化工专业英语-Unit 11.pptVIP

After completing this unit, you should be able to: Identify the application of thermodynamics. Discuss the nature of thermodynamics. State and describe briefly each of the three thermodynamic laws. Explain the mechanisms of heat flow: conduction, convection and radiation. Before committing (犯罪，投入时间/金钱等) a great deal of time and effort to the study of a subject, it is reasonable to ask the following two questions: what is it? What is it good for? Regarding thermodynamics, the second question is more easily answered, but an answer to the first is essential to an understanding of the subject. Although it is doubtful that many experts or scholars would agree on a simple and precise definition of thermodynamics, necessity demands that a definition be attempted. However, this is best accomplished after the applications of thermodynamics have been discussed. Applications of Thermodynamics There are two major applications of thermodynamics, both of which are important to chemical engineers: (ⅰ)The calculation of heat and work effects associated with processes as well as the calculation of the maximum work obtainable from a process or the minimum work required to drive a process. (ⅱ)The establishment of relationships among the variables describing systems at equilibrium. The first application is suggested（建议，提议；暗示；使联想到；启示） by the name thermodynamics, which implies heat in motion. Most of these calculating can be made by the direct implementation of the first and second laws. Examples are calculating the work of compressing a gas, performing an energy balance on an entire process or a process unit, determining the minimum work of separating a mixture of ethanol and water or evaluating the efficiency of an ammonia synthesis plant. The application of thermodynamics to a particular system results in the definition of useful properties and the establishment of a network of relationships among the properties and other variabl