Miftah Rizky Ananta

Studies Recap

Week 1 Conversation with ChatGPT regarding thermal energy conversion

Week 2 Internal Combustion Engine simultion using OpenModelica

ChatGPT Conversations

17 February 2023

Miftah Rizky Ananta: what is thermal energy conversion in engineering?

ChatGPT: Thermal energy conversion in engineering refers to the process of converting thermal energy, which is the energy that comes from the heat of a substance, into other forms of energy, such as mechanical or electrical energy.

There are various ways to convert thermal energy, including:

Steam turbines: The steam produced by boiling water is used to turn a turbine, which in turn generates mechanical energy.

Gas turbines: Combustion of fuel produces hot gases that are used to turn a turbine, which produces mechanical energy.

Internal combustion engines: The fuel is burned inside the engine, and the heat produced is used to create a high-pressure gas, which moves a piston, generating mechanical energy.

Thermoelectric generators: When there is a temperature difference between two materials, an electric voltage is produced, and this voltage can be used to generate electrical energy.

Heat exchangers: Heat exchangers transfer heat from one fluid to another, such as heating water with waste heat from an industrial process.

These methods are used in a variety of applications, such as power generation, transportation, and heating and cooling systems. The efficiency of the thermal energy conversion process is an important consideration in engineering, as it affects the overall performance and cost-effectiveness of the system.

Miftah Rizky Ananta: what are the applications

ChatGPT:Thermal energy conversion has a wide range of applications in engineering. Here are some examples:

Power generation: Thermal energy conversion is used to generate electricity in power plants. For example, steam turbines are used in coal-fired, natural gas, or nuclear power plants to generate electricity.

Transportation: Internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and fuel cells are used in various vehicles, such as cars, trucks, ships, and airplanes, to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy for propulsion.

Heating and cooling systems: Heat pumps and refrigeration systems use thermal energy conversion to move heat from one location to another, either for heating or cooling.

Industrial processes: Thermal energy conversion is used in various industrial processes, such as furnaces, boilers, and kilns, to heat materials for processing or to generate steam for other applications.

Renewable energy systems: Solar thermal energy systems use thermal energy conversion to convert solar energy into heat, which can be used to generate electricity or for heating purposes.

Overall, thermal energy conversion is a crucial technology for many industries and applications, as it allows us to efficiently and effectively use the energy stored in heat.

Miftah Rizky Ananta: explain like i'm 5

ChatGPT:Thermal energy is the heat energy that comes from something that's hot. It can be used to make other kinds of energy, like electricity, or to move things like cars, trains, and planes.

For example, when you boil water on the stove, the heat from the stove makes the water hot, and the steam that comes off the water can be used to turn a turbine, which can make electricity. Or, when you ride in a car, the engine takes the heat energy from burning fuel and turns it into the energy that moves the car forward.

Thermal energy conversion is like a magic trick that turns heat into other kinds of energy that we can use for lots of things!

Personal Project

My project will be regarding the performance on my car, a Honda Stream RSZ, before and after a tune

The Honda Stream RSZ is powered by the Honda R18A engine, which in stock form with no modifications produces 140 horsepower and 174 Nm of torque with a minimum requirement of RON 91 gasoline fuel. However, my car has been fitted with some modifications, including a cold air intake, iridium spark plugs, and a new exhaust. To take advantage of these modifications, the car has to be tuned, preferably with the aid of a dynamometer. There are multiple ways of tuning a car, which can be achieved by remapping the original ECU or using a piggyback ECU. I have gone for the piggyback ecu, using a Dastek Unichip Q.

Before the tune, my car made 152 engine horsepower and 173 Nm of torque. After the tune, my car made 157 engine horsepower and 193 Nm of torque.

Most naturally aspirated engines, especially smaller displacement ones, only gain 10% power after just a tune.