(334c) Units of Chemical Engineering Operations

Research creates rationale for effective teaching and opens up for future developments. The concepts of unit operations, rate processes and thermodynamic equilibrium have provided a framework to design the process equipment. Methodology of Transport Phenomena explored the physics of the rate processes at micro level. Theories of Heat and Mass Transfer and Analogies have brought out the importance of fluid mechanics in understanding the heat and mass transfer coefficients.

Research over the last several decades has expanded the knowledge base exponentially. It is now well recognized that most of the time, more than one phase flows through process equipment with momentum, heat and mass transfer with or with out reactions between the different phases. Information on interfacial area, volumetric heat and mass transfer coefficients as well as residence time distribution in each phase for each type of equipment is needed for developing equations for rational design. A novel strategy is needed to bring this vast body of knowledge with in the reach of undergraduate curriculum.

Design of process equipment (for reactions and separations) is the major thrust of Chemical Engineering Education. It is interesting to note that essentially “four units” make up all the Chemical Engineering process equipment. It is proposed that the subject matter of Chemical Engineering be organized in terms of minimum number of elementary “ units ” of process equipment such as

Pipes

Packed Beds

Suspended Beds

Stirred Tanks, Rotating Equipment and Cyclones

through which more than one phase flows with heat and mass transfer with or without reactions.