Test The Expert System For Thermodynamics
Subrata Bhattacharjee
Abstract
Just as calculators revolutionized engineering problem solving, the day has come for web-delivered domain-specific software tools to bring about the next revolution in engineering education and practice. Students can not only solve a problem online, but conduct parametric studies, simulate engineering systems and gain an insight which is not possible in a traditional set up. Web delivery means the software is available anywhere, anytime from classroom to the dormitory without the hassles of installation, upgrades, or compatibility with operating systems. Such a web-based tool, TEST, The Expert System for Thermodynamics, is being developed at San Diego State University for a comprehensive education of engineering thermodynamics. TEST is more than a thermodynamic calculator. It combines hundreds of HTML pages with the power of Java programming to offer a visual environment over the web to analyze thermodynamic problems, obtain paperless solution, plot thermodynamics graphs, generate solutions and reports, spreadsheet friendly thermodynamic tables, pursue what-if scenarios after a problem is solved, and produce TEST-Code which can be stored or emailed to regenerate a solution instantly. The topics covered include state evaluation, energy, entropy and exergy analysis, closed and open cycles, refrigeration, air-conditioning, combustion and gas dynamics.