ChE 43500

Spring 2015

Chemical Engineering Laboratory

ChE 43500

Spring 2015

Chemical Engineering Laboratory

Course Objective:

Apply chemical engineering fundamentals to design,

conduct, and analyze the results of experiments
constructed to obtain performance data required to
complete design projects.

Chemical Engineers:
Develop
Design, and
Operate

Chemical and
Biochemical
Processes

Types of Design Projects

Process
Equipment & Auxiliaries

As a result of the activities in this

course, you should be able to:
Determine the performance data required to
complete the design (analysis) for a process
or process equipment.
Design and conduct an experimental
program to determine the required
performance data.
Use the requisite performance data to obtain
a technically feasible design.

 Effectively report the results of your work in written

form and communicate the results to your peers in
an oral presentation.
Function as a member of a technically diverse team.
Understand different personality types, how these
types respond, and how they can function
effectively on teams.
Develop an understanding of the professional
responsibilities of the engineer as a member of a
team.
Understand and practice appropriate safety
measures.

Course Operation
One Measurement-Analysis and two
Design Projects
Separations Processes
Chemical/Biochemical Reaction Processes

Each project is assigned 9 laboratory sessions

5th/4th Session Planning Conference
8th Session Oral Progress Report
Written Report submitted one week after last
laboratory session

The first project will be divided into 2 parts:

Measurement
The teams will work on the measurement of
one or more of the significant variables of the
project during the initial 3 sessions of the
semester. The results, including statistical
data analysis, will be reported in a 2 page
memorandum.

Analysis
The team members will devote 6 lab
sessions to characterize the behavior of their
pilot plant equipment in terms of its
performance parameters and will develop the
basic model for the process (reaction
kinetics, separation efficiency parameter).
The results will be presented in a 5 page
report.
Special instructions for this first project are
included in every project handout.

Measurement/Analysis Projects
GROUP A:
1. HTU in Ammonia Absorption
2. Tray Efficiency in Ethanol Recovery
3. HETP for a Packed Distillation Column
4. Flash Vaporizer Performance
GROUP B:
5. Cooling tower Performance
6. Tray Drier Performance
7. Tray Drier Performance
GROUP C:
1. Cooling Tower Performance
2. Tray Drier Performance

Design Projects
GROUP A:
1. Air Emission Control System
2. Ethanol Recovery System
3. Alcohol Separation System
4. Feedback Control of a Flash Vaporizer
GROUP B:
4. Lactose Free Milk Production System
5. Acetone Production System
6. Fructose/Glucose Production
7. Polyacrylamide Production System
GROUP C:
8. Copper Recovery System

Safety Rules
1. You must wear standard safety glasses in the
laboratory at all times.
2. Full leg protection is required (no shorts).
3. Full foot protection is required (no open toe shoes).
4. Use disposable nitrile gloves for hand protection when
handling any chemical.
5. No contact lenses are allowed in the laboratory (special
arrangements can be made).
6. In the event of a chemical contamination, use the nearest
eye wash/shower station immediately.
7. In the case of a fire or other accident, contact your TA
immediately.

Safety
1. Cuts or burns must be treated immediately at the student
health center.
2. Food and drink are not allowed in the laboratory or
control room.
3. Use rubber suction bulbs to fill a pipette.
4. Secure long hair, ties, or loose jewelry.
5. Unauthorized experiments are not allowed. Never work in
the laboratory alone.
6. Be sure every electrical device is well grounded before you
use it.
7. Cell phones must be turned off while in the laboratory.

Team Leader:
Overall direction of the project, set the
objectives, schedule the activities of the
team; direct team in doing experiments and
calculations; meet the deadlines of project;
plan written report and present oral
progress report.

Experimental Engineer:
Familiar with the safe operation of
apparatus and analytical chemistry;
formulate design of experiments; apply
statistics to data; communicate with the
Design Engineer (Analyst) to be sure
team gets necessary data to be used in
the design; perform safety review before
operating the equipment; lead team in
conducting experimental program.

Design Engineer (Analyst):

Develop the design method and obtain a
preliminary design; determine which parameters
are needed and which of these must be obtained
from experiment; communicate with Experimental
Engineer to assure experiments are conducted
that will provide necessary data; lead team in
conducting design; give adequate consideration
to
safety,
operability,
and
economics;
communicate preliminary design results to Team
Leader for inclusion in oral progress report.

Choose Team Members

Rules:
No more than 2 Coop students per team
Diverse makeup is encouraged
Schedule compatibility is very important
Designate roles for first project
Once teams are formed Mr. McGlothlin will take a picture
of each team.
Course will be managed using Blackboard Learn
(Spring 2015-CHE-43500-013)