This module introduces students to the fundamentals of chemical process analysis, and then to the considerations required in the initial or subsequent design of such processes. Students will be exposed to the foundation concepts of material and energy balancing, and these will then be applied to the consideration of unit processes and unit operations. Students will learn to analyse networks of such units comprising a process through flowsheeting, leading to the use of computational packages to analyse these, such as Microsoft Excel for spreadsheeting, and flowsheeting packages such as Pro/II and Aspen. The design of such processes will be used as a framing device for this material, with the design process itself being explored in much more detail in PDA-B.
In aid of this, the module will include material on fundamental reaction chemistry, thermodynamics, equilibria, and mathematical techniques related to the use of such. This will be done in concert with other modules at this level, such that students will gain the skills to apply their knowledge both to previously studies processes and to those with which they are unfamiliar, contributing to a synoptic understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals.
Students will also begin to refine skills in researching specific chemical processes, understanding the transformations involved and gaining appreciation for the operations required for such. Further, students will be expected to appreciate where this facet of chemical engineering (namely the analysis of such a process) sits as a component of a wider systems approach; as a consequence of such research, students will be expected to appreciate that chemical processes are designed and operated under legal and regulatory frameworks. This will become very important under PDA-B.
Students will simultaneously learn to coherently express the results of literature research and technical calculations in both a written and verbal context, through looking at how to develop a logical structure to address a problem specification.
Further computational packages will also be used: Matlab for the solution of various numerical problems, COMSOL for the implementation of computer models of specific unit operations, and AutoCAD for the production of technical drawings and process flow diagrams.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Carry out and present overall steady state material and energy balance calculations for integrated physical and chemical process systems incorporating chemical reactions, such that process flowsheets can be obtained.
Understand basic concepts in chemical engineering thermodynamics (e,g, chemical reactions, equilibria, equations of state), particularly as applicable to computational flowsheeting.
Use computational tools to solve engineering problems specifically related to material and energy balancing, chemical reaction simulation and data analysis, and describe how such techniques could be applied to the solution of extended problems.
Research the operation of an industrial chemical process, and write a technical report describing their findings.
Assessment
33510-01 : Computer based class test : Class Test (30%)
33510-02 : Individual Report : Coursework (20%)
33510-04 : Class test : Class Test (10%)
33510-05 : Group Design project : Group Assessment - Coursework (40%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment: Semester 1
(1) 2000 word individual written report (20%)
(2) 90 min Computer-based Class test (30%)
Semester 2
(1) 1 hr Class test (10%)
(2) 30 page group design report (40%)