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Reactors and Catalysis (CHEN30001)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
FeesLook 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. The subject will also cover catalytic reactor system.

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.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, the student should be able 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
  • Understand and identify the different rate controlling mechanisms in reactor design
  • Solve problems in the design of heterogeneous reacting systems and in particular catalytic 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: 2 December 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Undergraduate Students:

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
CHEN20010 Material and Energy Balances
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
CHEN20011 Digitisation in the Process Industries
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
CHEM10004 Chemistry 2
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

Postgraduate Students:

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • MC-CHEMENG Master of Chemical Engineering
  • Business specialisation (formal) in the MC-CHEMENG Master of Chemical Engineering
  • Sustainability and Environment specialisation (formal) in the MC-CHEMENG Master of Chemical Engineering
  • Materials and Minerals specialisation (formal) in the MC-CHEMENG Master of Chemical Engineering

AND

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
CHEN20010 Material and Energy Balances
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
CHEN20011 Digitisation in the Process Industries
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

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: 2 December 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Lab-based online quiz and computer simulation problem. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in this assignment.

  • 10 hours (of work required)
From Week 2 to Week 610%

Lab based report, worth 10%. Overall time commitment of approximately 15 hours. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in the assignment.

  • 15 hours (of work required)
From Week 8 to Week 1210%

One 60-minute mid-semester test (15%). Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1-4 are addressed in the test. Held around Week 6 of the Semester.

  • 60 minutes
Week 610%

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 6 are addressed in the examination.

  • 3 hours
Hurdle requirement: A mark of 40% or more in the end-of-semester examination is required to pass the subject. 		During the examination period70%

Last updated: 2 December 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorGreg Qiao
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hours2 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 commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022
    Last self-enrol date11 March 2022
    Census date31 March 2022
    Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022
    Assessment period ends24 June 2022

    Semester 1 contact information

    Professor Greg Qiao

    Email: gregghq@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Estimated 170 hours

Last updated: 2 December 2023

Further information

Last updated: 2 December 2023