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CourseAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Aeronautical Thermodynamics Course

Online course of 300 hours in aeronautical thermodynamics. 6 modules covering applied thermodynamics, one-dimensional compressible flow, propulsion cycles, combustion and thermochemistry and heat transfer in aircraft with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Apply the principles of thermodynamics to open and closed aeronautical systems.

02

Solve one-dimensional compressible flow problems in ducts and nozzles.

03

Analyse propulsion cycles and their efficiencies.

04

Calculate combustion processes and flame temperatures.

05

Evaluate on-board heat transfer and air conditioning systems.

06

Carry out exergy analyses of aeronautical systems.

07

Develop a complete thermodynamic study of an aircraft system.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Propulsion engineers.
  • Thermal systems engineers in aerospace.
  • Performance engineers at aircraft or engine manufacturers.
  • Aircraft environmental control systems engineers.
  • Thermodynamic simulation analysts.
  • Aeronautical R&D engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to join aircraft manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 2533:1975 (standard atmosphere)
  • ICAO Doc 7488 (manual of the ICAO standard atmosphere)
  • SAE AS755F (aircraft propulsion system performance station designation)
  • SAE AS681 (gas turbine engine performance presentation and nomenclature for digital computers)
  • EASA CS-25 (certification specifications for large aeroplanes)
  • ASTM D1655 (specification for aviation turbine fuels)
  • SAE ARP1270B (aircraft cabin pressurisation criteria)
  • EES (Engineering Equation Solver)
  • Cantera
  • GasTurb
  • MATLAB
  • CoolProp
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Systems, properties and states
  2. 1.2First law in open systems
  3. 1.3Second law and entropy
  4. 1.4Ideal gas and variable specific heats
  5. 1.5International Standard Atmosphere
  6. 1.6Stagnation quantities
  7. 1.7Exergy and availability losses
  8. 1.8T-s and h-s diagrams
  9. 1.9Properties of gas mixtures
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: property table at different altitudes
  1. 2.1Speed of sound and Mach number
  2. 2.2Isentropic flow in ducts
  3. 2.3Convergent and convergent-divergent nozzles
  4. 2.4Choking and maximum mass flow
  5. 2.5Normal shock waves
  6. 2.6Fanno flow with friction
  7. 2.7Rayleigh flow with heat addition
  8. 2.8Diffusers and pressure recovery
  9. 2.9Application to air intakes
  10. 2.10Workshop: design of an adapted exhaust nozzle
  1. 3.1Brayton cycle with component efficiencies
  2. 3.2Turbojet cycle with afterburning
  3. 3.3Separate-flow turbofan cycle
  4. 3.4Regenerative and intercooled cycles
  5. 3.5Ramjet cycle
  6. 3.6Propulsive, thermal and overall efficiency
  7. 3.7High-temperature and high-pressure-ratio cycles
  8. 3.8Aircraft piston engine cycles
  9. 3.9Comparison of cycles by mission
  10. 3.10Lab: bypass ratio optimisation
  1. 4.1Stoichiometry of aviation fuels
  2. 4.2Heating value and enthalpy of formation
  3. 4.3Adiabatic flame temperature
  4. 4.4Chemical equilibrium and dissociation
  5. 4.5Combustion products and emissions
  6. 4.6Alternative fuels and their properties
  7. 4.7Hydrogen as an energy carrier
  8. 4.8Thermochemistry with real mixtures
  9. 4.9Calculations with equilibrium software
  10. 4.10Case study: flame temperature with different fuels
  1. 5.1Conduction, convection and radiation
  2. 5.2On-board heat exchangers
  3. 5.3Aircraft air conditioning cycles
  4. 5.4Air cycle machines and bootstrap systems
  5. 5.5Cabin pressurisation
  6. 5.6Avionics thermal management
  7. 5.7Hot-air anti-icing
  8. 5.8Aerodynamic heating at high speed
  9. 5.9Vapour-cycle refrigeration
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: energy balance of an air conditioning pack
  1. 6.1Definition of the system and mission
  2. 6.2Proposed thermodynamic model
  3. 6.3Calculation of states and properties
  4. 6.4Analysis of efficiencies and losses
  5. 6.5Parametric study of key variables
  6. 6.6Exergy analysis of the system
  7. 6.7Validation with reference data
  8. 6.8Conclusions and proposals
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is EES (Engineering Equation Solver), Cantera, GasTurb, MATLAB and CoolProp, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: exhaust nozzle design, parametric study of propulsion cycles and thermal balance of air conditioning systems. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: ISO 2533:1975, ICAO Doc 7488, SAE AS755F, SAE AS681, EASA CS-25, ASTM D1655, SAE ARP1270B.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 2533:1975, ICAO Doc 7488 and SAE AS755F applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:EES (Engineering Equation Solver), Cantera, GasTurb, MATLAB, CoolProp, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete thermodynamic study of an aircraft system, including parametric and exergy analysis, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

System and mission definition
Define the aircraft system, its mission and the proposed thermodynamic model.
States and properties
Calculate the states and properties throughout the system.
Efficiencies and losses
Analyse efficiencies and losses and run a parametric study of key variables.
Exergy and validation
Carry out an exergy analysis and validate the results against reference data.
Final project
A documented thermodynamic study with conclusions and proposals, reviewed with your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Propulsion EngineerThermal Systems EngineerPerformance EngineerAircraft Environmental Systems EngineerThermodynamic Simulation AnalystAeronautical R&D Engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with EES (Engineering Equation Solver), Cantera, GasTurb, MATLAB, CoolProp, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and enough English to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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