Chemical Process Analysis (CHEN20011)

AIMS

This subject introduces students to important chemical engineering processes both on the large plant-wide scale and at the single unit operation scale. Students learn how to read process flow diagrams and process and instrumentation diagrams. Process measurement and instrumentation is also covered.

Chemical engineering thermodynamics is introduced through some of the most common quantities of temperature, pressure, enthalpy and entropy. Industrially important thermodynamic cycles are included. The importance of phase behaviour and the ability to predict the behaviour of real gases is covered. Students are introduced to homogeneous reactions and basic ideal reactor types. These concepts are then used to understand basic Chemical Engineering unit operations.

Students are also introduced to steady-state and unsteady-state process simulations using simple spreadsheet packages and commercial-scale simulation packages and basic programming. Being able to simulate simple material and energy balances allows the students to optimally design processes to meet safety and sustainability requirements. The subject will include exercises in process optimisation and the solution of ill-defined process problems.

This subject together with Material and Energy Balances provides the basis for all the chemical engineering subjects that follow. The calculations introduced in these subjects are the most common type of calculations performed by professional chemical engineers working in all sectors of industry.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Important industry processes and unit operations. Interpretation of process flow diagrams, process and instrumentation diagrams. Commonly used process instrumentation and basic process control.

Thermodynamic topics include definitions of important quantities including temperature, pressure, enthalpy and entropy, thermodynamic cycles, phase behaviour, gases, liquids and vapours, P-V-T diagrams of pure substances, ideal and real gas behaviour, use of compressibility factor and generalized compressibility factor charts, equations of state, physical property estimation including vapour pressure and humidity. Homogeneous reactions and basic reactor types.

Training in the use of a commercially-available process simulation package to perform simple material and energy balance calculations and basic programming.

Designing for process safety and sustainability.