Chemical Thermodynamics for Engineers

• Laws of thermodynamics: 1st, 2nd and 3rd laws of thermodynamics, internal energy, work, heat, heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energy
• Thermodynamics and phase equilibria in pure substances and binary mixtures, colligative properties, chemical potential, Henry's law, Raoult's law and phase diagrams
• Thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium, Gibbs energy
• Electrochemistry and electrolyte solutions: Electrolytes and conductivity, electrochemical cells, standard reduction potential, reference electrodes, cell potential, cell diagram, the Nernst equation. Selected practical applications of electrochemistry such as electrolysis, batteries, fuel cells, chemical analysis and corrosion protection.
• Reaction kinetics: rate laws, half-life, simple reaction mechanisms, rate-determining steps and catalysis.

The candidate:

• Has basic knowledge of thermodynamics and the laws of thermodynamics, can explain the meaning of key concepts and calculate values for quantities such as internal energy, work, heat, heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs' energy.
• Can do thermodynamic calculations for chemical reactions and equilibria, compare with calculations in relevant computer tools (eg HSC Chemistry), and explain the meaning of the values.
• Can apply Clapeyron's equation, Clausius-Clapeyron's equation, Raoult's law and Dalton's law in phase equilibrium calculations, and use phase diagrams to find relevant properties and quantities for pure substances and ideal mixtures
• Has basic knowledge of electrochemistry and electrolytes, can explain the meaning of key terms and calculate values for reduction potential and cell potential
• Knows and can explain selected practical applications of electrochemistry such as in corrosion protection, energy storage, material production, surface treatment and chemical analysis.
• Has an overview of important concepts in reaction kinetics and catalysis, can use simple rate laws and explain selected reaction mechanisms and their significance.
• Can prepare and carry out laboratory work within selected topics, process and discuss results, and document the work in writing.

Lectures, exercises and laboratory work.

Expected time spent:

• Lectures: 60 h
• Problem sets: 30 h
• Laboratory work: 30 h
• Self-study: 80 h
• Total: 200 h