Separation & Particle Technology

Code

CHEE2049

School

Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

This module establishes the principles of the following separation processes based on fundamental vapour (gas) - liquid equilibria: binary distillation, gas absorption/stripping and drying. This module also covers settling of single and multiple particles, terminal falling velocity, centrifugation, flow of fluids through beds of particles, filtration, fluidisation, pneumatic transport, gas-solid separation processes, particle storage in hopper, particle size engineering, and hazards in handling and utilisation of particles.

Re-Assessment: The module will be re-assessed through 100% individual examination, centrally timetabled in the University's resit period.
 

Target Students

Available only to Year 2 students studying BEng/MEng (Hons), Chemical & Chemical with Environmental Engineering & Environmental Engineering.

Assessment

• 20% Practical
• 80% Exam (2-hour): Final examination

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

A2 Chemical Engineering Principles:
A2.2.3 Understand the thermodynamics and transport properties of fluids, solids and multiphase systems. 

Demonstrated by the ability to describe concepts and solve problems related to the transport of particles and particle systems through the related concept include: Ergun equation, Darcy’s Law, Geldart Chart etc. Assessed by laboratory reports on experimental behaviour of glass beads in air/water with regard to flow speed and pressure drop. Assessed by questions in the final exam related to the concepts covered in the lecture (e.g. Ergun equation, Darcy’s law etc.)  

A2.4.2 Understand and be able to use basic chemical principles to model the characteristics and performance of a range of typical mixing, separation and similar processing steps for fluids, particulates and multiphase systems. 

Demonstrated by the ability to estimate column efficiency, HETP or mass transfer coefficients in distillation columns / absorbers using empirical correlations and data from the literature. Also demonstrated by the ability to describe and apply key methods for understanding the characteristics of particle mechanics. Assessed by questions in the final examination, related to the design of separation columns and to particle mechanics. Also assessed by laboratory reports on experimental determination of performance of a distillation column under different operating conditions.  

A2.4.3 Understand the principles on which processing equipment operates to determine equipment size and performance of common items such as reactors, exchangers and columns. 

Demonstrated by the ability to understand and apply operating principles of distillation (reflux ratio, operating lines, vapour-liquid equilibria) and of absorption/stripping (Henry’s law, operating lines, minimum flowrates, two film mass transfer theory) to determine the height of the separation section of distillation and of absorption columns (eg McCabe-Thiele method to determine distillation column height; transfer unit method to determine packing height). Assessed by questions in the final examination, related to the sizing of separation columns. 

A2.4.1 Understand the most widely used unit operations of separation and mixing; particle technology; equipment sizing and performance; biological systems. 

Demonstrated by the ability to determine design parameters for distillation and absorption columns (mass balances, energy balance around reboilers / condensers, height of separation section) and for driers (mass and energy balances, drying rate and residence time). Also demonstrated by the ability to design and adjust the processing parameters for packed bed, fluidized bed, pneumatic transport (particle size, minimum fluidization speed, pressure drop) and for particle separation and storage (hopper design, choice of particle separation techniques)Assessed by questions in the final examination. 

A3 Chemical Engineering Practice:
A3.2.9 Have a knowledge and understanding of laboratory practice, and ability to operate bench (or larger) scale chemical engineering equipment. 

Demonstrated by the ability to operate and assess the performance of lab scale separation equipment and explain how different variables impact on equipment behaviour. Assessed by laboratory reports. 

A3.2.10 Be able to design, plan and undertake experimental or plant work and critically interpret, analyse and report on experimental data. 

Demonstrated by the ability to perform separation and particle mechanics related experimental work, including report, receiving formative and then subsequently summative feedback on the process. Assessed by laboratory reports 
 

Conveners

• Dr Anca Pordea
• Jon Tew