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.

Individual written exam, 3 hours.

The exam result can be appealed.

A resit or rescheduled exam may take the form of an oral exam. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed.

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 course aims to give the student an introduction to heat transfer and basic understanding of heat transfer processes. Practical application areas include design of components in heating and cooling systems (e.g. heat exchangers), calculation of the heating requirements of buildings. The course builds on knowledge acquired in the EMTS1400 Thermodynamics for Energy and Environment. Voluntary computer lab exercises are therefore offered (Python programming).

No requirements above the admission requirements.

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:

• has acquired an understanding of the key concepts of heat transfer, as well as the principles of the various heat transfer modes
• is familiar with and is capable of determining the heat conduction equation (three-dimensional, transient) with boundary conditions and initial conditions
• is familiar with stationary heat conduction (one and two-dimensional) in Cartesian, and cylindrical coordinates
• is capable of addressing internal heat sources and use of thermal networks
• is familiar with transient (non-stationary) heat conduction, and is capable of solving simple problems (Lumped system, zero dimensional)
• is capable of using computational methods of calculating heat conduction (one, two or three dimensional, transient), using the finite difference method
• masters explicit and implicit formulation of transient problems
• is able to calculate external and internal forced convection, addressing boundary layers and drawing velocity and temperature profiles. Empirical correlations are used.
• is capable of analysing parallel-flow and counter-flow heat exchangers by using logarithmic mean temperature differences and ε-NTU methods. Familiar with fouling
• has insight into simple radiation physics and thermal radiation between solid surfaces. Black/grey surfaces are considered

Skills

The student is capable of:

• carrying out necessary calculations for engineering analysis of heat transfer in real-life structures, including buildings and heat exchangers, and elsewhere
• calculating heat conduction in solid elements, for example in walls (heat flow and temperature profiles)
• calculating convective heat transfer (convection) between a solid element and a fluid
• calculating heat transfer between solid surfaces caused by thermal radiation
• calculating heat transfer between hot and cold fluids in heat exchangers

General competence

The student is capable of:

• contributing to the work of developing new technology on the basis of an understanding of mathematical modelling and //solving physical problems
• solving interrelated problems linked to heat transfer, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. This will form a basis for calculating the power requirements and energy needs of a building etc.
• assessing whether calculation results are reasonable

Lectures, individual calculation exercises, computer exercises, laboratory exercises

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

• 8 of 12 calculation exercises
• 2 lab assignments in groups