41117 Introduction to Chemical Process Engineering
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
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 introduces students to the basic principles and practice of chemical process engineering to transform raw materials and energy into products that are useful to society at an industrial scale with an emphasis on sustainability. They explore a range of current, emerging, and non-traditional areas where chemical engineers can contribute toward community and environmental wellbeing. Students also develop analytical skills to solve chemical mass and energy balances in a variety of settings, such as close and open loop reactions, to design chemical schematic diagrams and chemical reactors for industries, to utilise energy combustion and separation process and polymer plastics.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Describe professional responsibilities for sustainable distribution of resources and energy in engineering projects. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Design sustainable process flow diagrams to meet client needs. (C.1) |
| 3. | Apply data analysis to inform design optimisation solution for client needs. (D.1) |
| 4. | Reflect on ways collaboration with colleagues influences personal and professional shifts in understanding and behaviour in the context of Ali engineering project. (F.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)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.1. Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
- 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
- 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 3.5 Orderly management of self and professional conduct.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject will be facilitated using case studies and practical lab exercises in clearly defined and real-life industry contexts. Learning activities in this subject will be supported by actual industrial chemical risk assessment and safety standards and case scenarios and recently released recommended textbook. Each week, students will work on a case study drawn from industry. Students will complete assignments in the context of learning objectives. Students are led through interactive learning, including group assignments. In class quizzes are administered to provide opportunities for feedback and encourage group discussions but are not formally assessed. In small groups, students work on an open-ended design problems as part of case study analysis. Each student is required to keep an e-portfolio of their design activities in the subject.
Content (topics)
Basic chemical engineering:
- Industry chemical standards and hazardous chemical safety assessment
- Understanding chemical reaction symbols and schematic flow diagrams
Unit operations
- Chemical mass balance and heat transfer
- Energy balance and transport phenomena
- Chemical and biochemical reactions and lab operations
Design and operation:
- Chemical process design flow diagrams.
- Column design and lab operation.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Chemical risk assessment -industry project case study
| Intent: | Use remediation technology and understanding to design for safety measures and sustainable distribution of resources and energy in engineering projects. |
|---|---|
| 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: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 800 words plus figures and references |
Assessment task 2: Lab assessment and report
| Intent: | To apply chemical process technical knowledge through practical hands-on activity on mass flow reactor, chemical mass balance and chemical solvent application |
|---|---|
| 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, group assessed |
| Weight: | 45% |
| Length: | 1000 words plus figures and references |
Assessment task 3: Client project case study
| Intent: | To incorporate technical knowledge and specific design skills to bring together engineering equipment and processes for unit operations. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 1500 words plus figures and references |
Assessment task 4: Reflection video
| Intent: | To incorporate technical knowledge and specific design skills to bring together engineering equipment and processes for unit operations. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 1500 words plus figures and references |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Recommended texts
There is no standard text book used in this subject.
A list of text books have been recommended below in the References section to help improve a student's understanding of content taught in this subject. The text books referenced are also available in the UTS library
Green, Don W., and Marylee Z. Southard. Perry's chemical engineers' handbook. McGraw-Hill Education, 2019.
Nnaji, U. (2019). Graduate Programs in Chemical Engineering. In Introduction to Chemical Engineering, U. Nnaji (Ed.).
Riggs, James B. "Basic principles and calculations in chemical engineering." (1996).
DeLancey, George. Principles of chemical engineering practice. John Wiley & Sons, 2013.
Ghasem, Nayef, and Redhouane Henda. Principles of chemical engineering processes. CRC Press, 2008.