6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Postgraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
Department of Chemical Engineering
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Assoc Professor Andrew Hoadley
Unit guides
Synopsis
The unit will cover the purpose and methods of modelling chemical and biochemical processes. It includes the development of constitutive relations, model building, evaluation and sensitivity analysis. Numerical techniques will include the solution of systems of linear, non-linear and algebraic equations. Models are subjected to optimisation.
The basic principles of optimisation including the types of variables, linear and non-linear models, constraints and objective functions will be covered. Various optimisation algorithms for linear, non-linear problems and mixed integer problems are presented in the context of chemical process design. Multi-objective optimisation is used to explore trade-offs involved with sustainable process development.
Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- generate models of chemical and biological processes respecting conservation laws, applying suitable constraints and constitutive relations and determine an appropriate solution algorithm
- assess complex models of chemical processes with an understanding of the mathematical structure of the model and the convergence methods used to obtain the model solution
- assess the appropriate optimisation strategy for linear, non-linear, unconstrained, constrained and mixed integer models from a fundamental understanding of functional and constraint convexity, or determine the appropriate evolutionary solution strategy when convexity is not assured
- demonstrate both single objective and multi-objective optimisation of process models to improve the process objective(s), which assess the sustainability of chemical processes using the life cycle assessment methodology.
Assessment
Continuous assessment: 50%
Final examination (2 hours): 50%
Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component 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.
Workload requirements
6 hours of contact time, which includes 2 hours of lectures and 4 hours of practice classes, and 6 hours of private study per week.
See also Unit timetable information