Course Title: Reaction Engineering 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course ID: 032971

Course Title: Reaction Engineering 1

Credit Points: 6


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

PROC2055

City Campus

Undergraduate

120H Civil, Environ & Chemical Eng

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Dr John Harris

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2087

Course Coordinator Email: john.harris@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Room 7:02:08


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

CHEM 1031 Chemistry 1B (Chem Eng) or equivalent

This pre-requisite course was specified because it provides an introductory study of kinetics, catalysis and rate equations which are fundamental to the design and operation of chemical reactors.

Some knowledge of biochemical reactions would also be useful. 
 


Course Description

Reaction Engineering combines the fundamentals of reaction kinetics and heat and mass transfer to study reactor design and performance in industrial reaction systems. The design equations for the 3 ideal reactor types (batch, CSTR, plug flow) are applied to the analysis of rate data, reactor design and economic evaluation. Reaction systems studied include liquid homogeneous reactions, enzymic reactions, catalytic gas-phase reactions, temperature effects and heat transfer in reactors.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course in Reaction Engineering expands your knowledge of reactor types for industrial processing, the parameters and methods used in reactor design and performance evaluation. The capabilities that this course develops include modelling techniques for the 3 ideal types of reactors, selection of appropriate rate equations, application of energy balances, heat transfer, mathematical and numerical skills for parameter evaluation and integration, and communication skills in the discussion of reactor types.


Learning outcomes include:
• Ability to derive, discuss the limitations of, and apply the design equations for the 3 ideal types of reactors (batch, CSTR, plug flow)
• Select appropriate forms of rate equation for different reactive systems (inorganic, organic, enzymic, fermentation, catalytic)
• Perform differential and integral methods of analysis of rate data
• Perform optimum reactor sizing
• Analyse biochemical reactions (enzymic)
• Incorporate energy balance and heat transfer in the design and operation of CSTR and plug-flow reactors.
• Describe the steps in a heterogeneous catalytic reaction, and design a packed bed reactor.


Overview of Learning Activities

This course provides various learning opportunities including:
• Lectures, directed reading and interactive tutorials to develop the knowledge and skills essential for the design, operation and analysis of reactor systems.
• Assignments, tests and examinations will be used to test your understanding of the fundamentals of reaction engineering.
• Spreadheet and computer simulation models of reactor systems.


Overview of Learning Resources

Learning resources include a prescribed textbook with attached CD-ROM and associated web site, DLS Learning and Teaching Package, Reactor laboratory rig, and HYSYS computer simulation package.


Overview of Assessment

There are 3 components to the assessment:- Assignments, Laboratory report, Final Examination.