Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To give participants an understanding of the separation technologies used in the process industries. To provide an introduction to phase equilibria and enable this to be applied to the design of selected separation processes and plant equipment.

To understand the technology and design methods used for the solution of separation problems in the process industries.

To develop techniques necessary to specify and design separation processes for both equilibrium and rate controlled separations.

Outline Of Syllabus

Distillation:

Vapour liquid equilibrium and equilibrium stage calculations.
Calculating the number of stages in a distillation column, reflux ratio and the effect of the condition of the feed.
The design of column internals, hydraulic design for trays and packing.

Gas Absorption/Stripping:

Mass transfer in continuous contact separation processes. Calculating the height of packed columns.
The effect of temperature and pressure on gas absorption and stripping.

Solvent Extraction:

Liquid-liquid equilibrium, single equilibrium stage extraction calculations.
Cross flow and counter flow cascades.

Drying:

The terminology of humidification.
Use of psychometric charts.
Mass (moisture) balances for humid systems.
Drying curves, constant rate drying, falling rate drying and the mechanisms of solids drying.
Batch drying calculations.
Continuous dryer design.
Understand the issues of dryer design and choice of the correct dryer design for given applications.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:

1.       Analyse the role of equilibrium in the conceptual design of separation processes (AHEP4 C1-C6);
2.       Understand equilibrium data; mass balances and rate equations in the design of separation processes (AHEP4 C1-C6, C13);
3.       Design separations based on distillation; rate processes of absorption liquid extraction (AHEP4 C1-C6, C13).

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:

Apply the material balance design equation for selected separation processes (AHEP4 C1-C6, C13);

Incorporate mass transfer theory and or phase equilibria with material balances in process equipment design (AHEP4 C1-C6, C13;

Combine knowledge of separation processes to devise system designs in response to open-ended requirements for a technological application (AHEP4 M1-6, 12-13).

Extend the mass transfer and/or phase equilibria knowledge and techno-scientific expertise through research and use of literature and digital sources beyond those provided to cover the module syllabus, and application of the acquired knowledge and expertise to open-ended design studies (AHEP4 M1-6, 13).

Develop conciseness, clarity and objectivity in reporting writing, and to further refine data presentation skills (AHEP4 M17).

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures introduce theoretical concepts practiced in tutorials. The case study enables a realistic engineering problem to be solved.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The exam will test the students' understanding of the separations technology they have learned about during the lectures and their knowledge of separation process design methods.

The case study will enable the concepts of separation to be brought to the selection; design and performance estimation of a separation process as part of a team design exercise.

The formative assessment allows student the student the opportunity to receive feedback on their progress and address any remedial requirements.

General Notes

Original Handbook text: