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Unit of study_

CHNG9204: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

Chemical Engineering requires an understanding of material and energy transformations and how these are driven by molecular interactions. The rate of such transformations is dependent on driving forces and resistances, and these need to be defined in terms of fundamental physical and chemical properties of systems. This course seeks to provide students with a sound basis of the thermodynamics of chemical and biological systems, and how these, in turn, define limits of behaviour for such real systems. The thermodynamic basis for rate processes is explored, and the role of energy transfer processes in these highlighted, along with criteria for equilibrium and stability. Emphasis is placed on the prediction of physical properties of chemical and biological systems in terms of state variables. The course delivery mechanism is problem-based, and examples from thermal, chemical and biological processes will be considered, covering molecular to macro-systems scale. In addition, there will be considerable time spent during the semester on advanced topics related to the analysis of the behaviour of chemical and biological systems, and recent associated technological developments.

Code CHNG9204
Academic unit Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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CHNG2804 OR CHNG5704
Assumed knowledge:
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Calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods, computational tools (Matlab, Excel), basic mass and energy balances, heat transfer, mass transfer, momentum (from fluid mechanics), reaction balances

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. undertake a literature review and present the results in a scientific report and participate in workshops
  • LO2. Identify thermodynamic equipment and interpret data obtained from practical experimental work
  • LO3. estimate thermodynamic properties of non-reactive fluids by carrying out energy and entropy balances under steady and non-steady conditions
  • LO4. apply the concept of property interrelation of thermodynamic variables to predict state variables of chemical systems under ideal and non-ideal conditions
  • LO5. employ the concepts of mass, energy and entropy balance and property interrelations to predict state variables in turbine and refrigeration systems
  • LO6. perform thermodynamic calculations on motive power devices
  • LO7. characterise systems that include a mixture of phases and different component species using equilibrium principles in engineering thermodynamics.