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M-TECH in Thermal Power Engineering at Acharya Institute of Technology
Bengaluru, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is Thermal Power Engineering at Acharya Institute of Technology Bengaluru?
This Thermal Power Engineering program at Acharya Institute of Technology focuses on advanced principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and their applications in power generation and thermal systems. It addresses the growing energy demands in India and the need for efficient, sustainable power solutions. The program equips students with expertise in areas like power plant design, energy conservation, and computational thermal analysis, crucial for the Indian energy sector.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for mechanical engineering graduates seeking specialized knowledge in thermal sciences, particularly those aspiring to careers in power generation, energy management, and HVAC. It also suits working professionals in related industries looking to upgrade their skills with modern computational tools and sustainable energy technologies, enabling them to contribute to India''''s evolving energy landscape.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to secure roles as thermal engineers, energy managers, power plant design engineers, or research scientists in Indian energy companies, consultancies, and PSUs. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 LPA, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program fosters expertise in critical areas demanded by India''''s infrastructure and industrial growth, aligning with national energy goals.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Thermal Engineering Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicating significant time to truly understand the foundational subjects like Advanced Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer is crucial. Utilize textbooks, online lectures (e.g., NPTEL courses), and solve a wide range of problems to build a strong theoretical base for all subsequent courses.
Tools & Resources
NPTEL courses on Thermal Engineering, Standard textbooks (e.g., Cengel, White), Problem-solving sessions
Career Connection
A robust understanding of fundamentals is indispensable for excelling in technical interviews and for building complex thermal systems in roles such as design or research engineers.
Develop Computational and Simulation Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Numerical Methods labs. Learn to use industry-standard software like ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or MATLAB for thermal simulations. Engage in small projects or online tutorials to gain hands-on experience beyond classroom assignments.
Tools & Resources
ANSYS Fluent/Workbench, OpenFOAM, MATLAB, Online CFD tutorials (e.g., YouTube, Udemy)
Career Connection
Proficiency in simulation tools is highly valued in the Indian R&D and design sectors, opening doors to advanced engineering and analysis positions in thermal industries.
Engage in Technical Seminars and Discussions- (Semester 1-2)
Go beyond mere attendance in technical seminars. Actively prepare for your own seminar presentations, delve deep into the chosen topics, and participate in peer discussions. This improves communication skills and broadens understanding of current research trends.
Tools & Resources
IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Web of Science, Departmental seminar series
Career Connection
Strong presentation and communication skills are vital for technical roles, client interaction, and academic pursuits, enhancing your professional growth trajectory.
Intermediate Stage
Pursue Meaningful Internships/Industrial Training- (Semester 2-3)
Seek out and complete internships in relevant industries such as power generation, HVAC, or energy management companies in India. Focus on gaining practical experience in design, analysis, or operations of thermal systems. Actively seek mentorship and work on challenging problems.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, LinkedIn, Internshala, Industry contacts
Career Connection
Internships provide crucial real-world exposure, build industry networks, and significantly enhance your resume, making you more employable for core engineering roles and potential pre-placement offers.
Specialize through Professional Electives- (Semester 2-3)
Strategically choose professional electives that align with your career interests. If you aspire to work in power plants, opt for courses like Combustion Engineering and Advanced Power Plant Engineering. If interested in sustainability, choose Renewable Energy Systems or Waste to Energy. Deep dive into these chosen areas.
Tools & Resources
Course handbook, Faculty advisors, Industry trend reports
Career Connection
Specialized knowledge makes you a strong candidate for specific roles within the vast thermal engineering domain, allowing you to stand out in a competitive Indian job market.
Participate in Technical Competitions & Projects- (Semester 2-3)
Engage in national or state-level technical competitions (e.g., student design challenges, energy audit contests) or undertake mini-projects related to thermal systems. This fosters innovation, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork, showcasing practical application of theoretical knowledge.
Tools & Resources
Institution''''s technical clubs, Project exhibition platforms, Startup incubators
Career Connection
Participation demonstrates initiative and practical skills, highly valued by employers in India, and can lead to networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Advanced Stage
Excel in Project Work (Dissertation)- (Semester 3-4)
Your M.Tech project is the pinnacle of your learning. Choose a challenging and relevant research topic, conduct thorough literature reviews, implement rigorous methodologies (experimental or computational), and produce a high-quality dissertation. Aim for publications in conferences or journals.
Tools & Resources
Research labs, Specialized software licenses, Research databases, Faculty mentors
Career Connection
A strong dissertation is a powerful differentiator for R&D roles, academic positions, or entrepreneurship. Publications significantly boost your profile for top companies and PhD admissions.
Network and Prepare for Placements- (Semester 3-4)
Actively network with alumni, industry professionals, and recruiters through workshops, seminars, and LinkedIn. Prepare thoroughly for placement interviews, focusing on technical depth, problem-solving aptitude, and communication skills. Practice mock interviews and aptitude tests regularly.
Tools & Resources
Alumni network, Placement cells, Online aptitude platforms (e.g., IndiaBix), Mock interview sessions
Career Connection
Effective networking can open doors to unadvertised positions, while strong preparation ensures success in the competitive campus placement drives in India.
Contribute to Sustainable Energy Initiatives- (Semester 3-4)
Focus your project or elective choices on sustainable energy technologies, energy efficiency, or waste-to-energy solutions. Engage with government initiatives or NGOs working on renewable energy in India. This aligns your skills with national priorities and emerging market demands.
Tools & Resources
MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) reports, IRENA publications, Industry events
Career Connection
Expertise in sustainable energy is a rapidly growing field in India, offering numerous career opportunities in renewable energy companies, policy-making, and green technology startups.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Candidates must have acquired BE/ B.Tech/ AMIE in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Management, or equivalent degree from a recognized university. Candidates who have also appeared for the PGCET examination conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) or GATE examination are eligible to apply.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 84 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 50%, External: 50%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22MTE11 | Advanced Thermodynamics | Core | 4 | Fundamental Concepts of Thermodynamics, First Law and Second Law of Thermodynamics, Properties of Pure Substances and Mixtures, Thermodynamic Relations for Pure Substances, Real Gases and Equations of State, Statistical Thermodynamics |
| 22MTE12 | Advanced Fluid Mechanics | Core | 4 | Introduction to Fluid Flow Analysis, Laminar Flow and Viscous Effects, Turbulent Flow Characteristics, Boundary Layer Theory and Applications, Compressible Flow Fundamentals, Flow Through Pipes and Ducts |
| 22MTE13 | Advanced Heat Transfer | Core | 4 | Conduction Heat Transfer, Convection Heat Transfer, Radiation Heat Transfer, Phase Change Heat Transfer, Heat Exchangers Design and Analysis, Mass Transfer Principles |
| 22MTE14 | Numerical Methods in Thermal Engineering | Core | 4 | Introduction to Numerical Methods, Solution of Linear and Non-Linear Equations, Interpolation and Curve Fitting, Numerical Integration and Differentiation, Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations, Finite Difference Method for PDEs |
| 22MTE151 | Energy Engineering and Management (Professional Elective - I) | Professional Elective | 3 | Global and Indian Energy Scenario, Energy Conservation Principles, Energy Management and Audit, Renewable Energy Sources Overview, Waste Heat Recovery Systems, Energy Policies and Regulations |
| 22MTE16 | Research Methodology and IPR | Compulsory/Research Skill | 2 | Research Formulation and Problem Definition, Research Design and Methods, Data Collection and Analysis Techniques, Report Writing and Presentation, Intellectual Property Rights Overview, Patenting and Technology Transfer |
| 22MTE17 | Technical Seminar – 1 | Seminar | 1 | Literature Review Techniques, Technical Report Writing, Presentation Skills Development, Identification of Research Gaps, Ethics in Research |
| 22MTE18 | Advanced Thermal Engineering Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Heat Transfer Experimental Analysis, Fluid Mechanics Experimental Validation, Internal Combustion Engine Performance Testing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning System Tests, Combustion Analysis, Measurement Techniques in Thermal Systems |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22MTE21 | Advanced Power Plant Engineering | Core | 4 | Thermal Power Plants and Cycles, Nuclear Power Plant Design and Safety, Hydroelectric Power Generation, Diesel and Gas Turbine Power Plants, Cogeneration and Combined Cycles, Environmental Impact of Power Generation |
| 22MTE22 | Design of Thermal Systems | Core | 4 | Thermal System Modeling and Simulation, Optimization Techniques for Thermal Systems, Design of Heat Exchangers, Boiler and Condenser Design, Turbine and Compressor Design, Pumps and Piping System Design |
| 22MTE23 | Computational Fluid Dynamics | Core | 4 | Governing Equations of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer, Discretization Methods (FDM, FVM), Grid Generation Techniques, Solution Algorithms (SIMPLE, PISO), Turbulence Modeling, Applications of CFD in Thermal Engineering |
| 22MTE241 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Professional Elective - II) | Professional Elective | 3 | Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems, Vapor Absorption Refrigeration Systems, Psychrometry and Air Conditioning Processes, Air Conditioning System Design, Refrigerants and Environmental Impact, Cold Storage and Industrial Refrigeration |
| 22MTE251 | Energy Conservation in Thermal Systems (Professional Elective - III) | Professional Elective | 3 | Energy Audit Methodology, Waste Heat Recovery Technologies, Cogeneration and Trigeneration Systems, Insulation and Heat Loss Reduction, Energy Efficient Equipment Selection, Thermal Energy Storage |
| 22MTE26 | Technical Seminar – 2 | Seminar | 1 | Advanced Topic Presentation, Research Proposal Development, Literature Survey Tools and Databases, Critical Analysis of Research Papers, Effective Communication of Technical Ideas |
| 22MTE27 | Internship / Industrial Training (Component 1) | Internship | 2 | Industry Work Environment Exposure, Application of Theoretical Knowledge, Basic Project Implementation, Teamwork and Professional Communication, Industrial Best Practices |
| 22MTE28 | Advanced Computational Thermal Engineering Laboratory | Lab | 2 | CFD Software Applications (e.g., Ansys Fluent, OpenFOAM), Heat Transfer Simulation and Analysis, Fluid Flow Modeling and Visualization, Thermal System Optimization using Software Tools, Pre-processing and Post-processing Techniques, Validation of Simulation Results |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22MTE311 | Combustion Engineering (Professional Elective - IV) | Professional Elective | 3 | Combustion Chemistry and Kinetics, Thermodynamics of Combustion, Flame Propagation and Structure, Pollutant Formation and Control, Furnace and Burner Design, Combustion in Internal Combustion Engines |
| 22MTE32 | Project Work Phase – 1 | Project | 10 | Problem Identification and Scoping, Extensive Literature Review, Development of Research Methodology, Preliminary Data Collection/Analysis, Project Proposal Writing, Supervisor Consultation and Feedback |
| 22MTE33 | Internship / Industrial Training (Component 2) | Internship | 3 | In-depth Industry Project Execution, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Problem-Solving in a Real-World Context, Comprehensive Internship Report Writing, Presentation of Work to Industry Mentors, Networking with Industry Professionals |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22MTE41 | Project Work Phase – 2 (Dissertation) | Project | 16 | Advanced Research and Development, Experimental Validation or Simulation, Detailed Data Analysis and Interpretation, Thesis Writing and Documentation, Publication of Research Findings, Preparation for Viva Voce Examination |
| 22MTE42 | Technical Seminar - 3 | Seminar | 4 | Comprehensive Project Review, Dissertation Defense Preparation, Advanced Technical Communication, Presenting Complex Research Outcomes, Responding to Technical Queries, Professional Etiquette in Academic Presentations |
