CHEN30010 Chemical & Bioprocess Reaction Engineering

Academic Year 2023/2024

To develop the skills needed in the design of batch, semi-batch and continuous chemical and biochemical reactors for homogenous and heterogeneous systems under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions.
Course Content
Introduction to Chemical & Bioprocess Reaction Engineering
Kinetics, fractional conversion, rate expressions for generalised isothermal and non-isothermal reaction kinetics, constant and non-constant density systems.
The design of isothermal batch, semi-batch, stirred reactors, continuous stirred tank and plug-flow ideal reactors.
Multiple reactor configurations (series and parallel connections) and plug-flow with recycle reactor design.
Multiple reactions.
Non-ideal reactor design and residence time distribution characterisation of real reactors. RTDs for CSTR, PFR, Laminar flow and selected reactor configurations. Modelling real reactor systems.
Micro mixing and segregation.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to
1. Develop rate expressions for constant density and variable density isothermal and non-isothermal reacting homogenous systems.
2. Apply steady state and unsteady state material and energy balances to homogenous, single and multiple reaction systems.
3. Design batch, semi-batch and continuous homogenous, isothermal reactions.
4. Apply concept of the use of residence time distributions in reaction engineering and to incorporate the effects of mixing on the design of real reactors using appropriate model reactor systems.
5. Identify the significant Safety, Health and Environment implications of certain types of reactions and reactor systems.
6. Solve complex reaction engineering problems using Excel and Matlab and to prepare technical reports describing the solutions to selected problems.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Tutorial

6
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

122
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures are used to outline the theory and practice of Chemical and Bioprocess Reaction Engineering with associated example problems to illustrate how these principles are applied to develop and optimise chemical reactions in a systematic and quantitative manner. There is a strong focus on problem based learning in the course with significant problem sets with solutions provided for all relevant parts of the course. This focus on problem solving is aligned with the assessment strategy where example problem sets form the basis for mid-term examination and a video tutorial based learning by teaching approach used on key example problems, as part of a peer to peer teaching and feedback approach. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Peer to Peer Teach to Learn Video Tutorial Assignment. Students will make a video tutorial outlining how to solve a number of reaction engineering problems for a provided dataset. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Class Test: Midterm exam based on Single Reaction Course Problem set. Unspecified n/a Graded No

20
Examination: Final Examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

70

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Flipped classroom video tutorial will provide peer review activities. Example problems with provided answer sets will provide significant scope for self assessment, in addition to similar problem and solution sets for past exam questions. Mid-term group based feedback will be provided post exam. Final exam grades will be provided for post-assessment of terminal exam performance.

1. Levenspiel, O., “Chemical Reaction Engineering”, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 1996.
3. Scott-Fogler, H, “Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering”, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall International Series, 1999.
3.. Schmidt, Lanny D., “The Engineering of Chemical Reactions”, 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press, 2005.
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Even Weeks Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 09:00 - 11:50
Autumn