Chemical engineering (2024)

Course manager

Kresten Troelstrup Meisler

Semester schedule

Autumn (13-week periode)

ECTS

5

Language of instruction

English

Course type

Compulsory

Qualifications

Competences corresponding to participation in the courses Physical chemistry and Project 1 are recommended. 

Objectives

The objective of the course is to provide the student with an insight into basic concepts and methods applied in the description of industrial processes within chemistry and biotechnology. The student will further acquire the ability to make calculations on mass and energy flow to and from plants and processes.

Content

• A description of flows to and from plants and chemical processes
• Calculations on batch and flow processes considering degrees of freedom
• The interpretation and use of flow charts and diagrams
• Setting up and matching chemical equations, mass balances, and energy balances
• Calculations of chemical processes, with respect to e.g.:
  • yield, selectivity, and conversion rate
  • energy balances for non-reactive as well as reactive systems

Learning targets

On completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

Knowledge 

• Understand and explain flows to and from chemical plants and processes
• Describe physical conditions, comprising equilibrium conditions, pertaining to both single-phase and multiphase systems

Skills

• Assess whether, in connection with a single process, a given process is one of batch or flow operation 
• Translate the textual description pertaining to a process plant into a flow chart based on a general understanding of, and knowledge about, flows to and from chemical plants and processes such as set out above. This also comprises the ability to, unambiguously and systematically, express:
  • consistent units
  • the registration of logical symbols for unknown

• Assess whether a system can be unambiguously determined on the basis of the concept of degrees of freedom
• Explain the choice of relevant physical/chemical approximations as well as argue for when these can be applied
• Reassess relevant matching chemical equations of chemical processes, if any
• Set up logical mass balance sheets, including molecule and atom equilibriums 
• Apply equations by way of illustration for:
  • state equation for gases, Henry's law and Raoult's law
  • apply approximate methods in the determination of data

• Apply graphic methods
• Calculate missing data based on mass balance sheets, other data forms and other process equations
• Set up and calculate energy balances for both reactive and non-reactive systems
• Assess the validity of calculated results, comprising
  • substance amounts/masses and flows
  • magnitude of mole fractions
  • temperature levels
  • energy amounts and flows

Teaching method

Seminars and problem solutions

Examination and aids

Written examination. Duration of examination: 4 hours.

Permitted aids: Textbook, notes and mathematical programme/spreadsheets. No access to the internet. 

Marking 

External

Grading

The 7-point grading scale