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Department of Chemical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


CE40127: Advanced chemical engineering

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: EX 100%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To give a critical analysis of chemical and physical interactions in catalytic processes, to introduce analysis tools and models for a variety of reactors employing catalysts in solid form and to present the basis and value of residence time distribution (RTD) techniques. To introduce the principles and practices underlying, (a) the selection and sequencing of complex separations, and, (b) the design and operation of advanced separation processes based on adsorption, membranes, crystallisation and reactive separation.

Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing this unit the student should be able to analyse reactions, mass transfer effects and deactivation in catalytic processes; analyse and design and wide variety of reactors, apply residence time distribution techniques, apply fundamental scientific and engineering principles to determine optimum separation sequences for complex multicomponent feedstocks; design and analyse the performance of adsorption-based separations; design and analyse the performance of membrane-based separations; design and analyse the performance of crystallisation-based separations; design and analyse the performance of advanced solvent extraction processes.

Skills:
Advanced numerical, theoretical and computational methods. Problem solving. Taught/facilitated and assessed.

Content:

* Steps in catalytic reactions; rate expressions for catalytic reactions: Langmuir-Hinshelwood and Ely-Rideal; mass transfer in catalysis; catalyst deactivation and regeneration; analysis of reactor types: fixed bed, fluidised bed, slurry, monolith.
* Residence time distribution techniques and application to CSTR and PF reactors; non-ideal flow models: martial stagnation, by-pass, short-circuiting, segregated flow. CSTR and PF reactors in series and parallel, laminar flow and axial dispersion models.
* Selection and evaluation of alternative separation process routes and sequences. Selective adsorption; adsorbents; thermodynamic equilibria; kinetics. Batch, cyclic, continuous and pseudo steady-state processes. Examples of pressure and thermal swing gas and liquid phase separations. Adsorption column dynamics. Formulation of conservation and rate equations. Dilute, isothermal, plug flow and equilibrium-based assumptions. Non-equilibrium systems; constant pattern and linear driving force solutions.
* Membrane units and their applications in the process industries; reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. Ultrafiltration, microfiltration and the analysis of fouling. Membrane processes for gas separation; pervaporation. Electrodialysis and related processes.
* Thermodynamics of simple and complex crystallisation systems; phase diagrams. Kinetics of crystal nucleation and growth. Design and analysis of crystallisation equipment.
* Chemistry and engineering of reactive separation processes.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

CE40127 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Chemical Engineering
  • UECE-AFB03 : BEng (hons) Chemical and Bio Process Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UECE-AKB03 : BEng (hons) Chemical and Bio Process Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UECE-AFB05 : BEng (hons) Chemical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UECE-AKB05 : BEng (hons) Chemical Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UECE-AFM01 : MEng (hons) Biochemical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UECE-AKM01 : MEng (hons) Biochemical Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UECE-AFM05 : MEng (hons) Chemical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UECE-AKM05 : MEng (hons) Chemical Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.