ChE 3323: Chemical Reaction Engineering Spring 2016

Course information
Instructor

Dr. Carla Lacerda

Office

LIV 219

Phone

Office: 742-4089

Email

Carla.Lacerda@ttu.edu

Office Hours

F 1 3 pm

Time/Place

Lectures:

T-Thu

9:30 - 10:50

LIV 101

Discussion: W

10:00 - 10:50

PETR 116

Discussion: W

11:00 - 11:50

PETR 116

Teaching Assistants Xinmei Wang

Rafikul Islam

xinmei.wang@ttu.edu

LIV 218

rafikul.islam@ttu.edu

W 2-3
LIV 221

F 10-11
Yong Joon Lee

yong-joon.lee@ttu.edu

CHE 109

M 11-12

Catalogue Listing

Prerequisites: ChE 3322 and ChE 3326. An introduction to the kinetics of

chemical conversion processes and the design of chemical reactors.

Text

Scott Fogler, Essentials of Chemical Reaction Engineering, 2011, 1st edition.

(ISBN 978-0-13-714612-3)

Required Software MATLAB; free to all students from TTU Campus Site License

Expected Knowledge and Skills

Calculus (differentiation, integration) and differential equations

General physics, chemistry and introductory physical chemistry

Transport processes (fluid flow, heat and mass transfer)

Chemical engineering thermodynamics

Basic computer literacy (Excel, use of a mathematical software e.g., Matlab, HYSYS)

Expected Outcomes and Assessment

Students will have the ability to:

Determine reaction rates and mole balances, write balance equations and size reactors in terms of
conversion, write rate laws and stoichiometry (Exam 1)

Combine reactors and reactions to design isothermal continuous and batch reactors, analyze
kinetic data, solve engineering problems involving multiple reactions (Exam 2)

Design enzymatic and catalytic reactors, nonisothermal PFRs, CSTRs and batch reactors (only
assessed on the comprehensive final exam)

Each outcome will be separately assessed using grades on exams. Expected minimum grades to meet
outcomes: C or better on each exam.
Topics to Be Covered

Stoichiometry of single and multiple chemical reactions

Definitions and forms of reaction rate expressions

Design of chemical reactors with single and multiple reactions

Determination of kinetic parameters

Enzymatic reactions and heterogeneous catalysis

Isothermal and nonisothermal reactor design

Topics and/or dates may be changed during the semester at the instructors discretion because of
scheduling issues, developments in the discipline, or other contingencies.

Grading
The homework assignments will largely assess your computational skills, whereas the exams will
assess your thinking capabilities. While homework will help you solve reactor modeling problems
introduced in class, exam questions will focus on interpretation of reactor problems. An extra credit
simulation project may be introduced at the end of the semester at the instructors discretion.
There will be two midterms and a final exam. Each exam will account for 30 points of the final grade.
Total exam scores will amount to 90 points of the final grade. 10 points of the final grade will be
distributed to homework. The top ten homework grades will be considered in the final grade.
The final exam will be comprehensive, covering all the material taught in the course. The final grade will
be assigned as follows: A = 88-100%; B = 75-87%; C = 63-74%; D = 50-62%; F = < 50%. Students will
only pass the course with a C or better.

Exams
Exam dates are as follows: Feb 25, Apr 07, May 13 (final, 7:30 am). All exams are closed book; an
equation sheet will be provided with the exam. The equation sheet will not be provided in advance. Any
requests for regrades on exams must be in writing and must be received within two days of the exams
return; the reason for the regrade must be fully explained.

Homework
Twelve homework assignments will be posted on Blackboard during the semester and they are due on
Tuesdays as scheduled (Feb 02, Feb 09, Feb 16, Feb 23, Mar 08, Mar 22, Mar 29, Apr 05, Apr 19,
Apr 26, May 03, May 10). Homework will be collected at the beginning of class. Two homework
assignments with the lowest grades will be discarded in the calculation of the final grade.
Homework assignments should be submitted in a neat, clean form. Sloppy, illegible work will not be
graded. Only selected problems may be graded. Although discussing the solution of homework with
friends is permitted, you have to submit your own work. Use of mathematical software (Excel, Matlab,

etc.) is required. However, you have to indicate clearly the equations you solve, provide the initial and
boundary conditions, label all graphs and attach a listing of the computer code and outputs.

Professor Absence
The TAs will run the discussion sessions. The TAs will also run lectures whenever the instructor is
absent due to other professional commitments.

Ethical Conduct
It is expected that students do homework and exams on their own. Copying other people work or from
any other source, including the web, and submitting it as your own work constitutes unethical behavior
and is grounds for dismissal from the university. If you are caught cheating, you will receive a zero for
the work in question on the first infraction; you will fail the course for subsequent infractions.
Violations of academic integrity standards will be subjected to disciplinary sanctions according to
University policy: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentjudicialprograms/academicinteg.php

Classroom Policy
1. Laptop or tablet use is not allowed in class. Cell phones must be silent. Use of cell phones in class is
absolutely banned. You will be asked to leave if found texting or using a cellular phone.
2. All students are expected to come to class alert and ready to participate. Eating, sleeping, reading
newspapers, and doing homework for other classes is not allowed during class. Inappropriate behavior
in the classroom shall result in a request to leave the class. Disruptive or unprofessional behavior will not
be tolerated. Repeat offenses may result in referral to the Dean's office.
3. Graphing and programmable calculators will not be allowed during exams. Exchange of calculators is
not allowed. All personal belongings will be left at the front of the classroom before exams start. Leaving
the room is not allowed during exams. Exams are supposed to be left face down on students desk once
completed.
4. Attendance in all class periods is mandatory. Instructor will record attendance as needed. Students will
only be permitted to make up exams missed because of documented medical reasons or mandatory
religious obligations. No excuses for missed exams will be accepted after the fact. Students will not be
allowed to make up exams that they miss due to unjustified absence or personal reasons. Homework,
which is due at the beginning of class, cannot be turned in late due to absence.

Standard Texas Tech Policies that Apply to the Course

1. Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements to meet the course
requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements. Students should
present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructors office hours.
Please note instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until
verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. You may contact the Student Disability
Services office at 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405.
2. Any student absent for a religious holiday should make that intention known prior to the absence and
shall make up missed exams in accordance with Texas Tech Operating Policy 34.19.

3. Students will foster a spirit of academic integrity, and they will not present work as their own that was not
honestly performed by them. The attempt of students to present as their own any work that they have
not performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and renders the
offenders liable to serious consequences. For a complete description see Texas Tech Operating Policy
34.12.

Tentative Schedule
Date

Lecture topic and objectives

21-Jan

Matlab and Math Skills

26-Jan

Ch 1 - Reaction rates, types of reactors

28-Jan

Ch 1 - General mole balances

02-Feb

Ch 2 - Conversion, Levenspiel plots

04-Feb

Ch 2 - Design equations, reactors in series

09-Feb

Ch 3 - Rate laws

11-Feb

Ch 4 - Stoichiometry

16-Feb

Ch 5 - Design structure batch reactors

18-Feb

Ch 5 - Design structure flow reactors

23-Feb

Ch 5 Conversion-based reactor design review

25-Feb

Exam 1

01-Mar

Ch 5 - Pressure drop

03-Mar

Ch 6 - Molar flow rate-based reactor design

08-Mar

Ch 6 - Special reactors

10-Mar

Ch 7 - Finding rate law parameters

22-Mar

Ch 8 Multiple reactions algorithm

24-Mar

Ch 8 Reactions in series and in parallel

29-Mar

Ch 8 Complex reactions

31-Mar

Ch 9 Nonelementary rate laws

5-Apr

Ch 9 Enzyme kinetics

7-Apr

Exam 2

12-Apr

Ch 9 - Bioreactors

14-Apr

Ch 10 Catalytic reactions

19-Apr

Ch 10 Heterogeneous reaction data

21-Apr

Ch 11 Energy balances

26-Apr

Ch 11 Adiabatic operation

28-Apr

Ch 11 Equilibrium conversion

03-May

Ch 12 Nonisothermal reactors

05-May

Ch 12 Nonisothermal multiple reactions

10-May

Review for final

13-May

Final exam 7:30 to 10 am (whole content)