CHEN40620 Advanced Process Design

Academic Year 2023/2024

The aim of the lecture part of this course is to develop in students the ability to synthesise design solutions for the chemical and bioprocess engineering sector that take into account consideration of good design practice, that are inherently safe and that are most economically viable.

For the project-based componet of this course, a student will be required to work in a team to design a process to meet a specified need. The integrated design solution presented should address major aspects of chemical engineering design, including process synthesis, equipment specification and design, safety and loss prevention, economic assessment, environmental and wider socio-economic impacts, as well as key ethical considerations.

As part of the chemical engineering design, students are also expected to provide a more rigorous design methodology to that demonstarted in Stage 3 design exercises, including process optimisation, an analysis of energy usage, the employment of technologies to optimise energy usage (pinch technology, for example), as well as considerations of control during abnormal operation (start-up, shut-down) and plant-wide control.

A non-standard marking scheme is employed. This scheme is as follows:

G (0 to <20%), F(20 to <35%), E(35% to <50%)
D-(50% to <53.33), D(53.33 to <56.67%), D+(56.67 to <60%)
C-(60% to <63.33), C(63.33 to <66.67%), C+(66.67 to <70%)
B-(70% to <73.33), B(73.33 to <76.67%), B+(76.67 to <80%)
A-(80% to <85.00), A(85.00 to <90.00%), A+(>90.00)

Note: This requires a student to obtain an aggregate score of 50% to obtain a pass grade for this module.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the lecture part of this module students should be able:To elucidate the legal framework in which process design and developement takes place.To analyse and synthesise a design in terms of safety and provide measures for its safe operation.To analyse and synthesise a design using best-practice economic principles.To analyse and synthesise a design with due regard to its environmental impact.

On completion of the project component of this module students should be able to demonstrate:

1. the importance of identifying the objectives and context of the design in terms of the business, technical and ethical requirements, sustainable development, safety, health and environmental issues and understanding of public perception and concerns.

2. the design as an open ended process lacking a pre-determined solution which requires synthesis, innovation and creativity; judgemental choices on the basis of incomplete and contradictory information; decision making; working with constraints and multiple objectives; and justification of the choices and decisions taken.

3. how to deploy their chemical engineering knowledge using rigorous calculation and analysis of results to arrive at, and verify, the realism of the chosen design. This must also include the use of advanced optimisation tools for production, energy usage and project delivery.

4. how to take a systems approach to design encompassing complexity, interaction and integration. This will be demonstrated particularly in the deployment of local and integrated plant-wide control strategies under both normal and abnormal operation.

5. how to work in a team understanding and managing the processes of peer challenge; planning, prioritising and organising team activity; and the discipline of mutual dependency.

6. how to communicate externally to acquire input information and present and defend chosen design options and decisions taken.

7. the fundamental importance of delivering a complex piece of work on time which is fit for purpose.

8. the ability to elucidate the key safety, health and environmental aspects of the project and to provide solutions according to best international practice.

9. the practical appraisal of ethical and socio-econonic boundaries associated with a major project, including the modification or re-design of such appraisals to meet the associated needs.

10. the application of project management techniques (including critical path analysis) in aiding the delivering of the design on time and within budget.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30
Studio

45
Autonomous Student Learning

145
Total

220
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module consists in both lectures and group-based activities, supported by the module coordinator, especially through Consultancy Meetings (private meetings with individual groups). 
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
Group Project: Design Report: typically consists of four sub-reports (A - D) with corresponding percentage allocation 20%, 10%, 60%, 10%, respectively for Reports A, B, C, D. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Other No

60
Presentation: Group Presentation Week 12 n/a Other No

5
Continuous Assessment: Peer Assessment (Group Project-based) Unspecified n/a Other No

5
Continuous Assessment: Examination comprising multiple choice, in conjunction with longer questions, based on lectures delivered during the Trimester. Unspecified n/a Other No

30

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

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

For the project element of this project, a series of four reports are submitted throughout the module after which feedback is given either to individuals to groups, or where appropriate, to the entire class (depending on the nature of the feedback and/or the nature of the report). These reports are collected and submitted as a final report by each student at the end of the Semester. Grading of this project is based on THIS final, submitted report.

Name Role
Seamus Kelly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 Fri 14:00 - 16:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn