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An introduction to concepts and principles in chemical and process thermodynamics. This course includes the 1st and 2nd Laws, equilibrium and reversibility, ideal gas process calculations and refrigeration and heat pump cycles.
Thermodynamics is a core subject for chemical and process engineering. Its principles are used in fluid mechanics, reaction engineering, heat and mass transfer, separation processes and process energy balances. This course emphasises the development of these general principles including the 1st and 2nd Laws and the application of these to energy balances. This course will also reinforce mathematical concepts (such as partial derivatives) by linking them to physical phenomenon related to thermodynamics. Topics include: Internal energy, heat, work, state functions and the 1st law of thermodynamics Properties of Ideal gases and PVT behaviour of fluids Application of partial derivatives and integral calculus to thermodynamics Reversibility and equilibrium Ideal gas processes Phase diagrams and the Phase rule Enthalpy and its use in energy balances including reactions and phase changes Thermodynamics of ideal mixtures Steam tables and others sources of thermodynamic data The 2nd Law, heat engines, Entropy and Gibbs energy
LO1 – Understand the concept of energy storage and energy transfer LO2 – Knowledge of the 1st Law of thermodynamics and its limits LO3 – Be capable in using and describing partial derivatives in thermodynamics LO4 – Able to perform ideal gas process calculations and understand the limits of application LO5 – Be able to describe reversibility and equilibrium LO6 – Understand phase diagrams, the phase rule and phase transition LO7 – Able to use and apply energy balances to complex systems LO8 – Understand reference states and be capable of obtaining thermodynamic data LO9 – Knowledge of the 2nd Law of thermodynamics and basic understanding of entropy and entropy changes LO10 – Capable of performing heat engine, refrigeration and steam turbine calculations The following table relates the IPENZ graduate competency profiles to the learning outcomes.
Subject to the approval of the Dean of Engineering and Forestry.
Three lectures per week + tutorials as necessary
Aaron Marshall
Students with concerns about the course should contact the course coordinator (Aaron Marshall), the 1st Pro Director of Studies (Ken Morison), or the Head of Department (Peter Gostomski).
Course Policy on Collaboration and CheatingSolving problems in small teams and collaborative learning when working on assignments is encouraged. However direct copying is plagiarism and will result in zero marks for all students involved. When assessment is distributed, you will be instructed whether the assessment is to be submitted for marking individually or as part of a pair/group. The assignments are mainly a tool to prepare you for the exams. The advice is to try them individually before collaborating in groups.
Course reader by Associate Professor Aaron Marshall – available on Learn.Smith, Van Ness and Abbott, "Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics" 7th edition (2005), McGraw-Hill (any newer/older edition is OK)
General Policies of the DepartmentStudents may obtain the general policies of the University on matters such as the special considerations applications, appeals procedures, reconsideration of grades and special provision for students with disabilities from the University Calendar. The Departmental assessment details are distributed to the students at the beginning of the year.
This course is a compulsory 1st Professional course and is a prerequisite for ENCH392. Attendance at all lectures is strongly recommended. A course reader is supplied but you should not assume this means you can miss lectures. Completion of all homework, assignments, quizzes, tests, and exam is required to pass the course (unless otherwise agreed in writing with the course coordinator prior to assessment due date).
Late submission will lose 25% grade, per day, over the due date.
Students may obtain the general policies of the University on matters such as the applications for special consideration, appeals procedures, reconsideration of grades and special provision for students with disabilities from the University Calendar.
See the course coordinator.
Domestic fee $975.00
International fee $5,500.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Chemical and Process Engineering .