THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Engineering : Chemical

Undergraduate Course: Thermodynamics and Unit Operations 3 (CHEE09017)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Engineering CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThermodynamics covers the concepts of Gibbs Free Energy and chemical potential and their relationship to both phase equilibrium and chemical reaction equilibrium in heterogeneous systems and multiple simultaneous reactions. Mixing rules for Equations of State (EoS) are introduced as well as calculation of vapour pressure from EoS.

In the Unit Operations part, simplified binary distillation processes are extended to the most general multi component case. Efficient short cut methods are explored and the principles behind accurate numerical solution procedures for multi component absorption, stripping and distillation processes are introduced; rate-based mass transfer operations for packed columns in application to absorption and stripping are considered and finally basic design principles of adsorption, humidification and drying processes are summarised.

Thermodynamics and unit operations are coordinated to deliver appropriate thermodynamics learning to inform unit operations topics
Course description For clarity Unit Operations and Thermodynamics topics are presented separately, actual delivery may not follow this pattern.

Thermodynamics Topics:

1.Statement of the VLE problem. The Gibbs phase rule. Definition of the Chemical Potential -m. Extensive vs intensive thermodynamic properties. Euler's theorem of homogeneous functions. Partial molar quantities.
2.Clausius-Clapeyron equation. V-L curve. V-S curve. L-S curve. Interpolation of vapour pressure data. Prediction of vapour and sublimation pressures from C-C equation. Chemical potential of a mixture. Fugacity and fugacity
coefficients. Composition dependence of the chemical potential. Ideal mixtures. Activity and activity coefficients.
3.Fugacity of a component in a liquid mixture. Pressure dependence of the chemical potential. Poynting correction factor. Fundamental VLE equation: g-f and f-f approach. Simplified versions of the g-f approach. Vapour pressure equations. Excess Gibbs energy and activitycoefficients. T vs x,y and P vs x,y diagrams -positive and negative deviations.
4. Dew point and bubble point calculation. Calculation of binary T vs x,y, P vs x,y and y vs x plots. Example VLE with azeotrope. Isothermal flash calculation. Example of a binary flash. Gibbs-Duhem equation. Thermodynamic consistency of VLE data. Partial pressures from total pressure data. Example of ethanol-water isothermal data. Gas-liquid equilibrium. Relationship between symmetric and a-symmetric activity coefficients. Liquid-liquid equilibrium. Solid-liquid equilibrium.
5. Sources of thermodynamic data. Two and three parameter law of corresponding states. Prediction of critical constants and acentric factor: Joback and Ambrose methods. Prediction of vapour pressure.
6. Equations of State (EOS). Cubic equations of state (EOS). Parameters from critical constants. Helmholtz free energy (A). Calculation of vapour pressures from EOS. Residual functions and thermodynamic properties from A. Lee and Kesler EOS and tables. Example of L-K and SRK.
7. Mixing rules for EOS. Michelsen-Kistenmacher syndrome. Fugacity coefficients from EOS. Advanced mixing rules for cubic EOS. Properties of EOS at infinite pressure. Sample calculation of VLE using EOS.
8. Thermodynamic models in Aspen/UniSim. Things to watch for in using computer codes Styrene-ethylbenzene example. Thermoworkbench examples. GCEOS.
9. Chemical reaction equilibria. Extent of reaction. Heat of reaction. Equilibrium constant and its temperature dependence. Reference states in common applications. Multiple chemical reactions -reactors in series and Lagrange multipliers.

Unit Operations Topics:

1. Introduction to Unit Operations; Equilibrium stage operations; Thermodynamics of distillation
2.Binary distillations review
3.Multicomponent Distillation: Short Cut Methods
4.Mass transport theories review
5.Packed bed columns
6.Humidification:Principles and methods
7.Drying: Principles and methods
8.Adsorption: Principles and methods
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Apply the phase rule to determine degrees of freedom and show how these may be satisfied.
  2. Describe the significance of Chemical Potential in mixtures and understand phase equilibria formulations. Ability to solve vapour liquid equilibrium of non ideal mixtures.
  3. Understanding of simultaneous reactions at equilibrium.
  4. Apply the principles of mass, heat transfer and thermodynamics to analyze and synthesize chemical engineering processes.
  5. Use short cut and graphical methods in design of multicomponent distillation, absorption, stripping and other processes. Analyze critically advantages and disadvantages of various design options and parameters (stage vs. packed columns)
Reading List
1. Warren L. McCabe, Julian C. Smith and Peter Harriot, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, (Fifth Edition). McGrawHill, 1993.
2. Robert E. Treybal, Mass Transfer Operations (McGraw-Hill Classic Textbook Reissue Series).
3. J.D. Seader and Ernest J. Henley, Separation Process Principles, John Wiley & Sons, 1998.
4. Coulson and Richardson, Chemical Engineering Vol 6, Ed. by R.K. Sinnott, 3rd Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999.
5. M. S. Shell, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. New York: Cambridge University Press (2015)
6. A. Z. Panagiotopoulos, Essential Thermodynamics. Princeton, NJ: Drios Press (2011)
7. Poling B., Prausnitz J.M. & O'Connell J.P., The Properties of Gases and Liquids, 5th Ed., 2000. McGraw-Hill.
8. Perry R.H. and Green D.W., Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook. 7th Ed., 1997. McGraw-Hill
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsThermodynamics,Equilibrium,Separation
Contacts
Course organiserDr Simone Dimartino
Tel: (0131 6)50 5598
Email: Simone.Dimartino@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Mark Owenson
Tel: (0131 6)50 5533
Email: Mark.Owenson@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information