CHE - Chemical Engineering (CHE)

Introduces career choices in chemical engineering and some foundations of problem solving that chemical engineers use. Through hands-on projects, the engineering design process, including problem definition, analysis, alternate solutions, and specifications of final solution, as well as techniques of oral and written communications are established. Emphasizes the importance of teamwork through group design efforts.

An introduction to problem solving and data analysis using spreadsheets. Spreadsheet applications include graphical analysis, curve-fitting, parameter estimation, numerical differentiation and integration, solution of systems of algebraic (linear and nonlinear) equations and ordinary differential equations.

The professional experiences course captures the practical work experiences related to the student’s academic discipline. Students are required to submit a formal document of their reflections, which communicates how their employment opportunity reinforced and enhanced their academic studies.

An introduction to engineering calculations, the use of common process variables, and conservation and accounting of extensive properties as a common framework for engineering analysis and modeling. Applications of conservation of mass and energy in the analysis of non-reactive chemical engineering processes will be addressed. There will be an introduction to equipment, flowcharts, techniques and methodologies used by practicing chemical engineers.

The course continues to develop concepts from CHE 201 and provides a more extensive treatment of energy balances. Applications of the principles of conservation of mass and energy to reactive and transient systems will also be addressed.

Software tools and engineering programming for chemical engineers. Topics include: structured programming, data types, control structures, data visualization, ODE solvers, and other related engineering focused programming concepts.

Topics of current interest in chemical engineering.

Physical properties of fluids, fluid statics, laminar and turbulent flow.Design of pipe networks and pumps. Fluid flow as momentum transport. Flow through porous media. Non-Newtonian fluid flow. Flow past objects and boundary layer concept. Emphasis is placed on general methods of analysis applicable to any fluid.

First and second laws of thermodynamics and their application including thermodynamic cycles, closed and open systems. Thermodynamic properties of pure components. Phase equilibria of pure components. Equations of state, state diagrams. Thermodynamic analysis of processes.

Properties of mixtures. Phase equilibria for mixtures. Equations of state and activity coefficient models. Chemical reaction thermodynamics. Thermodynamic analysis of processes. Study of phase equilibria involving the use of a process simulator.

The objective of this course is to learn the fundamentals of several important numerical methods and how to apply them to solve chemical engineering problems. This will include the study of algorithms to solve systems of algebraic and differential equations, toperform numerical integration, to apply linear and nonlinear regression techniques, and to perform stochastic Monte Carlo simulations. Matlab and Excel will be used as the programming and computing software.

Introduction to the properties and processing of metals, ceramics, polymers, and semiconductors. The influences of crystal structure, interatomic bonding, and electronic structure on physical, mechanical, and electrical properties are emphasized. Causes and mitigation of various types of corrosion are explored. Properties and design of composite materials are introduced.

Discussion of fundamental heat and mass transfer principles: conduction, forced and free convection, radiation, and diffusion. Mathematical analysis and computation of heat transfer, mass transfer, temperature, and concentration profiles in systems with simple geometries. Finite difference equations. Estimation of local and overall heat and mass transfer coefficients.

Use, design, and selection of heat exchangers and heat exchange systems for various applications in the chemical process industries. Study of gas-liquid and liquid-liquid mass transfer operations including gas absorption, extraction, and distillation in equilibrium staged tray columns and packed columns. Quantitative treatment of mass transfer based on material and energy balances, phase equilibrium, and rates of heat and mass transfer. Applications of radiation heat transfer, boiling, and condensation.

The mathematics of process dynamics, control system design, Laplace transforms, feedback control theory, characteristics of sensors, transmitters and control elements, stability criteria, and frequency response. Use of control design software is emphasized.

The course covers the analysis of various reactors including batch and continuous types for homogenous and heterogeneous reactions, single reactions, multiple reactions, reactor cascades, and temperature effects. Computer methods and software for chemical reaction engineering are used.

Properties of silicon wafers, wafer-level processes, surface and bulk micromachining, thin-film deposition, dry and wet etching, photolithography, process integration, simple actuators. Introduction to microfluidic systems. MEMS applications: capacitive accelerometer, cantilever and pressure sensor. Cross-listed with ECE 416, NE 410, and ME 416.

Topics on professional practice, ethics, and contemporary and global issues in the profession are discussed.

Principles underlying momentum, mass and energy transfer and the applications of equipment used to accomplish such transfer, introduction to laboratory concepts in data collection, record keeping, interpretation and analysis, and instrumentation including experimental error analysis, regression, model formulation, experimental design, and instrumentation. Written and oral reports are required. Formal instruction on written and oral communication will be provided.

Continuation of principles underlying momentum, mass and energy transfer with some emphasis on kinetics, applications of equipment used to accomplish such transfer.

Continuation of CHE 412 with further development of hands-on laboratory skills.

Introduction to the design process; gross profit analysis; simulation to assist in process creation; synthesis of separation trains; design of separation equipment.

Design of reactor-separator-recycle networks; heat and power integration; batch process scheduling; annual costs, earnings and profitability; preliminary work on a capstone design project.

Design of reactor-separator-recycle networks; heat and power integration; batch process scheduling; annual costs, earnings and profitability; preliminary work on a capstone design project.

Discusses problems in the field of consulting engineering. Seminars presented by practicing consulting engineers. Cross-listed with CE 420, ECE 466, ME 420, and BE 400.

Multicomponent separation of petroleum by flash vaporization. Processes for production of lighter petroleum products from heavier derivatives. Production of petrochemicals from natural gas or other fossil fuels. Projects and presentations on refinery and petrochemical processes. Material balances and economic evaluations of refinery processes. Cross listed with CHE 530. Students cannot earn credit for both CHE 430 and CHE 530.

Interrelation of polymer structure, properties and processing. Polymerization kinetics. Methods for molecular weight determination. Fabrication and processing of thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. Student projects.

Introduction to the fundamentals of particle technology including particle characterization, transport, sampling, and processing.Students will learn about the basic design and scale-up of some industrial particulate systems (including fluidized beds, mixers, pneumatic conveying systems, cyclone separators, and hoppers) as well as environmental and safety issues related to particulate handling.

Introduction to transport mechanisms underlying membrane separations and associated industrial processes. Basic design parameters, applications, and limitations will be discussed for several membrane separation methods including reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and gas separations. Particular focus on current topics such as membrane fabrication, module design, and challenges to commercial implementation. This course will contain hands-on demonstrations and projects.

This course surveys traditional and renewable energy generation techniques and their environmental impacts. Topics include the history, current usage, and projected trends of various energy technologies and humanity’s energy demands, power plants and energy efficiency, criteria pollutants and regulations, climate change, and tools for assessing environmental impact and sustainable design.

Fundamentals of chemical process safety including toxicology, industrial hygiene, toxic release and dispersion models, fires and explosions, designs and procedures to prevent fires and explosions. Overview of federal regulations governing the chemical process industries.

Topics of current interest in chemical engineering.

A special project is assigned to or selected by the student. The publication of research is encouraged. Variable credit. May be repeated up to a maximum of eight credits.

Most of the course focuses on the derivation, simplification, and solution of the equations of change for momentum, energy, and mass transport. Mathematical determination of velocity profiles and momentum flux for isothermal, laminar flows in both steady and unsteady systems will be covered. Mathematical determination of temperature profiles and heat flux, and concentration profiles and mass flux both in solids and in laminar flows will also be covered. Boundary layer theory will be discussed. Turbulent flow theories may also be addressed.

The course covers strategies for modeling non-ideal reactors and more complex reaction systems.Advanced topics in chemical reactions are analyzed with computer methods and software for reaction engineering.

Properties of silicon wafers; wafer-level processes, surface and bulk micromachining, thin-film deposition, dry and wet etching, photolithography, process integration, simple actuators. Introduction to microfluidic systems. MEMS applications: capacitive accelerometer, cantilever and pressure sensor. Cross-listed with BE 516, ECE 516, NE 510, and ME 516.

Review of thermodynamic principles including fundamental equations and the laws of thermodynamics. Investigation of property relationships based on the fundamental equations. Advanced analysis of topics related to gas, liquid, solid, and multi-phase systems and statistical thermodynamics.

Current research trends and industrial activity in the field of nanotechnology.Contains an overview of nanoscale characterization and production methods and emphasizes the roles that chemical functionality, thermodynamics, and physics play in determining the unique properties of nanoscale materials systems.Independent student reviews of current research literature form an integral part of the course.

Introduction to methodologies used to collect, process, and store data from highly connected systems for applications in making informed engineering decisions. Students will learn about modern industrial control system architecture, data storage and time series databases, asset management, processing of streaming data, and decision making over various time scales.

Multicomponent separation of petroleum by flash vaporization. Processes for production of light petroleum products from heavier derivatives. Production of petrochemicals from natural gas or other fossil fuels. Projects, presentations on refinery and petrochemical processes. Material balances and economic evaluations of refinery processes. Projects and other assignment requirements will be adjusted to the course level. Students must do additional independent work. Cross listed with CHE 430. Students cannot earn credit for both CHE 430 and CHE 530.

Control topics beyond those covered in CHE 440. Topics will be selected from among the following: advanced control using cascade, feed forward, nonlinear, and adaptive control; multivariable systems including RGA analysis and decoupling; a major control system design and implementation project using a modern distributed control system.

Survey course introducing biochemical terminology and processes. Enzyme kinetics, cellular genetics, biochemical transport phenomena, and design and operation of biochemical reactors. Emphasis on applying engineering principles to biochemical situations.

An analysis of bioseparation processes. Filtration, centrifugation, adsorption, electrophoresis, and chromatography are the primary topics of the course. Applications are emphasized.

Covers the theory, design and analysis of biological processes for the treatment of wastewater. Treatment processes include suspended and attached growth processes, aerobic and anaerobic processes, biological nutrient removal, aeration and gas transfer, and biosolids processing. Cross-listed with CE 562.

Covers the theory, design and analysis of physical and chemical processes for the treatment of drinking water. Treatment processes include coagulation and flocculation, gravity separation, granular and membrane filtration, disinfection, air stripping, adsorption, ion exchange, and disinfection. Cross listed with CE 563.

Topics of current interest in chemical engineering. May be repeated.

A special project, or series of problems, or research problem is assigned to or selected by the student. A comprehensive report must be submitted at the conclusion of the project. Not to be used as a substitute for CHE 599, Thesis Research. Variable credit. May be repeated up to a maximum of eight credits.

Selected topics in chemical engineering are discussed by graduate students, faculty, and guest speakers.

Graduate students only. Credits as assigned; however, not more than 12 credits will be applied toward the requirements of the M.S. degree.

The professional experiences course captures the practical work experiences related to the student's academic discipline. Students are required to submit a formal document of their reflections, which communicates how their employment opportunity reinforced and enhanced their academic studies. The work experiences should be informative or integral to the advancement or completion of the student's program requirements.