About this Course

  • Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics is primarily concerned with the application of thermodynamics to phase equilibria and reaction equilibria in multicomponent systems (this aspect will be covered in Thermo II).
  • Of secondary importance in this context is the application of Thermodynamics to heat-to-work and work-to-heat conversion devices (this aspect will be covered in Thermo I). These applications are studied in greater detail by Mechanical Engineers.
  • Chemical engineers are concerned with the calculation of work in separation and mixing processes.
  • Phase and reaction equilibria involving two or more solid phases are of primary interest to Metallurgists.
  • Thermodynamics plays a supervisory and often intangible role in engineering. 
    • Its applications are obvious in the design of Chemical engineering equipment in processes in which approach to equilibrium is nearly one hundred percent in practice.
    • Even in those cases where the processes are governed by rate considerations, thermodynamics sets the boundaries of design.