Industrial Process Analysis
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| CHEE3011 | Chemical and Environmental Engineering | 3 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- CHEE3011
- School
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
Students completing this module will be able to;
- Assess the physical-chemical basis for safe process design, including handling of extremely hazardous materials, appropriate safety and control measures and the effect that such considerations have upon influence of scale-up.
- Evaluate the basis for selection of construction material based on the characteristics of the materials being processed, conditions required to achieve the transformation, etc.
- Critically evaluate physical-chemical basis for application of novel/alternative processes and plant designs (e.g. green chemistry/process intensification / process integration).
- Explain the physical-chemical and practical factors which influence process economics, for example achievable yields, economies of scale of process, work up and purification, Sue stages.
- Demonstrate what influence whole system thinking, total life-cycle and critical analysis have upon the physical-chemical basis of process designs.
- Explain control choices with respect to the material, physical and chemical properties of the process relating them to product specifications and legislation requirements etc.
- Evaluate interactive risk within a complex system.
- Understand the potential influence of that environmental impact and societal opinion has upon process design.
This will be achieved using a variety of case studies from a number of industries.
Target Students
Students registered in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering only.
Assessment
- 100% Exam 1 (2-hour): Exam
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
To provide a thorough understanding of the influence process, hygiene and material characteristics have upon the overall, total transformation design of chemical process plants via the reverse / forensic engineering based analysis of exemplar plant designs. This will be delivered using a top-down approach. Starting with whole plant / process designs and evaluating the design choices that have been driven by understanding these influencing factors.Learning Outcomes
A2 Chemical Engineering Principles:
A2.4.5 be able to apply their knowledge of chemical engineering principles to complex and/or novel unit operations, process equipment, and substances with complex behaviour.
Demonstrated by relating how the process chemistry can influence the choices made by an engineer to ensure that the process design is fit for purpose. The ethical, SHE and economic behaviour is also related to process choice in the definition of meeting legislative regulations, processing safety and product specification. Assessed By Examination Questions
A2.2.4 understand the principles of equilibrium and chemical thermodynamics, and application to phase behaviour, to systems with chemical reaction and to processes with heat and work transfer.
As evidenced by lecture work on the influence of chemical equilibria and reaction thermodynamics e.g. exotherms on process design. Examples classes conducted to discuss methods of understanding the influence of these elements on process design. Assessed By Examination Questions
A2.6.3 Understand the principles of risk assessment and of safety management, and be able to apply techniques for the assessment and abatement of process and product hazards.
Demonstrated by relating risk assessment and fault tree analysis to process design and existing processes. It is also discussed how these elements are related to HAZOP studies. Fault tree analysis is used to define routes by which risk can be mitigated to maximise safe operation. Assessed By Examination Questions
A4 Chemical Engineering Design:
A4.1.9 Process troubleshooting/debottlenecking & analysis of problems for an existing process for which the solutions require innovative process or equipment changes
A4.1.10 Product design
Demonstrated by discussing innovative / specialised reactor geometries are discussed that have been developed to overcome key process chemistry issues. A strong focus in this area on overcoming mass and heat transfer issues. The use of emulsion processing is also discussed. Assessed By Examination Questions
A4.2.5, be able to evaluate the effectiveness of their design, including its immediate and life cycle environmental impacts.
A4.2.8 have a comprehensive understanding of design processes and methodologies and an ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations.
In lectures by demonstrating how the design, optimisation and operation of a process is influenced /directed by using Arrhenius plots and Van't Hoff plots. It is also defined how these are used to define the effectiveness of a design or process. Assessed By Examination Questions