CHE3166 - Process design - 2017

This unit will develop four important inter-related themes associated with the detailed design of chemical equipment and processes. These themes are process safety, mechanical integrity, equipment selection, and process operability (including piping and instrumentation). These themes will be developed using a mixture of lectures and project-orientated learning activities, which will involve computer simulation and at least one plant visit.

At the successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Identify and measure the main hazards associated with chemical engineering; and understand the nature, the causes, the effects and the prevention or mitigation of these hazards through the design.
2. Select the appropriate materials of construction, including corrosion considerations (and corrosion mitigation) for a specific processing environment.
3. Design fully a process vessel, which includes the selection of the type of vessel, the ability to conduct simplified stress analysis on a thin-walled pressure vessel, to calculate the combined loading on the vessel (or vessel support) to provide a complete mechanical design specification including engineering drawings.
4. Design fully a heat exchanger, which includes the selection of the type of exchanger, sizing of the heat exchanger and to optimise the heat exchanger layout for a particular application.
5. Design a P&I diagram for a continuous process including details of the piping and control system and determine the instrumentation required for operating a continuous process, under normal and abnormal operations, including emergency shutdown and be able to communicate this on a P&I diagram.
6. Describe the role of the chemical engineer in the detailed design of a project and his/her relationship to other engineers and professions who might also be involved.
7. Appreciate through open-ended projects, an understanding of the design process involving creativity, scope for optimisation, the need for attention to detail. Through team activities develop positive attitudes to teamwork and leadership skills.

Assignments/Tests/Laboratory: 50% + Examination (2 hours): 50%

Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component (assignments, and mid-semester exam) and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.

3 hours lectures, 2 hours practice sessions and 6 hours of private study per week

See also Unit timetable information

Professor Sankar Bhattacharya

CHE2163, CHE2164

CHE3109