ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 1 Expository Class: 39 Interactive Classroom: 15 Total: 55
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Chemistry Engineering
Areas: Chemical Engineering
Center Higher Technical Engineering School
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
The objective is to understand and acquire knowledge related to the transformation of heat into work and vice versa, based on the approach to ideal and real systems behavior and balances, and on the evaluation of different irreversible thermodynamic properties. This will allow for a deeper understanding of the fields of Thermodynamics applied to Chemical Engineering. This is eminently practical and aimed at the evaluation of properties necessary for the calculation and design of equipment in industrial plants. Furthermore, the course aims to introduce students to the thermodynamics of solutions and the applications of phase equilibrium, particularly to liquid-vapor equilibrium and the equilibrium of mixtures of reactive systems. This content is essential for various subjects in subsequent semesters of the Chemical Engineering Degree.
The goal is for students to acquire basic training and criteria for understanding the applied aspects of Thermodynamics, skill in thermodynamic calculations, and at the same time, to become aware of the complexity of the work-heat relationship. Furthermore, students must have acquired the knowledge of Physics subjects from previous semesters, as the current course requires this knowledge to develop both review and calculation skills in problem-solving in the first classes.
From the beginning of the course, it is essential to possess skill and dexterity in using programmable calculators to perform calculations for problems that involve extensive length and/or certain techniques (iterative calculations, for example). Likewise, students are required to have basic knowledge of Excel applications to achieve familiarity and skill in this subject and in their future academic and professional practice.
1. Basic concepts. Thermodynamic systems. Principles of thermodynamics.
2. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances. P-V-T surfaces. Equation of state for ideal and non-ideal gases. Incompressible substances.
3. Energy analysis and control volumes. Thermodynamics of flow processes. 4. Second Law of Thermodynamics. Entropy. Exergy.
5. Thermodynamics of Nonreactive Mixtures. Chemical Potential. Fugacity. Excess Properties.
6. Heterogeneous Systems. Phase Equilibrium: Liquid-Vapor, Liquid-Liquid, Solid-Liquid. Air-Water Interaction.
7. Thermodynamics of Reactive Systems. Energy Analysis, Equilibrium, and Considerations of the Second Law.
These topics will be explained through 39 hours of lectures on the theoretical content of the subject, 13 hours of interactive seminar sessions focused on problem-solving, and 2 hours of interactive computer lab sessions where students will practice in a simulator with different thermodynamic models to estimate phase equilibria.
The small group tutoring session (1 hour) will be used to solve and self-correct a short conceptual question test on the virtual campus. This test will be available well in advance for self-completion via the virtual campus.
Basic:
SMITH, J. M., VAN NESS, H. C., and ABBOTT, M. M. Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics. Mexico City, Mexico: McGraw-Hill, 2007. ISBN: 9789701061473. Call number: A041 1
WARK, K., and RICHARDS, D. E. Thermodynamics. Mexico City, Mexico: McGraw-Hill, 2003. ISBN: 84-481-2829. Call number: A040 14 and electronic resource
Supplementary:
MORAN, M. J., and SHAPIRO, H. N. Fundamentals of Technical Thermodynamics. Barcelona, Reverté, 2019, ISBB: 978-84-291-4379-9. Signature: A040 13
ÇENGEL, Y. A. and BOLES, M. A. Thermodynamics. Madrid, McGraw-Hill, 2015. ISBN: 978-607-15-1281-9. Signature: A041 4
SEGURA, J. Technical Thermodynamics. J. Barcelona, Reverté, 1993. ISBN: 84-291-4352-1. Signature: A042 12
This will be supplemented with material prepared by the teacher.
Knowledge or content
Con01: Understanding and mastery of the basic concepts of the general laws of mechanics, thermodynamics, fields and waves, and electromagnetism, and their application to solving engineering problems. Con05: Basic knowledge and principles of applied thermodynamics or heat transfer and their application to solving engineering problems.
Skills or abilities
H/D05: Ability to apply knowledge in practice.
H/D07: Independent learning.
Competencies
Comp08: Ability to solve problems with initiative, decision-making, creativity, critical reasoning, and to communicate and transmit knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of Industrial Engineering.
The methodology related to the lecture sessions will consist of providing students with adequate information on the material developed by the professor through the virtual campus. Students will need to use this material during their personal work time to prepare for the lecture sessions. This allows for more agile theoretical classes. The professor will explain (in lecture classes) the basic concepts and develop them into practical applications, using a whiteboard and/or spreadsheet, as appropriate for reinforcing the theoretical concepts.
In the problem-based classes (interactive classes), the methodology is based on students' prior independent work to solve problems and thus explain the difficulties they have encountered. Thus, the pace and pacing of the class will be determined by student performance. If necessary, the seminar will be conducted at a slower pace to provide a detailed and rigorous explanation of the more complex aspects for practical application in the problems. Students will be thoroughly answered to establish a student-teacher dynamic that allows for the acquisition of knowledge and training. Students should leave each problem class with sufficient skills to confidently tackle other similar problems independently. Spreadsheets will be used to solve some of the course's problems, creating templates that can be used for other similar problems. The seminar sessions will be held approximately one week after the corresponding content is explained in the lectures.
Additionally, a computer lab session using the Aspen Hysys simulator will be held to familiarize students with thermodynamic models and the importance of making appropriate choices, using examples related to the course. A case study presented in this interactive session will be submitted individually via the virtual campus. Throughout the semester, lectures will include four short tests (10-15 minutes) consisting of four or five short questions. These tests will be announced one week before the test. These tests will be used for continuous assessment.
A technical visit will be conducted in coordination with other second-year subjects to a facility where the operation of thermodynamic equipment can be observed.
Approximate distribution of training activities
Week 1. Exp (4h) corresponding to Topic 1.
Week 2. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 2 + Sem 1 (1h)
Week 3. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topics 2 and 3 + Sem 2 (1h)
Week 4. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 3
Week 5. Exp (2h) corresponding to Topics 3 and 4 + Sem 3 (1h)
Week 6. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 4 + Sem 4 (1h)
Week 7. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 4 + Sem 5 (1h)
Week 8. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 5 + Sem 6 (1h)
Week 9. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 5 + Sem 7 (1h)
Week 10. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 6 + Sem 8 (1h)
Week 11. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 6 + Sem 9 (1h)
Week 12. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 7 + Sem 10 (1h)
Week 13. Exp (3h) corresponding to Topic 7 + Sem 11 (1h)
Week 14. Sem 12 and Sem 13 (2h)
Relationship between Activity and Competencies
Masterclasses Con01, Con05, Comp08.
Seminars Con05, H/D05; H/D07
Computer lab: H/D05, Comp08
All course activities will be in-person, and there are no mandatory activities to pass the course, apart from the final exam.
Student learning will be monitored through the evaluation of the different activities indicated in the methodology. There will be a final exam focusing on the highlights of the course, primarily related to calculus and application.
The final grade will be calculated based on the evaluations of the activities related to continuous assessment, group tutoring, and the exam.
1. Continuous Assessment (20%)
1.1- Completion of short exercises in lectures and seminars: 15% (Con01; H/D07; Comp08)
1.2- Computer classroom exercises: 5% (Con05; H/D05)
2. Group tutoring (10%). Participation and performance in tutoring. (Con05; H/D07)
3. Exam (70%). This final exam is the only mandatory activity. (Con01; Con05; H/D05; H/D07; Comp08)
The grades for continuous assessment and group tutoring activities will be communicated to students before the exam.
For each sitting, the grades obtained in the continuous assessment and tutoring sessions from the first sitting will be retained for the second sitting and added to the new final exam.
For repeat students, if the continuous assessment and/or group tutoring grades are acceptable (> 5), they will be retained for the current academic year, provided the student does not indicate otherwise during the first week of class.
Extraordinary sitting: A final exam will be given with the characteristics indicated above. In this case, it will represent 100% of the grade.
In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Regulations on the Evaluation of Students' Academic Performance and Grade Review" will apply.
The student's class time for lectures (expository), problem-solving seminars (interactive), computer lab (interactive), formal tutorials, and exams in this subject is 39, 13, 2, 1, and 4 hours, respectively.
Student Work Hours:
Lectures: 88 hours
Seminars: 26 hours
Computer lab: 2 hours
Group tutorials: 4 hours
Subtotal: 120 hours
Exam and review: 30 hours
Total: 150 hours (ECTS = 6.0)
Given the length and difficulty of the subject, it is essential to have a sustained conviction throughout the course that the subject is possible to understand, master, and pass the course on the first sitting. Thermodynamics textbooks should be consulted to gain a deeper understanding of what is covered in the lectures, as well as to familiarize yourself with the information provided on the Internet.
a) Classes and all teaching materials will be conducted and taught in Spanish.
b) The virtual campus of the University of Santiago de Compostela will be used for teaching the course, as well as for activities such as tests.
Ramon Felipe Moreira Martinez
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816759
- ramon.moreira [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
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| 15:00-17:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A1 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 15:00-16:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A1 |
| 16:00-17:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Spanish | Classroom A1 |
| Friday | |||
| 16:00-17:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Spanish | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS03 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS06 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLIL_02 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS02 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS05 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS01 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS04 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS07 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.20.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLIL_03 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS04 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS07 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_03 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS03 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS06 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_02 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS02 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS05 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A2 |
| 06.15.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS01 | Classroom A2 |