REFINERY SEPARATION PROCESSES - 2019/0

Module Overview

Multicomponent separation is the most commonly used industrial separation process and a sound understanding of the fundamental principles (material/energy balances, vapour-liquid, liquid-solid, gas-solid and liquid-liquid equilibrium, separation efficiency and system hydrodynamics) defining the operation of such processes is essential to a graduate engineer.  This module extends a students knowledge and understanding to include multicomponent systems involving distillation, filtration, ultra-filtration, ion exchange, adsorption, and cyclones.

Module provider

Chemical and Process Engineering

Module Leader

MILLINGTON Clive (Chm Proc Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

JACs code: H850

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Completion of the progression requirements to FHEQ Level 6 of degree courses in Chemical Engineering and Chemical and Bio-Systems Engineering or equivalent

Module content

Indicative content includes:

 

Multicomponent Liquid/Vapour Systems

            Ideal Systems            Ideal systems, K value definition/use, dew/bubble point calculations

 

            Non-ideal systems       Cubic equations of state

                                                Fugacity and compressibility

                                                Activity and Gibbs-Duhem equation

                                                Activity models

                                                Azeotropes

                                                Adsorbents and adsorption isotherms

                                                Non-linear isotherms    

                                                                   

Ideal Single Stage Vapour/Liquid Separation       Adiabatic single stage equilibrium

                                                                            Isenthalpic single stage equilibrium

 

Multicomponent Distillation            Flow rate, concentration and temperature profiles

                                                            Nmin and Rmin

                                                            Key and non-key components

                                                            Shortcut design        Fenske and Underwood equations

                                                                                                Gilliland Eduljee correlation

                                                                                                Kirkbride equation

                                                            Plate to plate design Generalised method

                                                                                                Inside out/rigorous solutions

Azeotropic Separation         Solvents and Extractors

                                            Pressure Swing Distillation

                                            Membrane separation

                                            Separation using adsorption

 

Complex Fractionation        TBP curves and pseudo components

                                            Pumparounds, side streams, multiple products

                                            Control of complex fractionation

 

Tray and Column Hydraulics          Efficiency and pressure drop

                                                      Design variables and effects on operation

                                                      Column malfunctions

 

Fluid/Solid and Bio-separations     Membranes, ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis

                                                       Adsorption column design

                                          Ion exchange

 

Petroleum Separation Processes

Separation/removal of fine catalyst particles from vapour and flue gas streams on the fluid catalytic cracking process involving equipment such as cyclones, electrostatic precipitators and wet gas scrubbers.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

New examination and class tests.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and analytical skills over the full range of module material and to encourage progressive learning.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Class Tests – 10%, 2x45 minute, (LO1, LO3)


• Examination – 80%, 2 hours (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4)  

Module aims

• a systematic appreciation and critical awareness of the importance of component separation to the process industry
• a comprehensive appreciation of the characteristics of the separation of ideal and non-ideal multicomponent systems using a variety of techniques
• an in-depth appreciation of the inter-relationships between the separation performance and operating parameters of multicomponent separating devices
• a knowledge of the design methodologies of multicomponent distillation columns
• an appreciation of the effects of hydraulic malfunction on separation efficiency and the ability to propose feasible scenarios of malfunction based on operating data
• prepare a scoping design and initial sizing of some separation operations of fluid/solid and biological systems, based on adsorption, ion-exchange, membranes and cyclones.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Take students logically through the challenging material associated with complex multicomponent multiphase separation.


• To ensure a logical and progressive learning experience


• To allow students to practice their skills on a series of real life tutorial problems in a supportive environment.

• Lectures                                 3.5 hours per week for 11 weeks (average)


• Tutorials                                 0.5 hour per week for 12 weeks (average)


• Drop-in sessions                    1 hour/week for 10 weeks (average) – [optional sessions]


• Independent Learning            8.8 hours per week for 12 weeks (average)

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

Reading list for REFINERY SEPARATION PROCESSES : http://aspire.surrey.ac.uk/modules/eng3199

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.