Modern Thermodynamics for Energy Systems

Catalog description

Thermodynamics of external fields, theory of stability and fluctuations, irreversible and non-linear thermodynamics, and bifurcation theory and their applications in energy and environmental processes are discussed. This course will be an advanced thermodynamics class that will expose students to the thermodynamics of irreversible processes and the thermodynamic analysis of dynamic systems. Students will learn to analyze the thermodynamics of conductivity, diffusion, gravitation, electrochemical systems, stability, fluctuations and critical phenomena. Students are expected to be able to understand and apply their knowledge to analyze problems involving fuel cells, membrane potential in electrolysis systems for hydrogen production, and other energy and environmental processes. This is an elective course in the energy engineering major and will be offered once a year in the spring semester to about 40 students. Student performance will be evaluated based on homework, mid term exams, class participation, project, and final exams.