Faculty of Engineering

The Thermal (Heat Transfer) Laboratory of the Mechanical Engineering Program at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) serves as a practical learning facility focused on heat transfer systems and thermodynamic applications in energy conversion, particularly steam power generation systems.

This laboratory features a scaled steam power plant setup, comprising essential components such as a pump, boiler, turbine, condenser, and connecting pipes. The system demonstrates the core principle of converting liquid water into steam, using its kinetic energy to rotate turbine blades, which then drive a generator to produce electricity.

Through this practicum, students are expected to:

1. Understand the working principle of a steam power generation system;

2. Recognize the key components used in steam installations;

3. Calculate the heat energy (Q) and work (W) in the boiler and steam turbine;

4. Analyze the overall efficiency of the steam power system.

This laboratory plays a crucial role in helping students apply heat transfer and thermodynamic theories in real-world scenarios and preparing them for careers in energy conversion and mechanical system design.