Reactor Design and Process Control

Code

CHEE3046

School

Chemical & Environmental Engineering

Level

3

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn Malaysia

Summary

Section A: This section applies chemical kinetics, as well as mass and heat balances, to the design of batch and elementary flow reactors, with an introduction to heterogeneous reactors. Emphasis will be placed on developing basic concepts that will then be used to analyse problems of increasing sophistication, including non-isothermal and catalytic reactors. Additionally, it aims to inspire students to approach reactor design with environmental and ethical awareness.

Section B: This section provides an appreciation of the dynamic behaviour of processes, the effects of servo and regulator problems on single-loop controllers, and the features and constraints on the choice of conventional process control instruments and equipment. It also covers the basis for process analysis and control system design using dynamic process models and dynamic simulations.

Target Students

Chemical & Environmental Engineering Year 3 Students

Classes

• One 2-hour tutorial each week for 10 weeks
• One 2-hour practicum each week for 7 weeks
• Two 2-hour lectures each week for 12 weeks

Assessment

• 40% Coursework: 2 Courseworks
• 60% Final Written Exam (3-hour): 3 hours

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Module Learning Outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this module will be able to:
i. Apply mass and energy balances to formulate reactor design equations for specific requirements.
ii. Utilize kinetics and flow rates, incorporating conversion (stoichiometry) into reactor design equations.
iii. Extend steady-state operations to accommodate multiple reactions and reactor sequences.
iv. Develop and analyse transfer functions and signal block diagrams for dynamic processes and single-loop control systems.
v. Demonstrate an understanding of both steady-state and dynamic behaviour in processes, and develop the ability to identify and analyse process response.
vi. Formulate mathematical models for dynamic processes using energy and material balances.
vii. Perform process response analysis, controller tuning, and performance evaluation using empirical models and dynamic simulations.
viii. Appreciate control strategies, control algorithms, and control loop stability in a dynamic system.
ix. Recognize the features and constraints affecting the choice of conventional process control instruments and safety devices for process safety purposes.

UK PO
A2.1.2 Be proficient in applying these principles to problems involving fluid flow, heat transfer, mass transfer and reaction engineering. To understand the influence of hydrodynamic, heat and mass transfer and kinetics on the design of reactors.
A2.1.3 Be able to apply the principles to the analysis of complex systems within a structured approach to safety, health and sustainability. 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. 
A2.1.4 Different types of process, including continuous and batch; chemical processes and bioprocesses. Consider different types of processes, advantages and limitations and scope of applications for each type of reactor.
A2.1.5 Different time scales: short and long periods; steady and unsteady state   
A2.2.5 Understand the principles of chemical reaction and reactor engineering.
Apply basic concepts of reactor engineering to concrete cases of increasing complexity.  
A4.2.11.1 Detail design of control systems based on process dynamics
A2.5.1 Understand the principles of batch and continuous operation and criteria for process selection. 
A2.5.3 Understand system dynamics, being able to determine the dynamic response to changes in a process, design measurement and control functions, and determine its performance. 
A2.6.5 Be aware of specialist aspects of safety and environmental issues, such as noise, hazardous area classification, relief and blowdown, fault tree analysis. 
A2.3.3 Be able to select and adapt computational and analytical techniques to tackle complex problems. 
A2.5.4 Be able to apply digital techniques to solving chemical engineering problems.

EAC PO
PO1 : Engineering Knowledge - Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, computing and chemical engineering fundamentals, and an chemical engineering specialization as specified in WK1 to WK4 respectively to develop solutions to complex engineering problems
PO2: Problem Analysis - Identify, formulate, research literature and analyze complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences and chemical engineering sciences with holistic considerations for sustainable development (WK1 to WK4)

PO3: Design/Development of Solutions - Design creative solutions for complex engineering problems and design chemical engineering systems, components or processes to meet identified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, whole-life cost, net zero carbon as well as resource, cultural, societal, and environmental consirations as required (WK5);

PO5:Tool Usage - Create, select and apply, and recognize limitation of appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools, including prediction and modelling, to complex engineering problems, (WK2 and WK6);
 

Conveners

• Dr Sze Pheng Ong
• Dr Yi Jing Chan