Summary

Thermodynamics offers a theoretical framework for the quantification of energy-work interconversions and system equilibrium. The fundamental thermodynamic quantities are introduced in this chapter and the significances of these quantities explained. The importance of accuracy in the volumetric behavior of substances is described and illustrated using the van der Waals equation belonging to the family of EOSs that are cubic in the volume. Obtaining molar volume of a substance under given conditions of pressure and temperature using such cubic EOSs requires mastery of solution techniques for polynomial equations. The concept of equilibrium is also presented and demonstrated through a simple representative example. Advanced problems in chemical engineering thermodynamics may involve transcendental and more complicated equations that require techniques described elsewhere in the book.