A thermal engineer is a specialist who designs and builds systems that transfer heat or energy using thermodynamic knowledge. Because liquids and gases are frequently the media through which heat is transferred, these engineers must have a strong understanding of fluid dynamics. There are a variety of specialized fields within the field of thermal engineering. Thermal engineers can work with very small systems, like those found in electronics, or very large systems, like those found in buildings or vehicles. This engineer may also be expected to design or construct heat transfer systems that convert heat into or out of other forms of energy.
Designing heating and cooling systems is one of a thermal engineer’s most common responsibilities. Small systems, such as those found in computers or electronics, or large systems, such as those found in buildings or aircraft, are examples of these systems. Heat is frequently moved around the system using fluids or gases to maintain an optimal temperature.
A thermal engineer must have a solid understanding of thermodynamics, which is the study of how heat moves through a system. Heat is transferred in different ways different fluids, liquids, and solid materials. Engineers consider the various materials used when designing or building heat transfer systems. Experiments and simulations frequently provide these engineers with a wealth of information about how heat will flow through the final system.
A thermal engineer’s responsibilities can range from actual design and construction of these systems to more theoretical tasks. In thermodynamics, computer models and simulations are frequently used to predict how a system will respond to temperature changes, whether the changes are caused external sources or internal processes. In the development of complex systems, an engineer may be hired to provide analysis and advice.
A thermal engineer can also work with heat transfer to or from other types of energy. Heat, motion, electrical activity, and chemical change can all be transformed into one another, which can be beneficial or a problem that requires an engineer’s intervention. An engineer may devise methods to divert heat away from a machine’s mechanical components, ensuring that the heat generated the machine’s motion does not harm it. Electrical energy can also be generated a rise in a system’s temperature, which may need to be harnessed or countered depending on the system’s nature.