41117 Introduction to Chemical Process Engineering
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 65111 Chemistry 1 OR 60101 Chemistry and Materials Science
Description
This subject covers the theory and practice of chemical process engineering, which transforms raw materials and energy into products that are useful to society, at an industrial scale. The subject provides an overview of three key areas of process engineering: basic theoretical concepts such as mass and energy balance, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena; industrial unit operations such as momentum, mass, and heat transfer, and chemical and biochemical reaction; and process design, control, and automation, computer-aided design, and plant design and operation.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. | Identify the main drivers and future development of chemical process engineering to achieve sustainability. (B.1) |
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2. | Demonstrate computational skills to conduct mass and energy balance of standard unit operations. (D.1) |
3. | Develop material processing flowsheets with a defined set of engineering constraints (e.g., energy, space, and time). (C.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject will be facilitated using case studies and practical exercises in clearly defined and real-life contexts. Learning activities in this subject will be supported by an industry expert and a recently released recommended textbook. Each week, students will work on a case study drawn from industry. Before each class, students will complete an online quiz that defines the context and learning objectives of the week. These online quizzes are not formally assessed but will provide opportunities to provide feedback to students. In small groups, students will work on an open-ended design problem as part of the case study. Each student is required to keep an e-portfolio of their design activities in the subject.
Content (topics)
Basic engineering:
- mass and energy balance
- thermodynamics
- transport phenomena
Unit operations
- momentum
- mass and heat transfer
- chemical and biochemical reactions
Design and operation:
- process control and automation
- computer-aided design
- plant design and operation.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quiz
Intent: | To consolidate technical knowledge and specific computational skills to bring together engineering equipment and processes for unit operations. |
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Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
Type: | Quiz/test |
Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
Weight: | 10% |
Length: | 30 min |
Assessment task 2: Practical exercise and lab report
Intent: | To develop skills and creativity to solve specific design and engineering problems in unit operation |
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Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
Type: | Laboratory/practical |
Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
Weight: | 20% |
Length: | 3 lab sessions of 2 hours each. The lab report is limited to four A4 pages in length. |
Assessment task 3: Mid-term test
Intent: | To consolidate understanding of the equipment, processes and methodology associated with chemical process engineering |
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Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
Type: | Exercises |
Groupwork: | Individual |
Weight: | 30% |
Length: | 60 min |
Assessment task 4: Design the flowsheet of a defined and real-world chemical process
Intent: | To design a complete chemical engineering flowsheet, starting from conceptualisation to define the problem and design constraints, planning, and applying aided drawing software to present the design, and client presentation. |
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Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
Type: | Demonstration |
Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
Weight: | 40% |
Length: | In class and self-learning time |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Recommended texts
Michael Duncan and Jeffrey A. Reimer (2019) “Chemical Engineering Design and Analysis - An Introduction” Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 9781108421478.