Course content

Chemical engineering thermodynamics forms one of the basic pillars for understanding chemical engineering process. In this course, we build on basic principles and learning objectives from subjects such as basic thermodynamics and process engineering. The syllabus is based on updated international standards and it will enable the students to calculate thermodynamics properties of ideal and non-ideal pure component systems as well as mixtures. Furthermore, the students will learn to calculate phase and chemical equilibria. The attained knowledge will help the students to model and simulate existing industrial processes as well as analyzing novel solutions in research and technology development. This competence is needed in order to develop and implement new and possibly more complex technologies, which are necessary in order to achieve future sustainable industry development.

Learning outcome

After completion of the course, the students should be able to: • Understand and apply basic thermodynamic concepts. • Select and apply suitable thermodynamic models. • Calculate thermodynamic properties of components and mixtures, in ideal and non-ideal systems. • Use standard chemical potential, fugacity and activity in practical calculations. • Explain the limitations and assumptions in presented thermodynamic models. • Calculate simple phase equilibria and phase equilibria in multi-component systems. • Calculate simple reaction equilibria. The student should also understand: • Application of thermodynamic models and methods in chemical engineering operation and process analysis • Properties, strengths and weaknesses of different thermodynamic models.

Learning methods and activities

4 hours per week of class-room lectures and 2 hours per week with scheduled exercises. 80% out of total number of exercises must be approved in order to get access to the final exam.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Physical chemistry and elementary thermodynamics, chemical process technology, kinetic gas theory, differential calculus, and abstract linear algebra at the undergraduate university level.

Course materials

Elliot & Lira: Introductory Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics