Introduction to Engineering Design

Overview

Staff
Name and contribution
Dr Robin Curry
r.curry@qub.ac.uk
3 Lectures – Introduction to Unit Operation Processes

Dr Nicole Gui (module co-ordinator)
m.gui@qub.ac.uk
20 Workshops - Design project

Dr Kevin Morgan
k.morgan@qub.ac.uk
4 Workshops - CHP tour

Dr Chunfei Wu
c.wu@qub.ac.uk
6 Seminars - (Aspen computer lab)

Detailed Syllabus – Lectures/Tutorials (3 hours):

1. Introduction to Unit Operation Processes - Dr R. Curry
1.1. Basic fluid transfer equipment: mixers, pumps, valves, compressor, turbine.
1.2. Heat transfer equipment: heat exchangers, design and operation.
1.3. Mass transfer equipment: distillation, solvent extraction, filtration, absorption units.
1.4. General concept of operation: batch and continuous, heating/cooling system, flow arrangement.

Details of Workshops/Seminars (30 hours):

The seminar sessions will focus on creative problem solving and guidance towards completion of design project.

1. CHP tour (Dr K. Morgan) 4 hours
2. Aspen (computer lab, Dr C. Wu) 6 hours
3. Design project (Dr N.Gui) 20 hours


Design Project – Group projects:
Students will be divided into group of five and will be given a specific design statement. Each group of students will be asked to produce a process design based on their design statement and perform mass and energy balance calculations, as well as basic design calculations for the process. The students are also expected to design simple unit operations such as pumps and heat exchangers with the guidance given. Lastly, a final report compiling the calculated data and detail analysis of operating conditions will be submitted at the end of the semester. Peer review assessment will be conducted as a measure of the group working performance of each individual student.

Learning Objectives

On completion of this module a learner should be able to:
Use computer aid software, Aspen to obtain physical properties of chemical components and perform simple process simulation.
Apply the knowledge gained from other modules in chemical process design.
Design simple process equipment for specified operating conditions provided.
Describe the basic key features, operation modes and condition of industrial equipment.
Develop important time management skills and group work as well as able to meet both group and individual project deadlines.
Demonstrate an ability to analyse uncertainties in design and perform critical thinking.
Develop literature review and design report writing skills.

Skills

Learners are expected to demonstrate the following on completion of the module:
Analytical and computational skill – Use of Excel for calculations and graphing.
Problem solving skill – Completing design problems centered on individual unit operations and on a small process.
Creative thinking – Enhanced through development of operating strategies to increase process efficiency.
Communication skills – Reporting of design information, calculated data with critical analysis of the design data.
Moral and ethical reasoning.
Learning and management – effective time management to complete the assignment within scheduled timeline.

Assessment

The module is based on 100% continual assessment.

The continual assessment consists of the following components:
Design project
• Process description
• Materials and energy balance, design calculations
• Peer assessment

Course Requirements:

Assessed Classes Attendance at 80 %
Module Pass Mark Veto at 40 %
Design Project Pass Mark Veto at 40 %
To gain modular credit a student must pass all of the continual assessment elements of the module.