Irreversible Thermodynamics

Topics are the entropy production rates for bulk and surface systems, flux equations in systems with gradients in temperature, concentration and pressure and connected issues. Emphasis is made on transport across surfaces, in the absence of equilibrium. The basic premises of the theory is are discussed, and so is the coupling between interacting fluxes. Coupling coefficients can be large at interfaces. The theory is applied to examples according to the interests of the students, evaporation, electrochemistry, fuel cells.

After finishing the course, the student is expected to:
- Be able to explain the basic postulates in irreversible thermodynamics.
- Be able to derive the entropy production for a simple system with transport of heat, mass and charge.
- Define the energy efficiency of a process with transport of heat, mass and charge.
- Be able to propose equations of transport in agreement with the second law of thermodynamics.
- Understand when such equations are relevant in applications.
- Have written a project report on a typical process where this is relevant.
- Have presented the report for his peers.
- Use the theory to solve a new problem defined in collaboration with the supervisor.

The course is taught in English. Lectures (2 hours per week) and exercises (2 hours per week). The course is lectured partially together with TKJ4200. The course includes a project work related to the book Non-equilibrium thermodynamics of Heterogeneous Systems. Grading is based on the project report and an oral presentation of the work.