Chemical Process Analysis

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

Students must either:

1. Have completed the following subjects prior to enrolling in this subject

ONE OF:

AND ONE OF:

OR

2. Be enrolled in one of the following courses:

MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Biochemical)
MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Chemical)
MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Chemical with Business)

None

Students should have completed Material and Energy Balances or be enrolled in it.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

AIMS

This subject introduces students to important chemical engineering processes both on the large plant-wide scale and at the single unit operation scale. Students learn how to read, process flow diagrams and process and instrumentation diagrams. Process measurement and instrumentation is also covered.

Chemical engineering thermodynamics is introduced through some of the most common quantities of temperature, pressure, enthalpy and entropy. Industrially important thermodynamic cycles are included. The importance of phase behaviour and the ability to predict the behaviour of real gases is covered as are the properties of humid air as an example.

Students are also introduced to steady-state and unsteady-state process simulations using simple spreadsheet packages and commercial-scale simulation packages. Being able the simulation of simple material and energy balances allows the students to optimally design processes to meet safety and sustainablility requirements. The subject will include exercises in process optimisation and the solution of ill-defined process problems.

This subject together with Material and Energy Balances provides the basis for all the chemical engineering subjects that follow. The calculations introduced in these subjects are the most common type of calculations performed by professional chemical engineers working in all sectors of industry.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Important industry processes and unit operations. Interpretation of process flow diagrams, process and instrumentation diagrams. Commonly used process instrumentation and basic process control.

Thermodynamic topics include definitions of important quantities including temperature, pressure, enthalpy and entropy, thermodynamic cycles, phase behaviour, gases, liquids and vapours, P-V-T diagrams of pure substances, ideal and real gas behaviour, use of compressibility factor and generalized compressibility factor charts, equations of state, physical property estimation including vapour pressure and humidity.

Training in the use of a commercially-available process simulation package to perform simple material and energy balance calculations.

Designing for process safety and sustainability.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

1. Be able to model material and energy flows around reacting chemical systems using an appropriate modelling software package
2. Define and scope engineering problems and formulate suitable strategies for problem solution
3. Model real gas behaviour
4. Be able to develop and interpret of process flow diagrams, process and instrumentation diagrams
5. Be able to apply basic thermodynamic relationships to real problems
6. Be able to discuss the principles of sustainable design and development
7. Be able to recognize the difference between safe and unsafe industrial practices.

• One team based presentation with 3 to 4 team members of approximately 15 to 20 minutes, requiring 8 to 10 hours of work (10%) . ILO’s 1to 7 are addressed in this activity. Assessed in weeks 5 to 7
• Two written assignments of approximately 1000 words each requiring 10 to 12 hours of work including preparation (20% total, 10% each). ILO’s 1 to 7 are addressed in these activities. Assessed in weeks 5 to 12
• Attendance and participation in two laboratory classes each with a written assignment of approximately 1000 words each requiring 10 to 12 hours of work including preparation (20% total, 10% each). ILO’s 1 to 5 and 7 are addressed in these activities. Assessed in weeks 6 to 11
• One written 2-hours closed book examination. Held in the end-of-semester examination period. ILO’s 1 to 5 are addressed in the exam.

Hurdle requirement: The examination must be passed to pass the subject.

Shallcross D.C., “Physical Property Data Book for Engineers and Scientists”, IChemE, London, 2004

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance
• Understand the principles of sustainable design and development.