Module 1 Practice Problems

Note: Problems are marked either R: Recommended or FE: Further Enrichment

1. (R) (i) Between which two disciplines did chemical engineering emerge?
(ii) Historically, how did chemical engineers influence the production of bulk
chemicals?
(iii) What is the mission of the AIChE? When was it founded?

2. (R) (i) By what name do chemical engineers refer to individual steps in a chemical
process?
(ii) What is the key distinction between a reactive and a non-reactive unit
operation?
(iii) Name two types of reactive and non-reactive unit operations.

3. (R) Classify the following chemical products as a microstructured product, chemical

device, or specialty chemical:
(i) E85
(ii) iPad battery
(iii) Cheerios
(iv) Huggies
(v) Prius (engine and battery)
(vi) Aspirin
(vii) Tylenol PM
Note the role of a chemical engineer in the design and/or manufacture of all of these
products.

4. (R) Here are some common unit operations: Adsorption column; Reactor; Centrifuge;
Compressor; Crystallizer; Distillation column; Dryer; Filtration device; Heat exchanger;
Holding tank; Mixer; Pump; Refrigerator. The following block diagram summarizes a
hypothetical process for producing a pressurized mixture of octane and ethanol. Each box
represents a unit operation. The inlet and outlet for each box are labeled. Identify one unit
operation for each box that could change the inlet components into the products (you will
not use all of the operations listed above).
P.S. This problem may seem like just an exercise, but it represents the power that chemical
engineers have to conceptualize incredibly complex processes as a series of concrete steps.
Next time you are driving along I-80 near Vallejo, take a look at the enormous refineries
and chemical plants and realize that each one started with a diagram like this one.

5. (R) Categorize each of the following products as a microstructured product, a chemical

device, or a specialty chemical:
a) Raid insecticide
b) exfoliating face wash
c) fuel cell
d) synthetic motor oil
e) pH sensor
f) Glade solid odor absorber