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Module

CME8107 : Process Intensification

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Adam Harvey
  • Lecturer: Dr Richard Law, Dr Jonathan Lee, Professor Kamelia Boodhoo, Dr Vladimir Zivkovic
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

1.       To provide an understanding of the concept of Process Intensification
2.       To provide knowledge and understanding of application of intensification techniques to a range of processes e.g. heat and mass transfer, separation processes
3.       To provide an understanding of basic operating principles of a variety of intensified process equipment such as spinning disc reactor, rotary packed beds, oscillatory flow reactors, compact heat exchangers and micro-reactors etc.

Process Intensification deals with novel, radically different technologies which have the potential to revolutionise the way chemical plants are designed and operated. The ultimate aim of Process Intensification methods is to build a chemical plant small enough to sit on a desk-top with no loss of productivity. Using the concepts developed in this module, it will also be possible to design the process plants of the future, which will deliver improved product quality, be responsive to market needs and be able to create a sustainable environment.

Outline Of Syllabus

1.       Definition of Process Intensification (PI). Benefits of PI. Techniques for PI application: active and passive techniques.

2.       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.

3.       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.

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

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.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion145:0045:00Revision for examination
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture161:0016:00Lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching61:006:00Tutorials
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study331:0033:00Preparation for tutorials & reviewing lecture material.
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

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

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

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1801A100N/A
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.

Reading Lists

Timetable