Systems, Properties & Basics
- Defining a System
- Defining Equilibrium
- Various Types of Temperature Scales
- Introduction to Pressure
- Energy Transfer by Heat
- Energy Transfer by Work
- Introduction to Efficiencies
Core chemical engineering · Years 2–3
Thermodynamics for chemical engineers
A comprehensive grounding in thermodynamic principles and cycles, covering energy, efficiency, the ideal gas law and the OTTO, Diesel, Brayton, Carnot and Rankine cycles.
- 31
- 34
- 13
- 6
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No card needed. Every lesson is open on every plan.
The subject
What Thermodynamics covers
This course covers a comprehensive range of thermodynamic principles and operations, equipping learners to solve a wide range of theoretical and industrial problems. The various forms of energy are explored alongside their interconnections, introducing thermodynamic cycles and examining the factors affecting energy transfer, conversion and efficiency. A detailed study of the OTTO, Diesel, Brayton, Carnot and Rankine cycles is undertaken, followed by exploration of ideal and non-ideal systems with reference to pressure-enthalpy and refrigeration systems. Learners come away able to relate the various forms of energy to an energy balance; detail the mechanisms and properties of reversible and irreversible systems with a firm grasp of the ideal gas law; understand the key gas cycles, their operating conditions and performance; take a critical approach to adjusting cycles for fixed parameters; and read and extrapolate information from pressure-enthalpy charts.
What you’ll be able to do
- Define a system as a quantity of matter chosen for study
- Define entropy as a measure of disorder within a system
- Define a process as a change between equilibrium states
- Define a steam power cycle using water as working fluid
- Explain the thermodynamic cycle underlying heat pumps and refrigerators
- Define density as the degree of compactness of a substance
The lessons
Every lesson, theme by theme
31 lessons in 6 themes, pitched at Years 2–3. Your year decides what comes first, never what you can open.
Entropy & the Second Law
- Introduction to Entropy
- Isentropic Process of Ideal Gases
Gas Power Cycles
- Introduction to Process Cycles
- Introduction to Gas Cycles
- The OTTO Cycle
- The Broyton Cycle
Steam & Rankine Cycles
- Introduction to Steam Cycles
- The Carnot Cycle
- Ideal Rankine Cycle
- Ideal Rankine Cycle with Superheat
- Regenerative Thermodynamic Cycle
- Nuclear Power Plant
Refrigeration & Heat Pumps
- Introduction to Refrigeration & Heat Pumps
- Introduction to Refrigeration Cycles
- Properties of Refrigerants
- How to use a Presure-Enthalpy Chart
- What is The Coefficient of Performance COP
More in Thermodynamics
- Density & Specific Gravity
- Introduction to Steady Flow
- Defining Different Types of Energy
- Energy Balance
- Reverssible & Irreversible Processes
- The Ideal Gas Law
- THe Diesel Engine Cycle
Before you start
What it builds on
How you’ll learn it
Thermodynamics, at your pace
Video lessons
31 lessons and 34 videos, each with what you’ll be able to do by the end.
Practice, marked as you go
13 practice questions, marked the moment you answer, with hints when you’re stuck. Step-by-step worked solutions come with Core.
CERA, when it doesn’t click
Ask CERA to explain any idea in Thermodynamics another way, or to test you on it. Every day, on every plan.
Keep exploring
See every subjectFluid Dynamics
A study of the properties and behaviour of fluids, covering fluid statics and dynamics, laminar and turbulent flow regimes, and Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid modelling.
Dimensional Analysis
An introduction to dimensional analysis, covering fundamental dimensions, dimensionless groups and the Buckingham Pi method.
Heat Transfer
A comprehensive heat transfer course spanning conduction, convection and radiation, Nusselt analysis, pinch technology heat integration, nodal networks and thermal food systems.
Mass Transfer
A course on mass transfer, covering diffusion mechanisms, humidity, diffusivity prediction, convective transfer and cooling tower design.
Ready when you are
Build a plan around exactly where you’re stuck
Tell us where you are and get a pathway with your first lesson, your first practice set and a weekly study target. You won’t need an account until you want to keep it.