Reactor Engineering (CHEN30001)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
This subject introduces students to aspects of reactor system design. Chemical reactors are at the heart of any major chemical process design. Chemical reaction engineering is concerned with the exploitation of chemical reactions on a commercial scale. Chemical reaction engineering aims at studying and optimizing chemical reactions in order to define the best reactor design. Hence, the interactions of flow phenomena, mass transfer, heat transfer, and reaction kinetics are of prime importance in order to relate reactor performance to feed composition and operating conditions.
This subject is one of the key parts of the chemical and biochemical engineering curriculum upon which a lot of later year material is built.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
- Kinetics of homogeneous reactions
- Design of single ideal reactors
- Multiple reactor systems
- Other design reactors (recycle reactors and temperature effects)
- Basics of non-ideal flow
- Models for reactors
- Mixed flow in model reactors.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Interpret data from both ideal and non-ideal batch, plug flow and mixed flow reactors
- Model more complex flowing reactor systems using combinations of idealized plug flow and continuously stirred tank ranks
- Design simple reactor systems
- Predict simple temperature profiles in reacting systems.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed team work skills and enhance the following generic skills:
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
- Capacity for independent thought
- Ability and self-confidence to comprehend complex concepts, to express them lucidly and to confront unfamiliar problem.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Undergraduate students:
Students must have completed:
ONE OF:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEN20010 | Material and Energy Balances |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEN20008 - Chemical Process Analysis 2
AND:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM20018 | Chemistry: Reactions and Synthesis | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
(CHEM20018 Reactions and Synthesis may also be taken concurrently)
Postgraduate students:
Admission to the MC-ENG 300-point Master of Engineering (Chemical), (Chemical with Business), (Biochemical) or (Materials)
AND ONE OF:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEN20010 | Material and Energy Balances |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEN20008 - Chemical Process Analysis 2
OR Admission into the MC-ENG 200-point Master of Engineering (Chemical), (Biochemical) or (Materials)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
CHEN40003 Reactor Engineering
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Assessment
Additional details
- A two-hour written test (15%), held mid-semester (on or around week 6). Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 4 are addressed in this test
- Two lab reports (15%); no more than 10 pages per report (not including title page, nomenclature, and appendices). An overall time commitment of 15-20 hours. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in the laboratory assignments. One in the first-half of semester and the second in the second-half of semester
- Three-hour end of semester examination (70%). The examination paper will consist of problems designed to test whether the student has acquired the ability to apply fundamental principles to the solutions of problems involving chemical reactors. The problems set for the exam will be similar to those undertaken in the tutorial class. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in the examination.
Hurdle requirement: A mark of 40% or more in the end-of-semester examination is required to pass the subject.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Greg Qiao Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 2 hour lecture per week, 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week and 2 x 3 hour laboratory sessions per semester Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
Prof Greg Qiao
Email: gregghq@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated 170 hours
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
O. Levenspiel, Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York,1999
Recommended texts and other resources
Missen, R. W., Mims, C. A., and Saville, B. A., 1999, Introduction to chemical reaction engineering and kinetics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York,
Fogler, H.S., 1999, Elements of chemical reaction engineering, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall PTR, New Jersey, - Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject will be delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorials. Students will also complete two experiments which will reinforce the material covered in lectures. The two experiments are:
- Chemical Reactors
- Dynamics of Reactors
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Missen, R. W., Mims, C. A., and Saville, B. A., 1999, Introduction to chemical reaction engineering and kinetics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York,
Fogler, H.S., 1999, Elements of chemical reaction engineering, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall PTR, New Jersey,CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
The skills gained in this subject are crucial to the career of a process engineer. They will be important for students wishing to progress to jobs in engineering design offices or in operational roles within a wide range of chemical industries including petrochemicals, polymer and surfactant manufacture.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Chemical Systems Specialisation (formal) Chemical Specialisation (formal) Chemical with Business Specialisation (formal) Biochemical - Breadth options
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 9 April 2025