REFINERY SEPARATION PROCESSES - 2019/0

Module code: ENG3199

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 Alan (Chm Proc Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 100

Lecture Hours: 44

Tutorial Hours: 6

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

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
School-timetabled exam/test Class Tests (2 x 45 minute tests on distillation) 20
Examination Examination (2 hours) 80

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)  



Formative assessment



None



Feedback



Verbal feedback during tutorial sessions and the optional drop-in sessions, written feedback from Class Tests.


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

Attributes Developed
001 Propose suitable models to explain the complexity of multicomponent multiphase equilibrium and to test and confirm their applicability. KC
002 Explain the operating characteristics of multicomponent separating devices and their inter-relationship and analyse the appropriate equilibrium, material and energy balances. KC
003 Confidently scope out a distillation column design in sufficient detail to efficiently set up a process simulator to carry out a design simulation. KCP
004 Accurately prepare a scoping design and initial sizing of some fluid/solid and biological separation operations based on adsorption, ion-exchange, membranes and cyclones. KC

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

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.



The learning and teaching methods include:




  • 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

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG3199

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering BEng (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering MEng 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

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.