CHEN 623 Syllabus
Applications of Thermodynamics to Chemical Engineering (3 Credits)
Fall 2013
Instructor: Dr. Perla B. Balbuena
Office: Room 240 Jack E. Brown
Telephone: 979-845-3375
Email: balbuena@tamu.edu
Teaching Assistant: Martin A. Gomez-Osorio
Office: 401 JEB; Office hours: Mondays, 10-11am
Email: mago881127@neo.tamu.edu
Course Times: MWF 1:50-2:40pm; Location: 112 Jack E. Brown
Office Hours: Thursdays 2-3pm, or by appointment. Please email me anytime with questions.
Textbook: “Molecular Thermodynamics” by Donald A. McQuarrie and John D. Simon,
University Science Books, 1999.
Course Description: This course focuses on the theory and applications of classical
thermodynamics and gives an introduction to statistical thermodynamics. Traditional topics
covered in an undergraduate chemical engineering thermodynamics course will be briefly
reviewed, e.g., the first and second laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic properties, phase
equilibrium, and equations of state. Methods used to describe and predict phase equilibrium
involving all three states of matter will be covered (liquid activity coefficient models, solid-liquid
models, partition coefficients, etc.). Thermodynamic concepts will be applied to chemical
reaction equilibria. Statistical thermodynamics will be introduced with a focus on the concepts of
ensembles, applications to the ideal and imperfect gas phase, and relations to classical
thermodynamics.
Course Objectives: The goals of this course are to connect the principles, concepts, and
laws/postulates of classical and statistical thermodynamics to applications that require
quantitative knowledge of thermodynamic properties from a molecular to a macroscopic level.
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Prerequisites: CHEN 354 (undergraduate Thermodynamics course) or approval of instructor
Grading: The final grades will be determined on the basis of two mid-term examinations,
biweekly homework, and one final examination. The following weights will be used:
Homework
15 %
Mid-term Exams
40
Special Project
10
Final Exam
35
(Oct. 2 and Nov. 4)
100 %
All exams will be in class. Students are expected to adhere to the Aggie Honor Code at all times.
Grading scale:
100-85 A
84-70 B
69-55 C
54-40 D
40 and below F
Course Topics/Calendar
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14)
Energy Levels of Atoms and Molecules (Chapter 1, Week 1)
Introduction to Partition Functions (Chapter 3,Week 2)
Properties and Equations of State for Gases (Chapter 2, Week 3)
Partition Functions and Ideal Gases (Chapter 4, Week 4)
The First Law of Thermodynamics (Chapter 5,Week 5)
Review and 1st Exam
The Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics (Chapters 6 and 7, Weeks 6-7)
Helmholtz and Gibbs Free Energies (Chapter 8, Week 8)
Phase Equilibrium (Chapter 9, Week 9)
Liquid-Liquid Solutions (Chapter 10, Week 10)
Review and 2nd Exam (Week 11)
Solid-Liquid Solutions (Chapter 11,Week 12)
Chemical Equilibrium (Chapter 12, Week 13)
Special Topics and Projects (Week 14)
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Homework Policy: Discussions with the instructor, and teaching assistant of approaches to
solving homework problems are encouraged. While students are welcome to also discuss
problem solving strategies with each other, each student is expected to work independently in
arriving at and documenting his or her final solution to submit.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement
The following ADA Policy Statement (part of the Policy on Individual Disabling Conditions)
was submitted to the University Curriculum Committee by the Department of Student Life. The
policy statement was forwarded to the Faculty Senate for information. The Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil
rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that
all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable
accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an
accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with
Disabilities in Room B118 of Cain Hall or call 845-1637.
Academic Dishonesty
It is the responsibility of students and instructors to help maintain scholastic integrity at the
university by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty. Every act of academic
dishonesty deflates the value of the TAMU degree you hope to receive. All cases of academic
dishonesty will be reported to the Aggie Honor System Office, handled according to their
guidelines. The report may result in disciplinary action. If you are reported twice, you will most
likely be dismissed from the University.
Examples of scholastic dishonesty include: 1) acquiring answers for any assigned work or
examination from any unauthorized source, 2) observing the work of other students during any
examination, 3) providing answers for any assigned work or examination when not specifically
authorized to do so, 4) failing to credit sources used in a work product in an attempt to pass off
the work as ones's own, 5) attempting to receive credit for work performed by another, including
papers obtained in whole or in part from individuals or other sources, and 6) fabrication of
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information. For more information, see TAMU Student Rules, Part 1 on Academic Dishonesty,
and the library's web site on plagiarism complete with definitions and examples.
Know the Aggie Code of Honor.
Aggie Honor Code
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.”
Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a
commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning and to follow the
philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment
on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not
exclude any member of the Texas A&M University community from the requirements or the
processes of the Honor System. For additional information please visit:
www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/
On all course work, assignments, and examinations at Texas A&M University, the following
Honor Pledge shall be preprinted and signed by the student:
“On my honor, as an Aggie, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic
work.”
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