The second mode, which can be described as progressive, is aimed at undergraduate students or working professionals who are not particularly motivated by theoretical aspects, while still being able to follow them if necessary.

Structure:

It starts with the light presentation, which is then gradually enriched by introducing an approach to improving cycles based qualitatively on comparison with the Carnot cycle in the entropy diagram and quantitatively on exergy balances.

Underlying pedagogical principles:

• Spiral progression in which concepts are revisited at increasing levels of complexity

• Alternation between visual and quantitative approaches

• Progressive implementation of modelling projects of increasing difficulty

• Regular feedback through self‑assessment

Context of use:

This mode typically corresponds to the approch presented in the second edition of the book Energy Systems: A New Approach to Engineering Thermodynamics published in the third quarter of 2021.

The versions of Thermoptim most commonly used for this mode are versions 2.5 and 2.6 for the exergy balances.