Units / CHE2164
CHE2164 · Thermodynamics 1
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 2Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
Introduce fundamentals and applications of classical thermodynamics. Understand the concepts of heat, work, energy, and entropy, the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics and their application. Introduction to the Carnot cycle and the concept of irreversibility. Understand the use of property diagrams in solving heat engine and heat pump cycles. Understand the operation and analysis of the Brayton, Otto, Diesel and Rankine cycles. Introduction to the analysis of refrigeration and heat pump cycles. Perform experiments to illustrate the concepts of Thermodynamics. Simple combustion processes. Renewable energy and its use in heating and electricity generation and environmental benefits.
Areas of study: E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Specialisation: Chemical engineering E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Specialisation: Environmental engineering
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
| Malaysia | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Practice class problem sets | Exercise | 10% | Threshold |
| 2 | Online quizzes | Quiz / Test | 10% | Threshold |
| 3 | Two experiments and individual lab reports | Demonstration | 10% | Threshold |
| 4 | Tests 1 and 2 | Quiz / Test | 20% | Threshold |
| 5 | Final assessment | Examination | 50% | Threshold |
Continuous assessment: 50% Final assessment: 50% This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
Learning outcomes
- Identify concepts of thermodynamic equilibrium and energy transfer.
- Determine the transfer of energy in ideal engineering devices using the First Law of Thermodynamics.
- Determine the performance and efficiency of ideal and practical engineering devices using the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
- Apply thermodynamics concepts to evaluate the performance of heat engines and refrigeration systems.
- Discern measurements required to evaluate the thermodynamic performance of real engineering systems.
Workload
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Laboratories | 6 hours |
| Workshops | 24 hours |
| Practical activities | 22 hours |
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