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 composed of theory sessions and interactive exercises sessions. Those sessions are complementary.
Theory sessions introduce new concepts which are illustrated with numerous examples.
The aim of exercises sessions is to lead students to master the subject through problems solving. Different types of activities are offered during these sessions: board solving of exercises proposed to the students in advance via eCampus, board solving of new exercises and problem solving by the students themselves with the help of the supervisors.
At the end of the semester, a questions ans answers session is organized. It brings the opportunity for students to asks all useful questions related to theory and exercises for the January exam.

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

Face-to-face

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

If the health situation requires it, the course is given remotely via the eCampus platform where all the necessary information is available.
Podcasts of the theory classes and workout sessions are loaded progressively each week so that they can be followed according to the schedule.
To facilitate the structure of the study, a dashboard indicates which podcasts are to be viewed each week.
Live explanations and question and answer sessions on Collaborate are organized each week in the course time slot and at different times for theory and exercises. The entire teaching team participates so that all questions can be answered individually.
Parallel to these sessions, the forum is permanently open to allow students to ask their questions at any time.
Tests are maintained and organized via eCampus.
Depending on the health situation, exams can be organized remotely via eCampus.

Recommended or required readings

Notes and slides related to lectures and exercises sessions are distributed by the AEES students organization. They are also available on eCampus.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

- Remote

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

Two quizzes will be organized: one at the end of October on the first principle of thermodynamics and the other in early December on the second principle. Each of these quizzes will account for 10% of the final grade.
Both quizzes are mandatory to access the exam.
A written exam in January will account for 80% of the final grade.
A written exam in August/September (second session) (100% of the final grade).
The exams consist in understanding concepts and problem solving.
Depending on the health situation, examinations and queries can be organized remotely. See section "Organizational adaptations related to the health context".

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

First quadrimestre.
Lectures and exercises sessions, for all students, on Mondays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Palais des Congrès, salle Elisabeth (500 seats).

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 myULg
Secretary: Phone: 04 366 4426/3541

Items online