Thermodynamics of Phase Equilibria and Seperation Technology

The module teaches the fundamentals of thermodynamic calculation of phase and reaction equilibria of fluid mixtures – a central foundation of numerous processes in energy and process engineering.

Students acquire an in-depth understanding of the thermodynamic relationships underlying phase and reaction equilibria and are able to explain these confidently in their own words. They learn about important calculation models and understand their areas of application and limitations.

A particular focus is placed on the interpretation and use of phase diagrams for component mixtures. On this basis, students are able to design separation processes as a first approximation and select the appropriate process for specific separation tasks.

Among other things, canonical equations of state, chemical potential, and fugacity and activity coefficients are covered as central tools for describing equilibrium. Building on this, central thermal and material separation processes such as distillation and rectification, absorption, gas scrubbing, adsorption, extraction, and membrane separation processes are systematically introduced and classified thermodynamically.