the prospective propulsion engineer a detailed insight into the principles and practices of the advanced technology employed in the wide range of power pants for aeronautical and space vehicles. A thorough grounding is provided in the design and operation of different types of propulsion systems for aerospace applications in a course structured to meet the different needs of individual course members. Typical lecture courses within this option are:

- Propulsion System Performance and Integration
- Engine Systems
- Fuels and Combustion
- Gas Turbine Theory and Performance
- Piston Engines
- Space Propulsion
- Spacecraft Systems
- Turbomachinery

2.    Rotating Machinery Engineering and Management: Rotating Machinery is employed today in a wide variety of industrial applications. This option of the M.Sc. in Thermal Power emphasises subjects of particular interest to major users in oil, power, gas and process industries; including topics such as prime movers and driven equipment, selection, project planning, commissioning, operation maintenance and management of power systems. A thorough grounding is provided in the operation of different types of rotating machinery for industrial, marine and off-shore applications. Staff with experience in prime movers and driven equipment provide an insight into varied aspects of machinery design and operation. Typical lecture courses within this option are:

- Specification and Performance of Mechanical and Electrical Rotating Equipment
- Emissions and Abatement
- Engine Systems
- Fuels and Combustion
- Gas Turbine Applications
- Steam Plant and Diesels
- Management for Technology

3.    Gas Turbine Technology: This option provides a more general overview of the design and operation of the gas turbine engine. With its high power to weight ratio the gas turbine is being used for an ever growing number of different applications. This type of engine has been developed to very high levels of efficiency, reliability and environmental friendliness. Engine manufacturers continuously intensify their development efforts given the current economic and environmental pressures. On the other hand users wish to operate this complex and expensive machine in a widening range of environments and applications. To enhance the quality of decisions relating to the design, development, operation and maintenance of gas turbines an advanced level of knowledge in a variety of complex disciplines is required. A thorough grounding is provided in the design and operation of gas turbines for different applications in a course structured to meet the different needs of individual course members. Typical lecture courses within this option are:

- Engine Systems
- Blade Cooling
- Fuels and Combustion
- Gas Turbine Applications
- Gas Turbine Theory and Performance
- Mechanical Design of Turbomachinery
- Materials Selection
- Turbomachinery

The Programme

The teaching programme comprises a series of lecture courses and an extensive research or design project. The final M.Sc. assessment is weighted equally between these two components The lecture programme consists of, typically, twelve to fifteen courses. About three quarters of these are compulsory and the remainder may be selected from a long list of optional subjects. The programme also benefits from invited lectures from senior engineers and managers from the propulsion, power and gas turbine user industries.
In addition to the lecture programme the candidate is required to submit a written thesis describing a project carried out during the course. The thesis is examined orally in September in the presence of an external examiner. Many of these theses have been carried out with industrial contacts and often have resulted in international publications. Typical topics of projects undertaken recently are:

- Procurement Criteria For Civil Aero-Engines
- Semi-Closed Power Cycles For Co2 Abatement
- Comparison Of Alternative Civil Aviation Power Plants
- Propulsion System for a Cruise Liner
- Combined Cycle Technical and Economic Evaluations
- Gas Path Anaysis and Engine Diagnostics
- Procurement Criteria for Combined Heat and Power
- Risk Analysis in the Power Industry
- Repowering Steam Turbine Plants
- Availability and Reliability of Prime Movers

In addition to the technical subjects, a two week, intensive Management course is offered to all M.Sc. candidates. This course assists in achieving exemptions from some engineering council requirements.

Entry Qualifications

Applicants must possess the equivalent of an U.K. First or Second Class Honours Degree in Engineering, Applied Science or Mathematics. Candidates with alternative qualifications and suitable experience may also be considered.

For further Information please contact:

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