Practical Thermodynamics

Simulator usage has exploded in the past twenty years. Too often we think of the simulator as a video game, with high score defined as "no errors and I tricked it into the low heat duty I desire." Too often models are developed which do not reflect reality -- results based on these models are shaky at best.  Wizened and experienced users of process simulator software understand that the secret of good models is selecting the right thermodynamics. The only way to learn how to select the correct thermodynamic model (or even understand this abstract) is to gain experience recognizing when to use an equation of state, an activity coefficent model, or something else. This is not covered in depth in undergrad curricula, is no longer a popular graduate school topic, and few companies have sufficient experts (or time) to train the novice users. This talk is aimed at engineers who use a process simulator, but not every day. The goal is to help you become a skilled novice at selecting thermodynamic models, and give you the tools to progress further in your self study to become an expert modeler. This will not teach you how to make decisions at the level of a PhD in applied thermodynamics, but it will teach you how to avoid the worst mistakes which happen far too often and how to start on the path of becoming an expert.