Does “Thermodynamic Intuition” Have a Role in Applied Thermodynamics?

Chemical process technology is increasingly based upon process simulation, and, in turn, reliable simulations are built upon “good thermo.” Chemical science and technology has mostly relied upon explicit knowledge. We use the rigorous laws of nature, like the conservation of mass and energy and the second law of thermodynamics, to create process models. We develop quantitative physical-property correlations using molecular thermodynamics, molecular simulations and accurate data. We believe that better theory will lead to more efficient designs and plants that operate safely and as designed. In this presentation we probe the value of tacit knowledge as a complement to explicit knowledge.

Tacit knowledge in the form of informed guesses, hunches and imaginings comes naturally to human beings through experience and immersion in the subject of interest, even though we cannot explain the pathway by which the knowledge is achieved. We cannot compute very rapidly, but we can see and use patterns better than powerful computers. As an example, Dr. Douglas Ambrose, who did fine research on vapor pressure has written: “The eye can see at a glance what may not be easy to deduce from columns of numbers and a few statistical parameters.” Our evolved brains naturally develop gut feelings and rules of thumb that enable us to act fast, and often with astounding accuracy. Experts in applied thermodynamics can invariably spot poor data and incorrect calculations because the patterns don’t “look right.”

In this presentation, we begin with an introductory overview of tacit knowledge, and then use examples and case studies to probe and identify the ways in which tacit knowledge, and specifically “thermodynamic intuition,” may be used to improve the practice of applied thermodynamics.