ABSTRACT
Thermal energy systems are abundant in the commercial and residential sectors. They are thermal because they often involve the transfer of heat. They typically use working fluids to transport energy. They are systems because there are several components connected together to form some sort of process or cycle. Some examples of thermal energy systems are as follows:
• A heating and cooling system for a commercial or residential building
• A network of pipes and pumps used to transport a fluid to and from various processes within an industrial facility
• A vapor power cycle used to deliver electrical power • A vapor compression refrigeration cycle used for cooling or heating
In the design of such systems, the engineer seeks to select components of the system such that the system performs as required while minimizing cost.
