Chemical Engineering Modules

This module provides an enhanced understanding of fluid flow and properties. The fundamental fluid concepts are reviewed first. Momentum balance is introduced and applied to flow problems in both macroscopic and microscopic levels. The governing fluid flow equations, including continuity equations and motion equations, are obtained in 3D form in tensor notation and they are applied to the flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid flows in simple geometries. Turbulent flow is studied using Reynolds stress.  

The typical process flow problems are also examined and related to the process industries. Pipe networking part covers the design of pumping systems, pipe networks, pump selection, pump curves and Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH). Compressible flow focuses on the pressure drop calculations through energy balance, maximum flow and compressor characteristics and selection. Multi-phase flow includes the flow regime identification and friction loss calculations.  Mixing is introduced, which covers mixing equipment, vortexing and baffles, power curves, blending, solids suspension and gas/liquid dispersion.

This course aims to generalise fluid mechanics so that at a later stage, the knowledge gained can easily be used in numerical simulations, such that the students understand the meaning and implications of exact/approximate solutions in the description of fluids, flow geometry and flow kinematics.

Lectures convey the mathematical concepts and techniques in fluid mechanics; tutorials are used to provide supervised problem solving. Assignments are for independent study and research.

The mass transfer part of the module explains the processes of mass transfer and diffusion and how they relate to engineering systems of separation and reactions. Topics to be covered include diffusion and diffusion coefficients; Fick’s 1st law and equimolar counter diffusion; Diffusion through a stationary phase; Stefan’s Law; Two film theory; Individual and overall mass transfer coefficients. Unit operations such as leach and evaporation will be covered.
The heat transfer part of this module aims to give students extend students’ knowledge of the principles of heat transfer and to provide a fundamental knowledge of design criteria for typical forms of heat exchangers used in the process industries. It will also aims to enable the students to analyse heat transfer in systems where there is change of phase; to allow the students to analyse systems where radiative heat transfer is significant/dominant and to ensure that students can design and choose appropriate equipment in their design projects.
This module introduces the 3 basic types of heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation. For conduction, students will be introduced to Fourier’s Equation to describe conduction through different 1-D geometries and composite systems. For convection, students will be introduced Newton’s Law of Cooling and different convection correlations. For radiation, students will be introduced to Stefan-Boltzmann equation and the basic principles of radiative heat transfer (black body vs. real body vs. grey body). Also, students will be introduced to combined modes of heat transfer that are presented as thermal resistances in thermal circuits of combined heat transfer modes in series and parallel, including radiation. The students will learn about the overall heat transfer coefficient, log mean temperature and heat exchanger design. Also, students will learn in depth the design methodology of shell-and-tube and cross flow heat exchangers by applying Effectiveness-NTU and F-factor methods. Also, students’ study of heat transfer is extended to systems which are no longer steady state and have changes in phase. Student will learn about boiling (nucleate and film boiling) and condensing (Film and dropwise condensation) heat transfer. Finally, students will be introduced transient heat transfer (the lumped capacitance method). By the end of the module the students will be able to understand many everyday examples of heat transfer, as well as being able to solve many steady state heat transfer calculations that Chemical Engineers encounter on plant.
This module will allow students to understand the fundamental principles of multimode, boiling and condensing heat transfer; to analyse numerous heat transfer problems, including systems with multiple heat transfer modes, multiple layers multiple phases and of varying geometries; to understand and apply the principles of radiative heat transfer to simple well-defined systems; to know how to design and choose between different types of heat exchangers.
Complex problems will also be provided in tutorials to allow students to practice and apply the knowledge and skills learnt in lectures.
In addition to formative assessment, summative assessments will also be conducted in this module through one assignment and final examination. The semester’s assignment will compromise an open-ended problem, which will require students to pursue some additional knowledge and skills not covered in the lecture notes or in tutorial through independent learning. Final exam will be a comprehensive test covering many knowledge and skills learnt throughout this module. The key objective of these summative assessments is to measure the achievements of the module learning outcomes.

This module covers the fundamentals of reaction engineering. The following is an outline of the syllabus:
Reactors: Introduction to batch and continuous reactor operation, batch reactor design equation, Plug flow reactor design equation, CSTR design equation,
Single reactions: Constant pressure and constant volume batch reactors, Plug flow reactors,
CSTRs: Comparison of PFR and CSTR and CSTRs in series, Similarity between series of CSTRs and PFR, Recycle reactor
Multiple reactions: Introduction to multiple reactions, parallel reactions of the same order, Parallel reactions of different orders, Consecutive reactions
Energy balance: Effect of temperature on reaction rate, Forms of the energy balance, PFR energy balance, CSTR energy balance
Non ideal reactors and residence time distribution

This module aims to give students an understanding of the separation technologies used in the process industries by applying mass transfer theory and phase equilibria. The module will start with a short review of basic principles of phase equilibria & separations. Afterwards, this module will covers the following topics: introduction to equilibrium stage separations (e.g. distillation) and rate controlled separations (e.g. gas absorption, stripping); multistage separation; continuous and batch distillation; McCabe-Thiele method; effect of reflux ratio; flash Distillation; hydraulic design of distillation columns; introduction to various types of column internals: trays and packings and merits of using each type; sieve tray design; design of packed columns and basic principles of liquid-liquid extraction.

This module intends to teach the students about applying their knowledge of the role of equilibrium in the conceptual design of separation processes (distillation and liquid/liquid extraction). Also, this module intends to strengthen the students’ knowledge of the design and specification methods for separation processes. With specific understanding of the processes of distillation and familiarity with the equipment related to these processes, students will gain a knowledge of the operational characteristics of plate and packed columns; knowledge of the relative merits of each type of column internal based on operating range, cost, etc. to make an appropriate selection for a given separation duty and knowledge and understanding of the design characteristics of both types of tower. Complex problems will also be provided in tutorials to allow students to practice and apply the knowledge and skills learnt in lectures.

In addition to formative assessment, summative assessments will also be conducted in this module through one assignment and final examination. The semester’s assignment will compromise an open-ended problem, which will require students to pursue some additional knowledge and skills not covered in the lecture notes or in tutorial through independent learning. Final exam will be a comprehensive test covering many knowledge and skills learnt throughout this module. The key objective of these summative assessments is to measure the achievements of the module learning outcomes. Specifically, these assessments will measure the students’ ability to apply the material balance design equation for selected separation processes; application of numerical and computer skills to design problems; ability to incorporate the theory of mass transport and/or phase equilibria with material balance design equations and apply them to the design of mass transfer separation processes; ability to apply knowledge of design methods for tray and packed columns either to size a new column or to evaluate the suitability of existing columns for a given separation duty; ability to develop separation column simulations in UniSim; report writing and information management.

This module aims to in-still into students the understanding of the design and operation of plant utilities that are essential for the operation of biochemical, chemical, process and manufacturing plants. Concepts and principles behind the design and operation of plant utilities such as steam generation, water treatment, compressed air, inert gas and process cooling systems are covered.

Engineering materials are covered in order for students to appreciate the properties of different materials, their performance characteristics and how to select materials for specific engineering applications. Polymeric, composite materials, different types and grades of metals, and insulation materials are covered including strength of materials, corrosion and erosion resistance, material design, sizing of material thickness and the types of joints in material fabrication and structure erection.

The learning materials are delivered in lectures and tutorial spreading across the semester. During tutorial, the students are given formative feedback as they work through the coursework and their in-class assignment. The assessment method include coursework submission as well as examination at the end of the semester.

The other aspect of this module is the engineering laboratory practice. This part of the module provides training in engineering skills, reinforces knowledge and understanding of concepts learnt in class and gives opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and understanding in completing the laboratory practice and submitting laboratory report.

Students work in groups of three to four on a rotating laboratory schedule to complete the practical classes spreading across two tri-semesters. Assessment of each practical includes submission of pre-experimental assignment, laboratory class and laboratory report. In-class hands-on practical skills, compliance to health and safety code of practice, presentation, and report-writing skills will be assessed in addition to other soft skills such as teamwork, leadership skills, time management and task management skills.

Process control is about understanding the dynamics of the process, selecting an appropriate measurement device for the controlled variable and making adjustments to the process to keep the controlled variable at a desired value. This module provides an introduction to basic Process Control.

Students will learn how signals from process sensors are measured, transmitted and conditioned. The factors that should be considered when specifying process instrumentation are also covered. These include the common metrics of instrumentation capabilities, safety aspects and costing.

The module emphasises that time-dependent behaviour has significant influence on process design, operation and safety. General representations of dynamical systems are presented. Students will be taught Laplace Transforms, the mathematical tool for analysing the dynamic behaviour of linear time-invariant systems. The concept of feedback control is introduced and students will learn several techniques for tuning 3-term PID controllers and how to analyse a close loop system for stability.

Finally, students will be taught how to draw P&IDs to depict instrumentation deployed in a chemical process plant.

This module provides an understanding of basic safety related to the Chemical Engineering Industry within the context of the legislative framework and requirements in Singapore.  There is extensive coverage on tools and techniques to identify and assess hazards/risk, process safety in design and safety management systems that ensure the safe and efficient operation of chemical processes.

This module aims to instil in students, the understanding and skills in designing and operating biological and catalytic reactors. The module builds from fundamental concepts in biological and chemical reactions to engineering systems that are designed to produce these products in large scale.

This module covers both aspects of biological reactors and chemical catalytic reactors, including their design and operation. Concepts of biological cell cultivation are covered from laboratory scale to industrial scale, with emphasis on how important operating parameters are monitored and controlled to optimise the synthesis of biological and biochemical products. Bio-reaction kinetics, culture growth rates, material and energy balance are covered with various equations and models derived from first principles.

Batch and continuous cell cultivation are covered including various bioreactor system design and operation. Bioreactor sizing, engineering the design for optimised mixing, mass transport and heat transport systems are covered. Engineering controls to ensure contamination-free cultivation and covered with concepts of biohazards and sterilisation included.

Chemical equilibria including spontaneity, Gibb’s free energy, chemical potential, reaction equilibria, conversion, product yield and reaction kinetics are taught in this module. Reaction mechanisms of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic reactions are covered. Rate equations integrating reaction kinetics with mass transfer diffusion resistances are derived from first principles for heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Mathematical models for packed bed and fluidised bed catalytic reactor are taught with reactor sizing, engineering design for mixing, mass transport and heat transport.

Lectures across the 12-week trimester are used to deliver the learning materials with weekly tutorials used to provide student feedback. The assessment method is in the form of an assignment and a final examination at the end of the semester.

This module is to give the students an understanding of the separation technology used in the modern chemical industry. Thermodynamics are reviewed and applied to predict phase equilibrium.  Five industrially important separation techniques are studied in detail, which include azeotropic distillation, multicomponent distillation, gas absorption, membrane separations and adsorption. Thermodynamics, mass balance and mass transfer are employed through different separation processes. Focus is on the process conceptual design and solving separation problems.

The IWSP provides students with unique learning opportunities to achieve the following objectives:

1. Applied learning –  integration of theory and practice, acquisition of specialist knowledge and development of professional skills.
2. Exposure to real-world conditions- appreciation of real-world constraints in respective industry contexts to develop skills of adaptability, creativity and innovation, while adding value to the workplace.
3. Smooth transition to jobs-practical experience which shortens work induction period, translating to higher productivity and lower training costs to future employers of SIT’s graduates. The work experience acquired may also contribute to professional accreditation/certification requirements if applicable.

The IWSP is an integral part of applied learning as it provides an opportunity for students to integrate what they have learnt in the classroom to what is practised in the real world, and vice-versa. The extended period of IWSP with students performing real work also provides an opportunity for companies to evaluate the suitability of students as potential employees. In effect, the IWSP is equivalent to the probation period. The student will also have ample opportunity to immerse in the industry’s business and culture and decide if this is a good industry to work in. Besides producing practice-oriented graduates, IWSP will also be the platform through which students will be challenged during their work attachment stint to initiate innovative projects under the guidance of SIT’s IWSP Supervisors and Company appointed Work Supervisors.   Through such projects, students will have the opportunity to develop innovative solutions for the projects they have identified.  In this way, the IWSP will be a key platform that contributes to the inculcation of the SIT-DNA in every student.