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Unit of study_
CHNG2804: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
2025 unit information
This is a core unit within the curriculum. Chemical Engineering requires an understanding of material and energy transformations and how these are driven by molecular interactions. The rate of such transformations is dependent on driving forces and resistances, and these need to be defined in terms of fundamental physical and chemical properties of systems. This course seeks to provide students with a sound basis of the thermodynamics of chemical systems, and how these, in turn, define limits of behaviour for such real systems. The thermodynamic basis for rate processes is explored, and the role of energy transfer processes in these highlighted, along with criteria for equilibrium and stability. Emphasis is placed on the prediction of physical properties of chemicalsystems in terms of state variables. The course delivery mechanism is problem-based, and examples from thermal and chemical processes will be considered, covering molecular to macro-systems scale. The course builds naturally from the second year first semester course in heat and mass transfer, and prepares students fundamentally for the third year course in design of chemical and biological processes, which deals fundamentally with reaction/separation systems, and considers phase and chemical equilibria.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Engineering
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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CHNG1103 and (CHEM1101 or CHEM1111 or CHEM1901 or CHEM1911) |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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Calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods, computational tools (Matlab, Excel), basic mass and energy balances, heat transfer, mass transfer, momentum (from fluid mechanics), reaction balances |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate the ability to prepare a scientific report and deliver an oral presentation focused on an engineering process of your choice, incorporating the fundamental principles of thermodynamics.
- LO2. Estimate thermodynamic properties of non-reactive fluids by carrying out energy, entropy and exergy balances under steady, and non-steady conditions
- LO3. Apply the concept of property interrelation of thermodynamic variables to predict state variables of chemical systems under ideal, and non-ideal conditions
- LO4. Employ the concepts of mass, energy, and entropy balance, and property interrelations to predict state variables in turbine and refrigeration systems
- LO5. Characterise systems that include a mixture of phases and different component species using equilibrium principles in engineering thermodynamics.
- LO6. Conduct experiments to measure and interpret engineering properties and processes, applying thermodynamic principles to real-world systems.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
