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Mechanical engineering: heat and flow

In this module, you’ll study thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and sustainability. Theoretical understanding is supported and applied with practical experiments conducted individually and in pairs (using expansion of a perfect gas equipment and wind tunnels) in our . During your study, you’ll learn industrially relevant skills of heat transfer analysis using ANSYS, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software package. As part of a group project, you’ll apply the knowledge gained to design the heating and cooling of a low-carbon building.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

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Module

Module code

T229

Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
30

Study level

Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU module levels correspond to these frameworks.
Level of Study
OU SCQF FHEQ
2 9 5

Study method

Distance Learning

Module cost

See Module registration

Entry requirements

See Entry requirements

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Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

T229 has been designed in three parts; each part is presented both as a printed book with associated online activities. Part 1 focuses on thermodynamics; Part 2 covers fluid mechanics; Part 3 is about heating, cooling and sustainability.

Part 1: Thermodynamics
You’ll consider different forms of energy and how it transforms from one to another. You’ll then discover the limits to these transformations, and the directionality of these processes before learning how heat energy can be harnessed to do mechanical work using a heat engine. This understanding will then be applied to both steam turbines for power generation and jet engines for transport. The reverse process, the heat pump is introduced, as the basis of the refrigeration cycle. Its usefulness in both geothermal power and food preservation is explained.

Part 2: Fluid mechanics
This part looks at the behaviour of liquids and gases moving in a wide range of situations, from domestic plumbing to hurricanes and from jet engines to hydraulic braking systems such as that found in various forms of transport. You will learn how physical and mathematical models help engineers to understand the behaviour of fluids and to solve real-world problems.

Part 3: Heating, cooling and sustainability
You’ll apply your knowledge to design the heating and cooling of ‘low carbon’ buildings and will learn about heat transfer mechanisms within buildings – including radiators, insulation and heat exchange mechanisms. You’ll consider the role of ;engineers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the context of global climate policies and will be taught how to apply simple Life Cycle Assessment to buildings. Part 3 also introduces the theory behind effective teamwork and applies this to a group project to design a low-energy and low-carbon building.

Throughout the module there will be opportunities to complement and enhance theoretical knowledge by carrying out a number of relevant experiments. In Parts 1 and 2, you’ll remotely access our OpenEngineering Laboratory to carry out experiments and acquire data in real time. In Part 3, you’ll gain skills in heat transfer analysis by exploring the use of the industry-standard finite element analysis (FEA) software package, ANSYS. If you have concerns about working in a group, talk these through with your tutor as soon as possible.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Throughout your module studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:

  • Marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
  • Guiding you to additional learning resources.
  • Providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
  • Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Module tutors also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available to students. While these tutorials won’t be compulsory for you to complete the module, you’re strongly encouraged to take part.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Future availability

Mechanical engineering: heat and flow (T229) starts once a year – in October.

This page describes the module that will start in October 2025.

We expect it to start for the last time in October 2027.

Regulations

As a student of 快猫视频, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our website.

Course work includes:

3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
3 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
End-of-module assessment


Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements to study this module.

However, we recommend you’ve passed one of the following modules:

The module assumes a level of mathematics skill and prior knowledge which you’ll get from successfully completing one of the modules above. It assumes, and builds on, existing knowledge and skill in the use of trigonometry; differential and integral calculus; vectors; polar coordinate systems; and complex numbers.

If you’re not sure you’re ready, .

Preparatory work

Core engineering A (T271) and Core engineering B (T272) are ideal preparation for this module. We highly recommend you’ve at least studied T271 before studying T229.

Register

Start End Fee
- - -

No current presentation - see Future availability
This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2027.

Additional Costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

快猫视频 Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient &/courses/modules/t229/39;pay as you go&/courses/modules/t229/39; option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that 快猫视频 works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

  • Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
  • Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Joint loan applications

If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.

As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.

Read more about .

Employer sponsorship

Studying with 快猫视频 can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. 

  • Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
  • You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.  

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module. 

We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron. 

Mixed payments

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an .


Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University&/courses/modules/t229/39;s fee policy, visit our

This information was provided on 01/11/2024.

Can you study an Access module for free?

Depending on eligibility and availability of places, you could apply to study your Access module for free.

To qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a household income of not more than £25,000 (or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above or successfully completed 30 credits or more of OU study within the last 10 years

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you&/courses/modules/t229/39;ve started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we&/courses/modules/t229/39;ll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible and funded places are still available.

If you&/courses/modules/t229/39;re unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069, or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don&/courses/modules/t229/39;t worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you&/courses/modules/t229/39;ll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

What's included

  • Access to the module study materials via the module website.
  • Three printed module books and a handbook.

Module material is provided in three printed books and two OEL instruction booklets along with associated online activities on the T229 module website. In order to successfully study this module, you need to access both the online and printed materials. A module map and study planner are available for you to use when planning your study.

The module map shows the overall structure of the module and the key assessment dates, with each week displaying detail of what you will be studying. Each week the study planner has an essential overview, which shows what needs to be studied and the order in which to study the print.

You will need

  • A scientific calculator.
  • A device capable of producing digital images (e.g. a smartphone, digital camera or scanner).
  • Basic drawing equipment.

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date 64-bit version of Windows (10 or 11)*. Any macOS is unsuitable.

Minimum and recommended requirements for 快猫视频 ANSYS software:

  • Minimum i3 processor or equivalent (i5 equivalent or above recommended).
  • Minimum 512 MB graphics card (1 GB or higher recommended).
  • Minimum 4 GB of RAM* (8 GB or more recommended).
  • Minimum 25 GB hard drive (50 GB or larger strongly recommended).
  • Physical ‘C:/’ drive present.
  • You’ll need administrator privileges on your machine.
  • OpenGL-capable.

*A version of ANSYS for Linux OS is also available. The Linux version may require more than 4 GB of RAM.

In addition:

  • You’ll need control over your internet connection settings – corporate firewalls may prevent FEA software from accessing the Internet.
  • 22" or larger monitor recommended.

See for information on Ansys Student Version.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop as described above.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying T229 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our .