KJTS2100 Introduction to Chemical Engineering Course description

The course provides knowledge of fundamental principles and simple calculations of common unit operations and apparatus in chemical engineering. Topics include fluid mechanics and hydrodynamics with process equipment such as flow meters, valves, pumps and compressors, heat transfer with process equipment such as multi tube and plate heat exchangers, and mass and energy transfer in chemical engineering unit operations.

The course builds on MEK1000 Mathematics 1000, KJPE1300 General Chemistry and KJM1500 Physical Chemistry.

Approved laboratory course in KJPE1300 General Chemistry, KJFP1400 Organic Chemistry and KJM1500 Physical Chemistry, or corresponding qualifications.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• explaining how mass and energy balances are balanced in a stationary system
• using the first and second laws of thermodynamics together with mass balances and equilibrium calculations to find the equilibrium composition of a reactor
• setting up and solving an equation system of mass and energy balances for a stationary process with reaction, separation and recirculation
• performing quantitative calculations of mass and energy balances of stationary chemical processes
• performing simple simulations of mass and energy balances of stationary chemical processes
• dimensioning the heat transfer area of a heat exchanger
• calculating the heat/cooling effect and energy consumption of a heat pump or cooling unit
• using energy and mass balances to perform stationary calculations of turbines, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, split systems, mixers, heat pumps, cooling units and reactors.

Skills

The student is capable of:

• performing simple calculations to estimate the energy consumption of different processes using equipment like pumps and compressors
• performing calculations of different types of heat exchangers, both for operational values such as the consumption of cooling/heating agent and for design as size
• independently performing simple tasks with heat exchangers and distilling columns in the laboratory
• handling chemicals, material safety data sheets, assessments and laboratory safety.

General competence

The student:

• is capable of reading and interpreting scientific texts and diagrams in the chemical engineering discipline (both in English and Norwegian)
• is capable of exercising practical discretion and of performing simple calculations to assess results achieved by other chemical engineers
• is capable of explaining the operational principles behind typical equipment and apparatuses in a common chemical processing plant
• is capable of communicating chemical engineering results orally and in writing

Lectures, compulsory exercises and laboratory assignments with reports. Individual work during exercises, group work (2-4 students per group), in connection with laboratory work and report writing.

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• 2-day laboratory course with 4 written assignments (groups of 2-4 students, 3-7 pages per assignment)
• a total of 7 compulsory assignments (2-4 hours per assignment)

Exam form: Individual written exam, 3 hours.

The exam result can be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral examination may be used instead of written. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the exam result cannot be appealed.

A handheld calculator that cannot be used for wireless communication or to perform symbolic calculations. If the calculator's internal memory can store data, the memory must be deleted before the exam. Random checks may be carried out.

Grade scale A-F.

One internal examiner. External examiners are used regularly.