ChE 531:  Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (Edwards, fall semester)

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course objectives

1.)  review of undergraduate chemical engineering thermodynamics

2.)  discussion of the phase equilibrium problem, how to apply thermodynamics to it

3.)  Homogeneous systems, heterogeneous systems, Gibbs-Duhem equation, phase rule chemical potential, fugacity and activity, Raoul’t law, Henry’s law

4.)  Thermodynamic properties with independent variables P and T, same with independent variables T and V, fugacities of mixture components, fugacities of pure liquids and solids, fugacities according to the van der Waals EOS, phase equilibria from volumetric properties

5.)  intermolecular forces, potential energy functions, electrostatic forces, polarizability and induced dipoles, intermolecular forces between nonpolar molecules, Mie’s potential energy function for nonpolar molecules, structural effects, chemical forces, hydrogen bonds, complexes, hydrophobic interactions, corresponding states theory

6.)  statistical thermodynamics, microcanonical ensemble, canonical ensemble, grand canoncical ensemble, microscopic interpretation of thermodynamic quantities, determination of microscopic quantities using molecular models.

7.) fugacities in gas mixtures, Lewis fugacity rule, fugacities from the Virial equation, calculation of Virial coefficients from potential functions, Virial coefficients from corresponding states correlations, fugacities at high densities.

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project description

Objective:  To learn how to identify, investigate, and solve advanced problems in chemical engineering thermodynamics.

Step 1:  Choose a topic.  You must identify an interesting thermodynamics problem that you believe you can resolve. 

Procedure:  A one-page synopsis of your problem is required, stating what the problem is, why it is important, and how you are going to solve it.

Deadline:  This one page synopsis is due on October 9.  On this date, normal class lecture will be replaced by a series of 5-10 minute meetings with each student.  Each student will be required to present the one-page synopsis, and to defend its merits.

Step 2:  Solve the problem.  During the semester, you must work on solving your project.  October 14 is a day set aside for all students to meet with each other to discuss their projects.

Step 3:  Write a report on your project solution.  A five-page (minimum) report is required on the results and conclusions of your project.  What did you learn?  Why are the results of your analysis important?

Deadline:  November 26, 2003

Step 4:  Give a ten to fifteen minute presentation of your project.  Each student will be required to present orally a defense of his project, followed by a question and answer session.

Dates:  December 2.  The order of presentations will be chosen at random.  All presentations must be in PowerPoint.  All PowerPoint presentations are due on December 1.

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sample syllabus (from Fall, 2003)

Chemical Engineering 531:  Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (3)

Instructor:  Brian Edwards (974-9596, 320 Dougherty Engineering Building, bjedwards@chem.engr.utk.edu)

Course Mailing List:  che531@chem.engr.utk.edu

Office hours:  Walk in, or by appointment.

Textbook:     Molecular Thermodynamics of Fluid-Phase Equilibria, 3^rd edition, by J.M. Prausnitz, R.N. Lichtenthaler, and E.G. de Azevedo

Location:  429 Dougherty Engineering Building

Time:  2:10 – 3:25 P.M., Tuesday and Thursday

Final class:  Thursday, December 2

Grading:       Homework:  100 pts.

                        Exam 1:       100 pts.

                        Exam 2:       100 pts.

                        Project:         200 pts.

                        Final exam:  200 pts.

Exam 1:  Thursday, October 2

Project Declarations:  Thursday, October 9

Project Day:  Tuesday, October 14

Exam 2:  Tuesday, November 11

Project Due:  Wednesday, November 26

PowerPoint Presentations Due:  December 1

No class:  Thursday, October 16 and Thursday, November 27

Project presentations:  Tuesday, December 2

Final exam:  5:00 – 7:00 P.M., Thursday, December 4