Hydro-turbomachines and thermal turbomachines

Turbomachinery refers to systems that transfer energy between a rotor and a fluid, such as turbines and compressors. Turbines transfer energy from a fluid to a rotor, while a compressor does the opposite, transferring energy from a rotor to a fluid. Centrifugal pumps transfer energy from a rotor to a fluid, which is usually a liquid, while turbines and compressors usually deal with gasses.

A thermal engineer working with turbomachines may be involved in the following systems:

• Power generation:Turbomachines such as hydro electric, steam turbines, gas turbines and windmills
• Marine: Turbomachinery including the steam turbine, gas turbines, and water jet drives
• Auto: Turbocharger and supercharger turbomachinery
• General: Turbomachines may include pumps, air compressors, and fans
• Aerospace: Turbomachinery such as gas turbines and turbopumps

Both hydro-turbomachines and thermal turbomachines are subdivisions of the field of thermal engineering.

Internal combustion engines

Internal combustion engines, or I.C. engines, are machines where the combustion of fuel occurs and the heat energy that is generated is converted into mechanical power. Engineers focusing on this specialization may work on the scale effect of fuel spray, the details of fuel mixture formation, the laws of heat release, the study of heat transfer phenomena, and thermal efficiency and engine size.

Individuals studying thermal engineering with an interest in one of these specializations can target their classes and take a skill-driven approach to their courses for their future professional life within the individual branch.