MEng Chemical Engineering with Study in Europe

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Process Engineering Fundamentals

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEN10041
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Basic engineering calculations:

  •  Unit conversions
  • Order of magnitude
  • Dimensional homogeneity

Processes:     

  • Classification (batch, fed batch, continuous, transient, steady state)
  • Unit operations (general definition, introduction of concept)
  • Flow diagrams

Material balances:

  • General material balance equation
  • Differential and integral balances (system boundaries, degrees of freedom analysis)
  • Material balances for non-reacting systems
  • Material balances for reacting systems (stoichiometry, conversion, excess/limiting reactant, yield, selectivity)
  • Processes with more than one unit operation, recycle and purge

Energy balances:

  • First law of Thermodynamics and forms of energy
  • Energy balances for closed systems
  • Energy balances for open systems (steady state)
  • Energy balance calculations for reacting systems (enthalpy, reference state, heat of reaction, heat of formation, single and multi-phase systems)

Case study: combined material and energy balances

Aims

The unit aims to:

  • Extend student knowledge of basic engineering calculations.
  • Give students understanding of process classification and analysis.
  • Introduce the concept of unit operations.
  • Provide a framework and problem solving approach for complex engineering calculations.
  • Introduce and apply the principles of conservation of mass and energy to determine the material and energy requirements of a process.

Learning outcomes

Students should be able to:

ILO 1:Convert data between different unit systems.

ILO 2:Describe and classify processes (batch, continuous, steady state etc.)

ILO 3:Explain the concept of unit operations and its importance in chemical engineering.

ILO 4:Interpret process flow diagrams and create simple block diagrams as a basis for further analysis.

ILO 5:Apply the concepts of conservation of mass and energy to calculate the material and energy requirements of a process for reacting and non-reacting systems.

ILO 6:Calculate theoretical and excess air, yield, conversion and selectivity in reactive processes

ILO 7:Use knowledge of the first law of thermodynamics to derive the energy balance equations for closed and open systems.

ILO 8:Preliminary understanding of process design considerations.

ILO 9:Construct flow charts given a process description for multi-stage processes, including those with recycle and purge streams.

ILO 11:Perform simple design calculations.

ILO 12:Demonstrate problem solving skills.

ILO 13:Be able to work in a team to solve engineering problems skills.

ILO 14:Apply understanding of processes and their classification, material and energy requirements to other course units.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures provide fundamental aspects supporting the critical learning of the module and will be delivered as pre-recorded asynchronous short videos via our virtual learning environment.

Synchronous sessions will support the lecture material with Q&A and problem-solving sessions where you can apply the new concepts. Surgery hours are also available for drop-in support.

Feedback on problems and examples, feedback on coursework and exams, and model answers will also be provided through the virtual learning environment. A discussion board provides an opportunity to discuss topics related to the material presented in the module.

Students are expected to expand the concepts presented in the session and online by additional reading (suggested in the Online Reading List) in order to consolidate their learning process and further stimulate their interest to the module.

Study budget:

  • Core Learning Material (e.g. recorded lectures, problem solving sessions): 24 hours
  • Self-Guided Work (e.g. continuous assessment, extra problems, reading)     : 44 hours
  • Exam Style Assessment Revision and Preparation: 32 hours

Knowledge and understanding

  • Convert data between different unit systems.
  • Describe and classify processes (batch, continuous, steady state etc.).
  • Explain the concept of unit operations and its importance in chemical engineering.

Intellectual skills

  • Interpret process flow diagrams and create simple block diagrams as a basis for further analysis.
  • Apply the concepts of conservation of mass and energy to calculate the material and energy requirements of a process for reacting and non-reacting systems.
  • Calculate theoretical and excess air, yield, conversion and selectivity in reactive processes
  • Use knowledge of the first law of thermodynamics to derive the energy balance equations for closed and open systems.

Practical skills

  • Preliminary understanding of process design considerations.
  • Construct flow charts given a process description for multi-stage processes, including those with recycle and purge streams.
  • Perform simple design calculations.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Demonstrate problem solving skills.
  • Be able to work in a team to solve engineering problems skills.
  • Apply understanding of processes and their classification, material and energy requirements to other course units.

Assessment methods

Assessment Types

Total Weighting

Continuous assessment

30%

Exam style assessments

70%

Please note that the exam style assessments weighting may be split over midterm and end of semester exams. 

Feedback methods

For each assessment

Recommended reading

Reading lists are accessible through the Blackboard system linked to the library catalogue.

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
James Winterburn Unit coordinator

Additional notes

 

 

Return to course details