Digitisation in the Process Industries (CHEN20011)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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Building on Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering (CHEN20012) and Material and Energy Balances (CHEN20010), this subject further explores chemical engineering processes and design, both on the large plant-wide scale and at the single unit operation scale with a quantitative approach to analysis and complexity commensurate with real world applications.

A range of numerical methods are introduced in a problem-specific context, from CHEN20010 and CHEN20012.  This subject will focus on applying numerical methods in chemical engineering  processes at multiple levels, first on a fundamental molecular level, followed by the design of a particular product or unit operation all the way up to an overall engineering process on a plant-wide scale. Students are introduced to steady-state and unsteady-state process simulations using tools including simple spreadsheet packages, commercial-scale simulation packages widely used in the chemical process industry and basic programming. Being able to simulate material and energy balances on reactors and separation unit operations 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.

Please view this video for further information: Digitisation in the Process Industries

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

  • Formulate a chemical engineering problem as a mathematical model, and select an appropriate solution method
  • Apply appropriate numerical models to solve chemical engineering problems in diffusion, chemical kinetics and heat transfer relevant to unit operations
  • Model steady and unsteady material and energy flows around reacting chemical systems using commercially relevant chemical process simulator software packages
  • Define and scope engineering problems and formulate suitable strategies including computational requirements of various solution options and use this understanding in the selection of the solution method
  • Apply chemical engineering process simulation software to model thermodynamic properties, real gas behaviour using equations of state models and physical property estimation of pure components and mixtures
  • Select the appropriate software package to perform the numerical solution to a chemical engineering problem
  • Formulate and solve process design problems, based on economic analysis and using mathematical models of chemical processes.

Generic skills

  • Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and fundamentals of chemical engineering
  • Ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
  • Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and evaluate performance of operational processes

Last updated: 4 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
CHEN20010 Material and Energy Balances
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CHEN20012 Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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.

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: 4 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

One team-based (3-4 students) written programming assignment. 10-13 hours of work per group member. Intended Learning Outcomes 1-7 are addressed in this activity.

  • 10-13 hours (of work required)
Week 4 or 515%

One in-class 2-hour programming assignment on unit operations. Intended Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 4 are addressed in this activity.

  • 2 hours (of work required)
Approximately Week 720%

An in-class written computer simulation assignment. Intended Learning Outcomes 1-7 are addressed in this activity.

  • 2 hours (of work required)
Approximately Week 920%

A team-based (3-4 students) computer simulation mini-design problem. 10-13 hours of work per group member. Intended Learning Outcomes 1 and 3 to 7 are addressed in this activity.

  • 10-13 hours (of work required)
Week 11 or 1215%

One 3-hour combined process modelling, programming and simulation assignment. Intended Learning Outcomes 1 and 3 to 7 are addressed in this activity.

  • 3 hours
During the examination period30%

Last updated: 4 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorEirini Goudeli
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours12 x 1-hour lectures, 11 x 1-hour tutorials, and 12 x 2-hour computer laboratory classes (workshop).
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    Dr Eirini Goudeli

    E-mail: eirini.goudeli@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 April 2025