Rudiments of thermodynamics

Duration

26h Th, 26h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Benoît Heinrichs

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course aims at presenting the rudiments of thermodynamics in relation with the different fields of engineering.
The course is centered on three main themes: fundamental principles, introduction to thermal engines and chemical thermodynamics. It covers the following topics:

• Basic notions
• Energy, heat, work - First principle: the conservation of energy
• Enthalpy
• Elementary processes
• Internal energy of reaction and enthalpy of reaction
• Work from heat: thermal engines - Second principle
• Second principle, entropy, third principle
• Entropy of reaction
• Gibbs free energy - Spontaneity and equilibrium criteria for a chemical reaction
• Chemical potential
• Phase transition and phase equilibrium - Phase diagrams

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• understand the basic notions of thermodynamics;
• master the first, second and third principles of thermodynamics;
• calculate energy exchanges associated with physical and chemical transformations of matter;
• predict the direction of those transformations and calculate corresponding equilibria.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Notions of chemistry, physics and mathematical analysis learned in the first year of bachelor in engineering sciences.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is a coherent set of theory lessons and interactive exercise sessions, each intimately combined with video clips.
The theory lessons and videos introduce new concepts that are illustrated with numerous examples.

The objective of the exercise sessions is to help students master the subjects by solving problems. Different types of activities are proposed during and in parallel with these sessions: the follow-up, prior to each session, of explanatory videos for solving the exercises with a summary of the associated theory, the solving of problems during the session by the students themselves with the help of the supervisors, the individual answers during the session to all the theory and exercise questions on the chapter in progress
Prior to the exams, question and answer sessions are organized. They are an additional opportunity to ask all useful questions on theoretical and practical subjects.
In addition, online tests are offered on eCampus to verify the acquisition of the material.
At the end of the semester, a theory lesson is held to review all the subjects.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning


Additional information:

Hybrid, see section "Planned learning activities and teaching methods"

Recommended or required readings

The theory course notes and slides, as well as the exercise booklet, are available at the AEES Course Center (CdC) and on eCampus.
Exercise resolutions, as well as the theory and exercise videos are available on eCampus.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Out-of-session test(s)


Additional information:

Two multiple-questions tests will be organized, either on eCampus, or face-to-face, one in the middle of the semester on the first principle of thermodynamics and the other at the end of the semester on the second principle. Each of these exams will account for 10% of the final grade.

The two tests are mandatory to pass the exam.

A written exam in January accounting for 80% of the final grade.

Written exam in August/September (second session) (100% of the final grade).

The exams consist of conceptual understanding and problem solving.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The course takes place in the first semester.
Theoretical lessons as well as exercise sessions take place in the amphitheater with all students.
During the exercise sessions, the students leave free rows between them, which allows the supervisors to circulate among them, to help them individually in solving the problems and to answer their questions (see "Learning activities and teaching methods").

Contacts

Prof. Benoît HEINRICHS Nanomaterials, Catalysis & Electrochemistry - NCE Department of Chemical Engineering University of Liège
Building B6a (office 0/10b) - Quartier Agora Allée du six Août 13 4000 Liège - Belgium
Phone: +32 4 366 35 05 e-mail: via course website on eCampus in myULiege
Secretary: Phone: 04 366 4426/3541

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online