Chemical Engineering Principles

Overview

Summary of Lecture Content:

This module concerns the core principles behind a chemical process with regard to heat and mass transfer and how this relates to the kinetics of a process. In terms of the breakdown of the module there will be four blocks, each of which will examine in detail the theory behind chemical engineering and how mathematical models can be applied to processes in order to quantify information about a chemical process. Within CHE7403 there will be key mathematical formulae and knowledge which will be transferable to other modules within the course. In order to support the delivery of the content in these following four blocks, workshops will aid in the understanding of the mathematical models used when thinking about the key processes which underpin fundamental chemical engineering.

Series 1: Thermodynamics
This block will introduce the students to the laws of thermodynamics and how these apply to chemical engineering systems. Students will learn how these link to entropy and ultimately how thermodynamics dictates the feasibility of reaction. Activation energy of a chemical process will also be discussed and using mathematical models the calculation of values will be explained in detail. A key section of this block is the determination of units and the interconversion between units. This will be a transferable skill within the course as there will be other areas where units will be considered and expected to be converted.
• Series 1 Lectures:
o Lecture 1: Units & Unit Conversion
o Lecture 2: Laws
o Lecture 3: Entropy
o Lecture 4: Feasibility of Reactions & Activation Energy

Series 2: Heat Transfer
This block will examine the transfer of heat and the exchange of heat within a chemical system or process. Some of the key aspects of the course will be look at the different methods by which heat can be transferred and the laws which govern the change of phase.
• Series 2 Lectures:
o Lecture 5: Heat Transport Phenomena
o Lecture 6: The Principle of Heat Transfer Process
o Lecture 7: Heat Exchanger Working Principle
o Lecture 8: Heat Exchanger Design

Series 3: Mass Transfer
This block discusses the theory behind the mass movement of particles within a chemical system or process and the theory behind the mass movement including the different types of mass transfer. Fick’s law will be examined and how it is used both to explain adaptations in organisms and to achieve maximal diffusion within a process.
• Series 3 Lectures
o Lecture 9: Introduction to Mass Transfer
o Lecture 10: Diffusion- Fick’s Law
o Lecture 11: Types of Mass Transfer
o Lecture 12: Diffusivity and Diffusion in the Semi-Infinite System

Series 4: Kinetics & Rates
The content of this block will examine the theory behind the rate of a chemical process and why this is important and the determination of quantifiable values from information gained from the process. In addition it explores the how reaction orders are determined and how integrated rate equations are used to analyse kinetic decays and determine the appropriate reaction rate constants. The last lecture looks at equilibrium reaction kinetics.
• Series 4 Lectures:
o Lecture 13: Factors that determine rates of reaction
o Lecture 14: Determination of reaction order
o Lecture 15: Kinetic equations associated with different reaction orders
o Lecture 16: Equilibrium kinetics


Summary of Workshops
• Workshop 1: This workshop will revisit the core principles of the first block with much of the emphasis of the workshop being on the understanding portion of the block including unit interconversion and mathematical skills involved with thermodynamic calculations.
• Workshop 2: The second workshop will focus on the understanding behind the movement and transfer of heat throughout a body or system. There will be emphasis on the design section of this block and the students will be split into groups to facilitate discussion and understanding of the topics between peers.
• Workshop 3: This workshop will build upon the previous workshop where the use of group activities will facilitate the understanding and support the lectures of mass transfer and the related principles.
• Workshop 4: The focus of this workshop will be to fully support the theoretical aspect of rates of reactions and processes including the determination of quantifiable values from the system including rate law and overall order. Much of the workshop will focus on the design of experiments which will probe rate values.

Summary of Module Delivery:
This block will be delivered via pre-recorded lectures due to the more challenging aspects of the course, this gives the students an opportunity to refer back to the lectures in order to fully support their lone revision and study. Alongside these pre-recorded lectures there will be in-person workshops which will allow for questions about the module to be raised and facilitate discussion between student and academic. These academic leading these workshops will be supported by a PhD/ PDRA who can facilitate group discussion between the students in break-out groups.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the module students will be able to:
• Understand, recall and use the laws of thermodynamics when describing a chemical process, use the values obtained from calculations to determine the feasibility and also the energy required for a reaction to occur
• Understand and apply knowledge required for the determination of units and the interconversion between units using the base units system
• Describe and explain the theory behind heat transfer process, and design the heat exchanger
• Understand the basic concepts of mass transfer and apply examples of mass transfer when considering a chemical process
• Understand and recall the calculations involved in the determination of a rate, rate constant and order of a reaction/ reactant
• Have an understanding of devising experiments which can be employed for the determination of a reaction rate and order.

Skills

Skills Associated with Module:
* Core skills in underlying physical sciences, in particular physics and chemistry as applied to solving problems
* Logical thinking
* STEM skills
* Communication and reporting writing skills

Assessment

Course Requirements:
Coursework submission: 100%
Total Coursework elements must be passed at:50%

Assessment Profile
Element type Element weight (%)
1. Workshop problems 75
2. Submitted tutorials 25