Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics - EGR 232 at Virginia Western Community College
https://courses.vccs.edu/colleges/vwcc/courses/EGR232-ChemicalEngineeringThermodynamics
Effective: 2024-05-01
Course Description
Introduces the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Examines energy conservation; concepts of equilibrium, temperature, energy, and entropy; partial molar properties; pure component and mixture equations of state; processes involving energy transfer as work and heat; reversibility and irreversibility; and closed and open systems and cyclic processes.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hour per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
This course prepares students for deeper study in the field of Chemical Engineering, exploring fundamental thermodynamics concepts essential in Chemical Engineering practice.
Course Prerequisites/Corequisites
Prerequisites: MTH 265 and EGR 231 (grade of C or higher in both of these courses)
Course Objectives
- Critical Thinking
- Critically analyze different thermodynamic processes to solve the energy inputs necessary for operation
- Quantitative Literacy
- Solve equations of state and phase equilibrium problems using appropriate math and computational techniques
- Scientific Literacy
- Apply basic thermodynamic principles via mass, energy and entropy balance equations to analyze open and closed systems and processes
Major Topics to be Included
- First Law of Thermodynamics - Energy Balances
- Define the types of energy (kinetic, potential, internal) and energy transfer (heat, work), formulate energy balances for closed and open systems, recognize the importance of reference states.
- Properties of Pure Substances - Equations of State
- Apply cubic equations of state, virial equations of state, and the Principle of Corresponding States to estimate properties of single component real fluids.
- Second Law of Thermodynamics - Entropy
- Calculate the entropy change for an ideal gas, apply the concept of irreversibility.
- Utilize Mollier diagrams to calculate the entropy change for real fluids.
- Apply entropy balances to determine thermodynamic feasibility of processes.
- Fundamental Thermodynamic Property Relationships
- Apply fundamental property relations, Maxwell relations, and mathematical operations (e.g., chain rule, triple product rule).
- Calculate desired property change between states using hypothetical paths.
- Define a departure function.
- Flow Processes, Power Plants, Refrigeration and Liquefaction Cycles
- Calculate for different working fluids the energy generated by power cycles, the energy required to operate refrigeration cycles, and the energy required to liquify gases with and without recycle.
- Phase Equilibria, Mixtures
- Predict behavior from liquid/vapor phase diagrams, calculate vapor-liquid equilibria for single component and two component mixtures.