Learner Guide

Faculty:
Department:
Course:
Module:
Lecturers:
Year:

Engineering and Technology

Chemical Engineering

N.Dip. Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering Technology III

Module II (EHCIY 3C)
L. Lerotholi and W. Weber
Semester 2 - 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
PART I: Module Information
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10

Introduction
Module Outline
General Module Outcomes
Pre-requisites
Study Approach
Duty of the lecturer
Duty of the student
Contacts
Learning Material
Assessment and assessment Plan

1
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
3
4

PART II: Learning Units

2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7

Learning Unit I: Transfer processes (An Introduction)

Learning Unit II: Distillation
Learning Unit III: DRYING
Learning Unit IV: Evaporation
Learning Unit V: Crystallisation
Learning Unit VI: Leaching and Liquid-Liquid extraction
Learning Unit VII: Fluid flow

6
6
7
8
9
10
11

PART I: Module Information

1.1 Introduction
Chemical technology III Mod II is geared towards equipping students with the necessary
skills to apply mass, energy and momentum transfer knowledge in existing separation
processes. Separation processes form the bulk of processes found in industrial plants
and they can consume about 80 % of the energy required in the plant. Hence proper
understanding of these processes is imperative.
In this module Graphical and Numerical techniques are used extensively in problem
solving. At this stage the student is expected to have a good handle of mathematics,
chemistry and physics. The pre-requisite for the course is Chemical Technology II where
the student is expected to have learned and mastered mass and energy transfer theory.
In Chemical Technology III Module I, this theory was then applied to some separation
processes; and these will be carried out in depth in this module.
Application of the knowledge acquired in the module is assessed via the Practicals
component of the course. Which when completed successfully will ensure that the
student has mastered the engineering concepts conveyed in the module. As such, the
calculation of the year mark of the student encompasses this significant component
(Refer to Section 1.10).

1.2

Module Outline
The detailed version is presented under PART II of the study guide

1.3

Introduction to transfer processes (separation processes)

Distillation
Drying
Evaporation
Crystallisation
Leaching and Liquid-Liquid Extraction
Fluid Flow

General module outcomes

Individual Learning Unit outcomes are specified under PART II of the study guide

Overall, on completion of this course the student should be able to:

Apply mass and energy balance principles to calculate heat and mass transfer
in different mass transfer operations
Explain the mass transfer processes in distillation, evaporation,
crystallization, extraction and drying.
Identify the driving force in each separation process
Relate the theoretical aspects of mass transfer processes to those that are
encountered in daily life and the industrial ones.

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1.4

Pre-requisites

The student should have passed

Chemical Technology II
Chemical Technology III Mod I
The student is assumed to have a good knowledge of:
Mathematics: Algebra, Logarithms, Functions and their graphical
solutions and Calculus etc.
Physics: Fluid Dynamics, Momentum transfer etc.
Thermodynamics: Equilibrium, Ideal and non-Ideal systems,
Equations of State, Isothermal flow, Polytrophic expansion etc.
1.5

Study approach

It is important that the student attend all lectures, study the prescribed text and
summary notes provided by the lecturer, do all tutorials and attend all tutorial sessions,
assignments and homework and make use of other resources in the library, laboratory
and any study centres.
Most students who succeed in the course are those who form study groups or
discussions groups; there they deliberate on the subject matters and discuss the
tutorials etc. It must be noted though that the study groups work best if all students
attempt the problems on their own first. The group discussions should not replace
individual work.
Should the student(s) come across any hurdles with the subject, they can approach the
lecturer who makes available extra consultation hours outside of the normal lecture
hours. Please talk to your lecturer on the consultation times.

1.6

It is of utmost importance that the study groups do not replace individual

work
The lecturer makes available consultation hours outside of the normal
lecture hours in order to clarify concepts and any difficulties with tutorials
and assignments; it should be noted that these times will NOT be used to
present the lecture again
The lecturer will schedule tutorial sessions where the students will be helped
by tutors to solve the tutorial problems. Please note that the tutors are there
to clarify the problems and attend to any hurdles the student comes across
when attempting to solve the problems, and NOT to solve the problems for
the student.
Duty of the Lecturer
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The lecturer:
Works as a facilitator and guide.
Makes available the information/material necessary for students to achieve the
module outcomes.
Provides necessary consultation hours in order to clarify misunderstood
concepts to the student; however the lecturer shall not spoon-feed the
student
1.7

Duty of the student

The student:
Should take responsibility for his/her own learning.
Should constantly refer to the learner guide for clarification on what they are
expected to know.
Should read all the learning material and attend all lectures and tutorial sessions
Should keep up-dated on all test, examination and submission dates and any
other announcements made by the lecturer.
1.8

Contacts

Vandebijlpark campus:
Name
Office Number
Lecturer: Ms L Lerotholi RE114, RE Block
Secretary: Ms R Visagie RE106, RE Block

Email
lerotholi@vut.ac.za
rethav@vut.ac.za

Secunda campus:
Name
Office Number Email
Lecturer: Mr W Weber
_____________ willieweber@hotmail.com
Secretary: Ms S Mkhwanazi _____________ sylvia@vut.ac.za

1.9

Learning material

Prescribed Textbook:
Chemical Engineering Volume 2- 5th edition, Coulson & Richardson (CR2)
Recommended textbook:
Unit operations in chemical engineering, by McCabe WM, McGraw Hill
Further reading material:
Notes will be provided by the lecturer and made available to students via
SAKAI (my VUT)
Chemical Engineering Volume 1- 5th edition, Coulson & Richardson (CR1)

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Bibliography:
1. Richardson. J. F., Harker. J. H., Backhurst. J. R. (2002). Coulson and
Richardsons Chemical engineering. Volume 2. 5th Edition. Elsivier Ltd.
United Kingdom
2. McCabe. W. L., Smith. J. C., Harriott. P. (2005). Unit Operations of
Chemical Engineering. 7th Edition. McGraw-Hill. New York
3. Richardson. J. F., Harker. J. H., Backhurst. J. R. (2002). Coulson and
Richardsons Chemical engineering. Volume 1. 5th Edition. Elsivier Ltd.
United Kingdom

1.10 Assessment and Assessment plan

The examination consists of 13 hour paper.
A minimum year mark of 50% is required to write the examination.
The year mark will comprise 70% of the average of 2 semester tests, plus
30% of the practical, assignment and/or quizzes and/or project mark.
The student has to achieve and average mark of 50% for the final mark in
order to pass the module, with a minimum mark of 40% exam mark.
All semester tests as well as practical and project are compulsory. In the
event that a student misses a test due to illness, a medical certificate, which
states that the student was booked off sick, must be produced within a day
after the student is declared fit to return to classes. No other excuses will be
accepted for not writing a test on the specified dates, unless prior
arrangements have been made with the lecture one week before the
specified date.
STUDENTS WHO ARE WORKING SHIFTS MUST ARRANGE WITH THEIR
EMPLOYERS TO WRITE THE TESTS ON THE SPECIFIED DATES AND TIMES.
Students who miss a practical session will be given a mark of 0 for that
practical
There will only be one Sick Test for students who missed any test during
the semester and produced valid medical certificates. This test will be
written at the end of the semester and will include all the work done up to
date.
PLAGIARISM will lead to disqualification and further disciplinary action
may be taken.

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 = 70% (Two Tests) + 20% (Practical)

+ 10%(Assignment/ Quizzes/ Project)
= 50% (Year Mark) + 50% (Exam Mark)

Important Dates!!!
Vanderbijlpark campus:
Assessment
Date
Test 1
12th Sept 2016
Test 2
17th Oct 2016
Sick Test
To be confirmed
Quizzes/
Announced in class
Assignment/
Project

Venue
GW 003
GW 003
To be confirmed
GW206/GW305 (May
change)

Time
0800 1100 hrs.
0800 1100 hrs.
To be confirmed
Announced in
class

Module Schedule (Please note that this may change with student progress):
Vanderbijlpark campus:
Time
Date
period
1st Week
1st Aug 5th Aug
nd
2 Week
8th Aug 12th Aug
3rd Week
15th Aug 19th Aug
4th Week
22nd Aug 26th Aug
5th Week
29th Aug 2nd Sept
6th Week
5th Sept 9th Sept
7th Week
12th Sept 16th Sept
8th Week
19th Sept 23rd Sept
9th Week
26th Sept 30th Sept
th
10 Week
3rd Oct 7th Oct
11th Week
10th Oct 14th Oct
12th Week
17th Oct 21st Oct
13th Week
24th Oct 28th Oct
EXAMS!!!
4th Nov 25th Nov
EXAMS!!!
2nd Dec 15th Dec

Learning Unit
Learning unit 1 (3rd Elections)
Learning unit 2 ( 8th and 9th Holidays)
Learning unit 2
Learning unit 2+3
Learning unit 3
Learning unit 4 (8th Graduations)
Learning unit 4 [TEST 1]
Learning Unit 4 +5
Learning Unit 5
VUT HOLIDAY
Learning Unit 5+6
Learning Unit 6 [TEST 2]
Learning Unit 7+ Revision
1st Opportunity Exams
2nd Opportunity Exams

*Please enquire for the Secunda module schedule from the respective lecturer

PART II: Learning Units

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(All references to any text refer to the prescribed textbook unless otherwise stated)

2.1

Learning Unit I: Transfer processes (An Introduction)

Content
Introduction to transfer processes

Answer the following:

Name a process that exhibits the separation of solids
Relate a process that requires the separation of two (or more) immiscible
solvents
Give an example of a process that requires the separation of two (or more)
miscible solvents
Distillation, Liquid-Liquid Extraction and Freezing may all be used to
separate miscible solvents; when would you opt for one over the other?
Evaporation, Drying and Filtration involve the removal a solvent (say water)
from a solute; when would you opt for one over the other?
Expected Outcomes:
After studying this section you should be able to:
Relate the fundamentals of transport phenomena
Understand the principles of mass transfer operations

2.2

Learning Unit II: Distillation

Content
Basic concepts of distillation
Application of mass transfer on distillation columns and formulation of operating lines
McCabe Thiele Method
Lewis Sorrel Method
Batch Distillation
The process
Operation at constant product composition
Operation at constant product reflux
Ponchon Savarit Method

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 Go through the following examples:

Example 11.7, Example 11.8, Example 11.12, Example 11.13, Example 11.10 and
11.11
Attempt the Tutorial

Expected Outcomes:
After studying the section below you must be able to:
Carry out mass balances over distillation columns
Calculate the number of theoretical plates using MCabe Thiele, Lewis Sorel
and Ponchon Savarit methods.
Determine equations of operating lines and feed point from operating
parameters

2.3

Learning Unit III: DRYING

Content
Methods of Drying
- Tray or shelf dryers
- Drum dryers
- Rotary dryers
- Spray Dryers
- Disc Dryers
- Tunnel Dryers
- Pneumatic Dryers
- Fluidized bed Dryers
- Turbo-shelf Dryers
- Solvent drying
- Superheated steam drying
- Freeze drying
Principles of drying
- Equilibrium moisture content
- Dry weight basis
- Free moisture content
- Rate of drying

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Calculations
- constant rate period
- falling rate period

Go through the following examples:

Example 16.1 and 16.2
Attempt the Tutorial
Expected outcomes:
After studying the section below you must be able to:
Calculate the drying time
Derive the equation for drying
Explain the theory of the different dryers

2.4

Learning Unit IV: Evaporation

Content
Introduction
Heat transfer in evaporators
Multiple-Effect Evaporators
- Temperature difference driving force t
- Apparent temperature difference
- Boiling point rise due to material in solution
- Raoults law
- Boiling point rise due to hydro static head
- Standard overall coefficients
Equipment for evaporation
Evaporator selection
- Evaporator with direct heating
- Natural circulation evaporator
- Forced evaporator
- Film type units
- Thin layer evaporators
- Plate type units
- Flash evaporators
- Auxiliary Equipment

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 Go through the following examples:

Example 14.1, Example 14.2A and 14.2B
Attempt the Tutorial

Expected Outcomes
After studying the section below you must be able to:
Calculate temperatures of different effects of multiple-effect evaporators
Explain the operating principles of multiple evaporators
Calculate the heat transfer area

2.5

Learning Unit V: Crystallisation

Content
Crystallization from melt
Fractional crystallization
Water of crystallization
Growth and properties of crystal
- saturation
- nucleation and supersaturation
- crystallization rate
- effect of impurities
- effect of temperature
- caking of crystals

Go through the following examples:

Example 15.3 and Example 15.9
Attempt the Tutorial

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Expected Outcomes:
After studying the section below you must be able to:
Describe crystallization process
Describe different types of crystallization
Calculate crystal yield and percentage of water of crystallization

2.6

Learning Unit VI: Leaching and Liquid-Liquid extraction

Content
General principles of extraction processes
Factors influencing rate of extraction
Ternary systems
Mass transfer in extraction operations
Counter current washing
Calculation of number of stages
Batch processes
Counter current washing

Go through the following examples:

Example 10.1, Example 10.2, Example 10.3, Example 10.5, Example 13.1,
Example 13.2
Attempt the Tutorial

Expected Outcomes:
After studying the section below you must be able to:
Calculate the time taken for leaching using mass transfer principles
Explain the different equipment used in leaching and liquid0liquid
extraction
Calculate the number of stages required for leaching and liquid-liquid
extraction

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2.7

Learning Unit VII: Fluid flow

Content
Introduction
Single-phase flow
Two-phase flow

Attempt the Tutorial

Expected Outcomes:
After studying the section below you must be able to:
Apply the conservation of energy principle to calculate fluid flow
parameters in incompressible and compressible fluids
Derive the equation for compressible fluid mass/volume flow rate at a
point.

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