ChE 31

INTRODUCTION TO
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Introduction

Prepared by: CGAlfafara

Edited by: JACapunitan
2nd sem. A.Y. 2013-2014

Why CHEMICAL ENGINEERING ?

What factors led you to choose

Chemical Engineering as your future
profession?
Where would you want to work if
you successfully finish the chemical
engineering course?

Lab-scale distillation

Distillation column

Lab-scale solvent extraction

Extraction column

Laboratory centrifuge

Centrifugals

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TEAM:

Chemical reaction to produce a valuable product

HOW TO MASS PRODUCE IT?

ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
Reactor type, size, operating conditions?
Heated or not?
Movement of streams?
Recycling?
Source of reactants? In what proportions?
Are wastes produced? How will they be treated?
Automation?
Economics?
Should the plant be built?
Start-up procedures?
Troubleshooting?
Change in specs of product, how to deal with it?

What is Chemical Engineering?

Disciplinary Definition
Occupational Definition

DISCIPLINARY DEFINITION OF
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Definition by the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers (AICHE)
Chemical engineering is the profession in which a
knowledge of mathematics, chemistry and other
natural sciences , gained by study, experience and
practice
is applied with judgment to develop economic ways of
using materials and energy
for the benefit of mankind.
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Occupational Definition of
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering is a broad discipline
dealing with processes (industrial and
natural)
involving the transformation (chemical,
biological, or physical) of matter or
energy
into forms useful for mankind, economically
and without compromising environment,
safety, or finite resources
http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/CHE/About/definition.html

Where Do Chemical Engineers

Work?
Chemical engineers do just

about anything

Training received by the student equips them to

have rewarding careers not only in the chemical
industry, but also to pursue education and careers
in just about any field (management, law, medicine,
etc)
strength and diversity of chemical engineering is in
part based on the fact that the students are taught
not just specific chemical industries/applications,
but also the application of common fundamental
principles to various industries
http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/CHE/About/definition.html

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Where Do Chemical Engineers

Work?
Fuels and Energy

Petroleum, Natural Gas, Batteries,

Fuel Cells

Commodity Chemicals

Agricultural Chemicals, Plastics,

Rubber

Specialty/Consumer Chemicals

Adhesives, Paints, Inks, Soaps,

Detergents, Cosmetics, Perfumes

Advanced Materials

Glass, Ceramics, Metals, Polymers,

Catalysts

Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals

Food

Process Design/Control
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http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/CHE/About/definition.html

INTRODUCTION

The Role of the Chemical Engineer

Traditional Role

To realize a production objective involving physicochemical or biological transformations on an

industrial scale

A Chemical Engineer is often

involved in the analysis of

PROCESSES

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WHAT IS A PROCESS ?
A process is an operation or series of operations ,
involving the physical, chemical or biological
transformation(s)
of an input material for the purpose of
achieving a desired product material or
objective

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WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A

PROCESS?
- Input
- Process Unit
- Output

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Basic Schematic Representation of a Process

Input

(material or energy)

PROCESS
UNIT

Output

(material or energy)

Examples:

PHYSICAL
Drying of wet material
Filtration of suspensions
Sedimentation of high solids wastewater

CHEMICAL/BIOCHEMICAL
Fermentation of sugars
Transesterification of plant oils (for biodiesel)

A process may have

multiple input/output streams

or
multiple process units

SOLVENT
methylisobutylketone

FEED
water
acetone

Extraction
stage

EXTRACT
(acetone rich)

MULTIPLE STREAM PROCESS

RAFFINATE
(water rich)

MULTIPLE PROCESS UNITS

FEED

SOLVENT

SOLVENT

Extraction
stage 1

Extraction
stage 2

SOLVENT

Extraction
stage n

solute
diluent

RAFF

EXTR 1

EXTR 2

Dist
Col

EXTR n

EXAMPLE OF MULTIPLE PROCESS UNITS

Hypothetical process for hydration of ethylene to ethanol

EXAMPLE OF MULTIPLE PROCESS UNITS

Industrial process for hydration of ethylene to ethanol

A chemical engineer often deals with processes on an

industrial scale.
Tasks:

(1) Develop and design processes

(2) Improve and operate existing processes so that
they become safe, reliable, efficient and
economical as possible

Basic Tools for Process Analysis:

MATERIAL AND ENERGY BALANCES

(The Essence of ChE 31)

INTRODUCTION
ENGINEERING PROBLEM ANALYSIS
Introduction to Engineering Calculations
Units and dimensions, System of units, Conversion of units
Dimensional homogeneity andDimensionless numbers
Process and process variables
Mass and volume, Flow rates
Chemical composition
Temperature, Pressure
FIRST EXAM

MATERIAL BALANCES
Process classification
Material balances on systems at steady state
Balances on systems without chemical reaction
Balances around a single unit (No Reaction)
SECOND EXAM

Balances multiple units, Recycle, bypass and purge

THIRD EXAM

Balances around systems with chemical reactions, Combustion reactions

ENERGY BALANCES
Forms of energy
Energy balances on systems at steady state
Energy balances on closed systems, Energy balances on open systems
FOURTH EXAM
MAIN REFERENCE: Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes by R.M. Felder
and R.W. Rousseau (Third Edition)

HOMEWORK DUE 11/20/13

Think of any commodity or product and
describe the processes needed for its
production. Propose a process flowchart
(not necessarily exact or complete) and
label the streams.

CLASS DISMISSED

http://www.up.edu.ph/memorandum-no-paep-13-35-help-for-victims-of-typhoon-yolanda/
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