Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Stages 1 - 3 of Chemical Engineering

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

1. To provide an understanding of the concept of Process Intensification and of the application of a variety of intensification techniques to numerous applications

2. To provide an understanding of basic operating principles of a variety of intensified process equipment such as spinning disc reactors, rotary packed beds, oscillatory baffled reactors, compact heat exchangers and micro-reactors.

3. To be able to apply knowledge to unit operation design, and evaluate the resultant designs

4. To analyse systems for opportunities for PI/new technologies

Process Intensification deals with novel, radically different technologies which have the potential to revolutionize the way chemical plants are designed and operated. The ultimate aim of Process Intensification methods is to reduce the size of process plants by orders of magnitude. Other typical benefits stemming from this reduction in size include:

(i)       Enhanced safety
(ii)       Reduced environmental footprint
(iii)       Improved product quality
(iv)       More responsive processing

All of these advantages are discussed and exemplified by case studies within the course

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Definition of Process Intensification (PI)
Origin of PI. Benefits of PI. Methods of achieving PI in general, with specific examples/case studies. Barriers and opportunities. Target industries.

2. Oscillatory baffled reactor (OBR)
Description & operating principles. History. Explanation of niche applications. Design. Case studies.

3. Spinning disc reactor (SDR)
Operating principle and development of models for thin film flow on rotating disc. Examples of application of SDR to a range of processes.

4. Rotary packed bed (RPBs)
Operating principle of rotating contactors. Development of models for counter-current multiphase flow in rotating systems. Examples of the application of multiphase contactors.


5. Compact heat exchangers (CHE)
Definition of CHEs. Construction and main properties. Applications. Basic design procedures. Examples.

6. Micro-reactors
Description and operating principles. Heat transfer, mass transfer and mixing applications.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

To understand the concept of Process Intensification and the methodologies for PI.

To appreciate the benefits of PI in the process industries.

To understand the operating principles of a number of intensified technologies such as the spinning disc reactor, the rotating packed bed, the oscillatory flow reactor, the compact heat exchanger and the microreactor.

To appreciate the range of potential applications of the above-mentioned intensified equipment (M13).

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. To design equipment capable of intensifying conventional processes (M1 and M5).
2. Problem Solving skills.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Basic concepts are introduced and developed in lectures, and reinforced by tutorials on each section of the course.

Case studies from lecturers’ own research reinforce the material developed throughout.

Tutorial classes are used to develop problem solving skills including design and case studies of technology applications.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination will test knowledge acquired and also problem solving in a timed environment. The examination will cover all sections of the course.

General Notes

Original Handbook text: