Overview
Chemical Process Principles develops the quantitative methods used to formulate, analyze, and evaluate chemical engineering processes. Students translate verbal process descriptions into process-flow diagrams, select calculation bases, establish degrees of freedom, and formulate steady-state and selected transient material and energy balances for nonreactive and reactive systems.
Topics include units and dimensions, process-flow diagrams, material balances with chemical reaction, recycle, bypass and purge systems, phase equilibria, sensible and latent heat, heat capacities, enthalpies of formation, reaction enthalpies, combustion calculations, process efficiency, and utility requirements. Spreadsheet and computational methods are used to solve coupled multivariable problems and assess dimensional, physical, and numerical consistency.
The course emphasizes responsible use of thermodynamic data, explicit documentation of assumptions, process safety, sustainability, resource efficiency, and professional engineering judgment. Students communicate calculations and interpret process results in an engineering context.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply consistent units, dimensions, bases, and sign conventions to chemical process calculations.
- Construct and interpret process-flow diagrams from verbal descriptions of chemical processes.
- Formulate and solve degrees-of-freedom analyses for steady-state process systems.
- Solve coupled material balances for nonreactive and reactive systems, including recycle, bypass, and purge configurations.
- Evaluate phase-equilibrium relationships and select appropriate assumptions for process calculations.
- Calculate sensible and latent heat effects using heat capacities and thermodynamic enthalpy data.
- Determine reaction enthalpies and combustion energy requirements from formation enthalpies and related thermodynamic data.
- Analyze steady-state and selected transient material and energy balances using spreadsheets or computational tools.
- Evaluate process efficiency, utility requirements, resource use, and sustainability implications.
- Verify dimensional, physical, and numerical consistency in process models and results.
- Document assumptions, data sources, methods, and limitations in accordance with professional engineering practice.
- Communicate process analyses clearly through annotated flowsheets, structured calculations, tables, and technical explanations.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Lab | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Short computational quizzes (5 × 2%). | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Process-flow diagrams, basis selection, and degrees-of-freedom analysis. | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Reactive balances, recycle systems, and spreadsheet modeling. | 20.00% |
| Test | Mid-semester test on material balances and process analysis. | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Energy balance and thermodynamic data analysis. | 10.00% |
| Capstone | Integrated process efficiency, safety, and sustainability analysis. | 10.00% |
| Exam | Final examination covering material and energy balances. | 15.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
