BEng Chemical Engineering

The unit consist of six main topics:

1. Introduction to conceptual design of chemical processes: in this topic the main principles of process design are introduced. The focus will be on how to formulate the process design problem, the hierarchy of the process design, the difference between continuous and batch processes, the different aspect of a new design and the retrofit of a process.
2. Graphical representation of flowsheets: in this topic block flow diagrams (BFD), process flow diagrams (PFD), piping and instrumentation diagrams (PID) and process simulation diagrams (PSD) are introduced.
3. Physical property methods and models: in this topic the physical properties methods used in typical process simulation software are described. The focus will be on how to select and validate a vapour-liquid equilibrium model for different process simulation.
4. Introduction to unit operation modelling: in this topic the principles for modelling some of the main unit operations (mixers, separators, reactors, heat exchangers, etc.) as found in typical commercial process simulation software are explained. The focus will be on the required input-information needed and principles equations used in order for the simulation to run and generate relevant simulation-results.
5. Flowsheet modelling and simulation: in this topic different model specification, recycles, convergence variables and the possibility to portioning and tearing process flowsheets are described. The focus will be on developing process simulation skills as to simulate a process that include recycle and purge streams.
6. Economic evaluation of process designs: in this topic the methodology for the calculation and assessment of a process economics are explained in terms of process evaluation, cost estimation methods (fixed, variable, total cost), the performance indicators and the main aspects of the economic evaluation (depreciation, cash flows, investment criteria).

The unit aims to:

develop students’ understanding and skills in design, simulation and evaluation of processes.