ChE 317 - Introduction to Chemical Engineering Analysis

Instructor:

Dr. R. Bruce Eldridge

CPE 4.408 rbeldr@che.utexas.edu
471-7067 PRC, 232-1407 CPE
Office Hours: Tu/Th 3:00 5:00 or by appointment

Teaching Assistants:

Bailee Roach / Wissam Charab

Grader:

Lindsey Rey

Tutor:

Mickey Phan

Class Hours:

MWF
F

Text:

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm CPE 2.216

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm ETC 2.136

R.M Felder, R.W. Rousseau, Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, 3rd

Edition. Wiley, 2005.

Course Website: http://utwired.engr.utexas.edu/che317/

Course Goals and Overview:
Material and Energy Balances form the foundation for nearly all future chemical engineering
courses and analysis. The process of account for mass and energy is akin to chemical
accounting and in this course we will learn how to formulate the balances that govern systems in
which mass and energy are exchanged. Included in this analysis are both reactive and nonreactive systems. An overview of physical behavior will be included to provide an introduction
to energy balances. Overall, this course will provide an introduction to the principles and
calculation techniques used in the field of Chemical Engineering as well as provide an exposure
of the various areas and facets of current Chemical Engineering research. This course is designed
to:
Provide you with the fundamentals of material and energy balances as applied to
chemical engineering to enable the analysis of a chemical process
Develop efficient methods of and life-long skills for problem solving through exercise
problems and thought experiments
Offer practice in defining problems, collecting data, analyzing data
Course Prerequisites:

One year of freshman mathematics (algebra, solutions of simultaneous equations,

quadratic equations, basic differentiation and integration, trigonometry and basic
geometry [areas and volumes of simple shapes]) M408C, M408D

Chemistry (stoichiometry, concept of mole, molecular weight, concentration, molarity,

molality, etc.; enthalpy of reaction, ideal gas law, pressure, absolute temperature)
Ch302, Ch204
Basic knowledge of statics and dynamics in physics (concepts of force, work, pressure,
kinetic energy, potential energy) Phys303 or high school physics
Spreadsheet calculations for solving systems of linear equations, function minimization,
and plotting ChE210
Time management skills to balance course load and reading assignments

Course Notes:
Lecture notes and study guides will be posted to the website. These lecture notes are designed in
a format for ease note-taking and allow for more time to think about the material rather than
spending the lecture trying to frantically copying the material from scratch
Grading:
Homework
Quizzes
Exams (4)
Final

15%
15 %
40 %
30 %

Final course grades will be assigned according to the gap system. In other words, the final
grade distribution for all students will be plotted and cut-offs for grades will be determined based
on breaks in the distribution. Thus, a students performance in the class is measured relative to
the performance of the remainder of the class.
Homework: Homework will be generally be due at the beginning of the specified lecture period
(usually a week from assigned date). Late homework will not be accepted. Your homework must
be neatly presented in the standard chemical engineering format. Homework may be group
projects, with one solution submitted by the group, or individual work. Homework problems are
graded with an emphasis on effort and setting up the problem. A homework formatting guide
will be provided on the class web site, please follow it for all homework.
Reading Assignments: At the end of each lecture, you will also be given a reading assignment.
Read the sections prior to the next lecture. Work the example problems and use the Key Ideas,
Key Words, Self Assessment Test, Thought Problems, and Discussion Questions in your textbook
as a guide to whether you have fully understood the material.
Quizzes: There will be unannounced quizzes of one or two questions held during the lecture
period. These quizzes are based on materials covered in reading assignments, classroom
discussions, and homework. You have one week after the quiz is returned to you to request for
re-grading.
Exams: Four exams will be given with the locations, dates, and times listed on the class web site.
You have one week after the exam is returned to you to request for re-grading. Re-grading
requests should be submitted in writing at the end of that lecture period. Review sessions will be
held before each of the exams.

Final Exam: The final exam will be comprehensive and will be given at the listed time and date.
The University of Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for
qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of
Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY.
Absences: No excuses for missed tests, exams, or quizzes will be accepted other than written
certified medical excuses or written letters on university letterhead for UT-related school
activities.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills Students Should Gain From this Course:
Familiarity with chemical process equipment
Exposure to systems analysis and concepts of unit operations
Ability to convert between different sets of units, to use the appropriate gravitational
conversion factor, and to distinguish between gauge and absolute pressures
Ability to write and balance chemical reaction equations
Ability to identify the excess and limiting reagents, and calculate the percent conversion
and yield of reactions
Ability to define steady state and distinguish between open and closed systems
Ability to solve material balances for systems with or without a chemical reaction; ability
to solve a number of interconnected units involving recycle, bypass, and purge
Ability to define an ideal gas, and calculate based on the perfect gas equation
Ability to apply Daltons and Amagats Laws for ideal gas mixtures
Ability to define vapor pressure, saturation, equilibrium, triple point, dew point, partial
saturation (humidity), etc.; ability to distinguish between wet and dry bulb temperatures
Ability to apply the phase rule
Ability to define heat, work, energy, enthalpy, etc.
Ability to estimate heat capacities and calculate enthalpy changes, with and without
phase changes
Ability to use steam tables
Ability to solve energy balances for open and closed systems, with or without chemical
reactions
Ability to solve simple combined material and energy balances (with or without chemical
reactions)
Ability to distinguish and calculate adiabatic and non-adiabatic problems
Ability to apply spreadsheet calculations to mass and energy balance problems
Exposure to library and reference data sources
Ability to work in groups
Chemical Engineering Program Outcomes Achieved:
1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and computing
2. An ability to apply and integrate the major elements of chemical engineering to solve
problems of analysis
3. An ability to participate effectively in team-oriented activities
4. An ability to learn to communicate effectively in written form

Impact on Subsequent Courses in Curriculum:

Virtually every subsequent ChE course requires material and energy balance concepts.
Additionally, properties of materials (gas laws, vapor pressures, etc.) are important in Ch322,
ChE322, ChE354, ChE350, ChE 363, and ChE473K
Academic Integrity:
The University has a strict policy on academic integrity. Any form of plagiarism or academic
dishonesty will NOT be tolerated in ChE 317. If you have any questions, please consult the
websites below:
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/clubmed/plgrism_cit.html
Failure to comply with the Universitys policy will result in a zero in the assignment and an F
for ChE 317.
Part 1: Introduction to Engineering Analysis
Introduction to Chemical Engineering
Introduction to Chemical Engineering Calculations
Processes and Process Variables

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

Part 2: Material Balances

Fundamentals of material balances
Problem solving definition and strategies
Material balances for single, unreactive units
Material balances accounting for reactions
Material balances for systems with reactions
Multi-unit processes with reactions
Material balances with recycle, bypass and purge

Chapter 4

Part 3: Behavior of Gases, Vapors, Liquids, and Solids

Single phase systems
Multiphase systems
Vapor pressure: Antoine, Cox Charts and steam tables
Saturation, condensation and vaporization
Partial saturation and humidity
Vapor-liquid equilibrium

Chapter 5
Chapter 6

Part 4: Energy Balances

Types of energy and related concepts (potential, internal, kinetic and
enthalpy changes, use of steam tables)
Basic non-reactive energy balances
Combined mass and energy balances with reactions

Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9