CE40168: Micro-process engineering
[Page last updated: 06 September 2022]
| Academic Year: | 2022/23 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Chemical Engineering |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
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| Assessment Summary: | EX 100% |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
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| Learning Outcomes: | After successfully completing this unit students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and theories relating to fluid behaviour when confined in micrometre scale channels; be able to derive the key transport equations used to describe fluid flow in microchannels; demonstrate an understanding of the different methods used to mix and separate fluids in microchannels, and of the principles of electro-hydrodynamic transport of fluids in microchannels. Students should be able to analyze and design single, multiphase, and integrated micro-reactors, as well as to provide the optimal microfabrication solution for various micro-reactor designs. |
| Aims: | To provide students with in-depth knowledge of the various aspects of Micro Process Engineering ranging from the fundamentals of engineering methods, transport processes, reactions, and fluid dynamics to device conception, modelling, and issues of modularity and compatibility. To give a critical analysis of how transport phenomena and reactions are affected by confinement in micrometre size channels, and how to exploit this for the development of highly efficient and controlled reactors and devices for the bulk and fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industry. To introduce fabrication strategies and techniques focusing on the fabrication of suitable microcomponents from various materials such as metals, polymers, silicon, ceramics and glass. |
| Skills: | Acquisition and critical assessment of technical information in micro-process engineering. Taught, facilitated and assessed. |
| Content: | Introduction to microfluidics, scaling laws in microfluidics, hydrodynamics of microfluidic systems, diffusion, mixing and separation in microsystems, electro-hydrodynamics of microfluidic systems, and introduction to nanofluidics. Fundamentals of methods and materials for microfabrication. Heat transfer by conduction and convection in microstructures (conductive and convective heat transfer of laminar flow in microchannels of various geometries), design issues for microstructured heat exchangers (fouling of microchannels, and thermal conductivity of the walls between microchannels). Chemical engineering methods for continuous flow micro-reactor design (parallel competitive-concurrent reactions, and particle technology in microchannels, reactions with mass and heat transfer). |
| Programme availability: |
CE40168 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Chemical Engineering
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