University of Louisville

Department of Chemical Engineering

CHE 610 – Advanced Thermodynamics – Fall 2010
MW: 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
EH 215

Teaching Staff
Dr. Gerold A. Willing, EH 302, 852-7860, gerold.willing@louisville.edu
Office Hours: TR 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, EH 302
Grading
3 Exams in class and closed book at 150 points each 450 points
Homework and Participation 150 points
Project/Paper 150 points
TOTAL 750 points

In general, grading will be on a scale of A+ = 713 points; A = 675 points; A- = 653 points; B+ =
623 points; B = 600 points; B- = 578 points; C+ = 548 points; C = 525 points; C- = 503 points;
D+ = 473 points; D = 450 points and F < 450 points, although the instructor reserve the right to
vary this if warranted. There will be no D- grades as anything less than 60% is unsatisfactory.
Text
Molecular Thermodynamics of Fluid-Phase Equilibria, 3rd Ed., John M. Prausnitz, Rudinger N.
Lichtenthaler and Edmundo Gomes de Azevedo, Prentice Hall, 1999
Reference Texts
The Colloidal Domain: Where Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Technology Meet, 2nd Ed.,
Fennell Evans and Hakan Wennerstrom, Wiley-VCH, 1999.
Intermolecular and Surface Forces, Jacob N Israelachvili, Academic Press London, 1991
Goals
This course is designed to expand upon the concepts of classical thermodynamics by introducing
molecular thermodynamics which relies on the application of molecular chemistry and physics to
define the thermophysical properties of a system. Open discussion, mathematical analysis and
direct observation will form the primary means of explaining the material. At times, in class
group activities will be utilized to emphasize important concepts.
Topics Covered
Classical Thermodynamics
Fugacities of Pure Components
Intermolecular Forces
Corresponding States
Virial Equations of State
Fugacities of Liquid Mixtures
Thermodynamics of Polymer Solutions
Solubilities of Gases in Liquids
Solubilities of Solids in Liquids
Homework:
Homework will be given on a chapter by chapter basis. Typically you will have one week to
complete an assignment. Homework is due by the end of class on the due date. Any homework
turned in up by 5 pm the following day will be graded at a 50% penalty. Homework received
after this time will not be graded.
Exams
Exams will be given three times during the course of the semester. Each of these exams will
cover a specific section of the course material, as designated by the syllabus. After each exam,
students will have two weeks from the time the exam is returned to ask questions, make
comments or ask for a re-grading of that specific exam.
Exams will typically be evenly split between conceptual questions and quantitative analysis and
will be graded on a partial credit basis. As such, each student should provide enough information
to demonstrate a depth of knowledge on the particular subject. For quantitative questions, this
means that students should outline the process for solving the problem clearly prior to completing
the full analysis.
Make-up Exams
Through the course of the semester, events may happen that prevent a student from taking an
exam. Should this happen without a medically excused absence, the student will be allowed to
make-up ONE exam. The makeup exam will be given at the scheduled final exam time (Dec 13
at 11:30 am) and will be comprehensive.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty is clearly defined in Section 2 of “The Code of Student Rights and
Responsibilities,” in the U of L Undergraduate Catalog which can be found at
http://louisville.edu/dos/policies-and-procedures/code-of-student-rights-and-responsibilities.html.
Plagiarism is defined in subsection E of Section 5, “Academic Dishonesty.” Speed School’s
formal disciplinary procedure for handling academic dishonesty may be found on the Speed
School website.
All students should be familiar with “The Code of Student Conduct,” located at
http://louisville.edu/dos/policies-and-procedures/code-of-student-conduct.html. Be particularly
aware of item 7.i, which clearly defines the term “Discriminatory Harassment.”
Lecture and Exam Schedule (subject to change)
Definition of Thermodynamics (Chapter 1) Week 1
Classical Thermodynamics (Chapter 2) Week 1-2
Fugacities of Pure Components (Chapter 3) Week 3
Intermolecular Forces (Chapter 4) Week 4-5
Corresponding States (Chapter 4) Week 6
Exam #1 9/29 (Chapters 1-4)
Fugacities in Gas Mixtures (Chapter 5) Week 7-8
Fugacities in Liquid Mixtures (Chapter 6) Week 9
Fugacities in Liquid Mixtures, pt. 2 (Chapter 7) Week 10
Exam #2 11/03 (Ch 5-7)
Thermodynamics of Polymer Solutions (Chapter 8) Week 13
Solubilities of Gases in Liquids (Chapter 10) Week 14
Solubilities of Solids in Liquids (Chapter 11) Week 15
Exam #3 12/06 (Ch 8, 10-11)
Project Due Date 12/13 at 5 pm