Introduction to Chemical Processes

Chemistry

Expository classes for presenting theoretical content and examples of practical applications, supplemented with theoretical-practical classes for solving problems related to industrial processes. In the theoretical-practical classes, after a general discussion about the problems, students are encouraged to continue with their solutions, and a discussion of the results obtained is held at the end. Essentially, self-learning is encouraged within a framework of discussion. The guidelines are set by the teacher, but students are encouraged to generate knowledge on their own. In advance, handouts with the proposed problems to be solved in the theoretical-practical classes are provided.

Ability to identify and define a system and its boundaries, the number of variables (known and unknown) of the process and if the material balance is for a process involving single or multiple units; Ability to understand the way in which a chemical reaction affects the material balance; Ability to define the number of independent material balances of the system (with or without chemical reaction), using the law of mass conservation; Ability to determine the molar mass, density, and mole and mass fraction of an ideal gas mixture; Ability to understand the properties of air-vapour mixture in the humidity (psychrometric) charts and their subsequent use; Ability to formulate a correct energy balance for a selected system and to calculate the appropriate enthalpies by solving energy balances.

1. General concepts
1.1. Dimensions and units
1.2. Mole fraction and mass (weight) fraction
2. Ideal gas mixtures
2.1. Mass molar and density of an ideal gas mixture
3. Material balances
3.1. Material balance problems for single or multiple units without chemical reaction
3.1.1. Strategy for solving problems: variables, independent equation, choosing a basis
3.1.2. Material balance involving particular multiple units: recycle, purge and bypass
3.2. Material balances for process involving reaction
3.2.1. Stoichiometry, conversion and limiting and excess reactants
3.2.2. Element material balances
4. Psychrometry: systems air-vapour
4.1. Properties of of air-vapour mixtures
4.2. Psychrometric charts and their use
5. Energy balances
5.1. General energy balance
5.2. Calculation of enthalpy changes
5.3. Energy balances that include the effects of chemical reaction
5.3.1. The heat (enthalpy) of reaction, standard heat (enthalpy) of formation and heat of combustion.

NAO

1. Felder, Richard M.; Rousseau, Ronald W.; Bullard, Lisa G. Elementary principles of chemical processes. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.
2. Himmelblau, David Mautner; Riggs, James B. Basic principles and calculations in chemical engineering. FT press, 2012.
3. Hougen, O.A., Watson, K.M. and Ragatz, R.A.; Chemical process principles‐part 1, Material and Energy Balances. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1954
4. Slides used in classes.