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Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (CHEN90007)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Gabriel da Silva
Email: gdasilva@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
This subject comprehensively covers the thermodynamics of chemical and physical systems of relevance to chemical engineers.
The laws of thermodynamics, which govern energy and the direction of energy flow, are amongst the most important fundamentals of chemical engineering that students learn during their course. This subject revises and expands the students’ understanding of the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics, from both classical and statistical perspectives. Students learn about the concepts of entropy and equilibrium in detail, which form the basis for the topics of phase equilibrium, mixture properties, mixture equilibrium, reaction equilibrium and interfacial equilibrium.
The concepts covered by this subject provide the fundamental basis for chemical and process engineering and are utilised throughout all sectors of industry by engineers. This subject provides students with the ability to perform detailed calculations of complex systems to predict the performance of process unit operations, to aid in their design and operation.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This subject focuses on the definitions and applications of the laws of thermodynamics, especially the implications of entropy and equilibrium on phases, mixtures, chemical reactions and interfaces:
- First law of thermodynamics.
- Second law of thermodynamics and entropy.
- Phase equilibria of pure substances, including fugacity.
- Mixtures and phase equilibria of mixtures, including activity coefficients and vapour-liquid equilibrium.
- Chemical reactions and reaction equilibria.
- Interfacial thermodynamics.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Apply the laws of thermodynamics to closed and open systems including thermodynamic cycles
- Identify the different rate controlling mechanisms in reactor design
- Design key aspects of heterogeneous reacting systems and in particular, catalytic reactor systems
- Apply a range of approaches to estimate fluid phase equilibria in one and two component systems
- Estimate the physical properties of mixtures, especially non-ideal mixtures
- Predict the equilibria of chemical reactions.
Generic skills
During this subject the student will practice the ability to:
- Provide in-depth technical competence in engineering fundamentals
- Undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
- Utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEN20011 | Chemical Process Analysis | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
or Entry into the 200pt Master of Engineering (Chemical, Biochemical or Chemical with Business)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Weekly online quizzes = Assessment = 10 x 1% = 10%" | From Week 2 to Week 11 | 10% |
One hour written mid-semester test
| Week 7 | 10% |
One written team assignment not exceeding 1000 words per team member
| Week 9 | 10% |
One three-hour written closed book examination
| During the examination period | 70% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Gabriel da Silva Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 1 x 2-hour + 2 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Gabriel da Silva
Email: gdasilva@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated 200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Sandler, S.I., 2006,Chemical, Biochemical, and Engineering Thermodynamics, 4th Edition
Levenspiel, O., 1999,Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd Edition, Wiley
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject is delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorials. The tutorials include aspects of student-centred learning. Regular online quizzes are used to assist student progress and understanding. Students also complete an assignment which reinforces the material covered in lectures.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Students have online access to lecture slides and lecture recordings through the subject LMS site. The site also contains tutorials and worked solutions for tutorials and past exams.
The key texts for the subject are:
- Sandler, S.I., 2006,Chemical, Biochemical, and Engineering Thermodynamics, 4th Edition,
- Levenspiel, O., 1999,Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd Edition, Wiley
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
The skills and knowledge learnt in this subject are crucial to the understanding of chemical engineering and the careers of chemical engineers. They provide the basis for solving problems of interest in nearly all industries, including petrochemical, mining and minerals processing, energy generation and pharmaceuticals, to name a few.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Ph.D.- Engineering Specialisation (formal) Biochemical Specialisation (formal) Chemical with Business Specialisation (formal) Chemical - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022