Process Engineering Laboratories

Code

CHEE3042

School

Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineeri

Level

3

Credits

10

Semesters

Autumn China

Summary

Students will be set a laboratory-based problem. They will be expected to carry out a process and risk assessment on the experiment on which there will be a formative assessment. They are required to plan and design experiments to collect data required to solve the problem, analyse the data and adapt their experimental plan between the laboratory sessions (assessed by formal group assessments). They will work in groups but write individual reports covering process and risk assessment, experimental procedures and the descriptions and discussions of the experimental results.
Requisites:
CHEE1023    Fluid Mechanics
CHEE1040    Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
CHEE1041    Process Engineering Principles
CHEE2051    Separation and Particle Technology
 

Target Students

Student registered in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering only

Classes

• One 3-hour seminar
• One 7-hour-30-minute practicum each week for 9 weeks
• One 3-hour lecture each week for 2 weeks

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester.

Assessment

• 30% Formal group assessment: Three oral group assessment (10% per assessment) enquiring knowledge about process and risk assessment (session 1 only), planning of experiments (session 2 and 3 only), and data analysis of previous lab sessions (session 3 only).
• 70% Individual Report: Written report covering safety, experimental design, experimental results and discussions.

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

A2. Core Chemical Engineering 
A2.1 Introduction
It is desirable that throughout the programme the students should gain an understanding of the broad range of applications of the principles and develop the ability to analyse, model quantitatively and synthesise at the appropriate scale. The applications should include:
A2.1.4 Different types of process, including continuous and batch; chemical processes and bioprocesses.
A2.1.5 Different time scales: short and long periods; steady and unsteady state.
A2.1.6 Different physical scales: from molecular level to large scale continuous.
Demonstrated by the ability to analyse the laboratory project and client brief, research background information, and plan their laboratory work on bench and pilot scale over a period of several laboratory sessions. As evidenced by a compulsory laboratory plan submission and oral assessment that requires the students to present their understanding and laboratory plan.
A2.2 Fundamentals
A2.2.1 Understand the principles of material and energy balances and be able to apply them to chemical engineering problems.
A2.2.2 Understand the principles of momentum, heat and mass transfer, and application to problems involving flowing fluids and multiple phases.
A2.2.3 Understand the thermodynamic and transport properties of fluids, solids and multiphase systems.
Demonstrated by planning laboratory sessions along parameter and experiment selection (e.g. Determining experimental methodology, conditions to conduct experiment, e.g. temperature, concentrations, pressure and ranges) under different conditions, and evaluating system and material properties (and limitations). This includes evaluating the relevance of above fundamentals for the given chemical engineering problems and selecting and applying accurate analysis and calculations. As evidenced by presentation and discussion of laboratory planning and data analysis at compulsory oral assessments and description and application as part of the final coursework submission.

A2.3 Mathematical Modeling and Quantitative Methods
A2.3.1 Be familiar with the application and limitations of a range of modelling approaches including first-principles models, simple empirical correlations, and artificial intelligence approaches. 
Demonstrated by statistical and error analysis of laboratory data and their interpretation. Also demonstrated as part of design of experiment approach. As evidenced by presentation and discussion of laboratory planning and data analysis at compulsory oral assessments and description and application as part of the final coursework submission.
A2.4 Process and Product Technology
A2.4.1 Understand the most widely used unit operations of separation and mixing; particle technology; equipment sizing and performance; biological systems.
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.
A2.4.4 Understand and be able to quantify the effect of processing steps on the state of the material being processed, and its transformation to the end product in terms of its composition, morphology and functionality.
Demonstrated by applying chemical (kinetic and thermodynamic) principles to plan and perform experiments investigating effects of e.g., mixing, adsorption, reactivity (reaction kinetics and catalysis); evaluating and analysing the properties of the end products by analysis instruments/techniques e.g., gas chromatography, UV-Vis spectroscopy, titration, refractive index; testing the performance of a separation, mixing, or adsorption unit (e.g. absorption column, filtration unit, mixer) or materials (catalysts, absorbents) for a given application; selecting or rejecting methods of relevance to the problem statement. As evidenced by presentation and discussion of laboratory planning and data analysis at compulsory oral assessments and description and application as part of the final coursework submission.
A2.6 Process Safety
A2.6.1 Be able to identify the principal hazard sources in chemical and related processes (including biological hazards)
A2.6.2 Understand the principles of safety and loss prevention,  and their application to inherently safe design.
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.
A2.6.4 Be able to apply systematic methods for identifying process hazards (eg HAZOP), and for assessing the range of consequences (eg impact on people, environmental reputation, financial, security).
Demonstrated by analysing the laboratory procedures and documentation and producing a  HAZID/HAZOP documentation of the experimental process. Updating the safety assessment throughout the course and suggesting improvements and updates. As evidenced by a compulsory HAZID/HAZOP submission and oral presentation and assessment. Also evidenced in H&S discussion element as part of the final coursework. 
A3. Chemical Engineering Practice
A3.2.1 Understand the commercial, economic and social context of engineering processes
A3.2.3 Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice, recognising the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion 
A3.2.9. Have a knowledge and understanding of laboratory practice, and ability to operate bench (or larger) scale chemical engineering equipment.
A3.2.10 Be able to design, plan and undertake experimental or plant work and critically interpret, analyse and report on experimental data.
A3.2.11 Be able to find and apply, with judgement, information from technical literature and other sources.
A3.2.15 Have undertaken research and/or development project work that provides opportunities for: application of research methods, including structured design of experimental work; originality and experience in dealing with uncertainty and new concepts and/or applications.
Demonstrated by establishing a detailed experimental plan as a group to prove a hypothesis/ to show efficiency/to compare materials/systems etc; Conduct literature research to support hypothesis and analysis; conduct experiments on bench/large scale chemical engineering equipment; identify and work with the brief and its general relevance, and wider concepts the methodologies of the brief sit in; working as a group supporting strength, weaknesses, and diversity, background knowledge, and ways of working of each other. As evidenced by presentation and discussion of laboratory planning and data analysis at compulsory group oral assessments, with room for contributions by all students, and description and application as part of the final coursework submission.

A5. Embedded Learning
A5.2.1 Have developed a wide range of problem-solving skills.
A5.2.2 Have developed a range of effective communication skills including written reports and presentations.
A5.2.3 Recognise the importance of working inclusively and effectively with others from a diverse range of backgrounds and have acquired a range of experience in achieving this.
A5.2.7 Recognise the importance of project planning and time management and have acquired a range of experience in achieving these.
Demonstrated by the laboratory preparation and work focusing on independent learning and problem based learning approaches. Also demonstrated by team preparation and team-work in the laboratory, effective note taking and project planning. As evidenced by effective laboratory planning as demonstrated in the laboratory work and during pre-assessment sessions discussing the laboratory plan and previous data analysis. Also evidenced by preparation of summaries (verbal) and final individual lab reports (end-point assessment).
 

Conveners

• Dr Mengxia Xu