CHEM ENG 3033 - Separation Process Engineering

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course serves covers the principles and design of large-scale diffusional separation processes in equilibrium-stage and processes mass transfer continuous-contact operations. Throughout emphasis is placed on developing quantitative problem solving skills that will be essential to practicing graduates. Separation processes covered include distillation (including flash, binary column and multicomponent column), Gas absorption/stripping, Liquid-liquid extraction, washing and leaching, Membrane separation processes, and Sorption processes (including adsorption, ion exchange, and chromatography). Separation processes are a core part of global chemical engineering, making up a large proportion of capital investment in plants, and are vital to economically produce useful and safe products.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHEM ENG 3033
    Course Separation Process Engineering
    Coordinating Unit Chemical Engineering
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites CHEM ENG 2010
    Incompatible CHEM ENG 3005
    Assessment Tutorials, test, class presentation(s), final examination
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Philip van Eyk

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1 Understand the principles for designing selected separation units including distillation columns, gas aborption columns, extraction processes, washing and leaching processes, membrane processes and adorption columns.
    2 Understand the fundamental principles involved in these separation processes based on equilibrium and mass transfer processes
    3 Perform analysis and size separation processes using concepts including mass and energy balance, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, and phase equilibria
    4 Demonstrate skills in assessment of separation unit performance and optimisation
      
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):  
     
    1.11.21.31.41.51.62.12.22.32.43.13.23.33.43.53.6
    B C A C A C C C A A A A C B
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3-4

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3-4

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1-4
  • Learning Resources
    Online Learning
    A range of online resources will be provided via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The activities for this course are structured by week and include the following activities:

    Online Theory Lectures

    To be viewed before Workshop session

    Practice Workshops

    Solve problems together in class and go through solutions

    Tutorials

    Solve problems individually and submit answers for assessment
    Due a week after tutorial

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Activity In-class hours Out-of class-hours Expected total workload hours
    Lectures 0 16 16
    Workshops 24 24 48
    Tutorials 22 50 72
    In-class Test 4 10 14
    TOTAL 50 100 150
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topic 1 Introduction / Flash Distillation
    Topic 2 Binary Column Distillation 1
    Topic 3 Binary Column Distillation 2
    Topic 4 Multicomponent Distillation 1
    Topic 5 Multicomponent Distillation 2 + Column Design
    Topic 6 Absorption and Stripping
    Topic 7 Liquid-liquid Extraction 1
    Topic 8 Liquid-liquid Extraction 2 + Washing & Leaching
    Topic 9 Membrane Separation Processes 1
    Topic 10 Membrane Separation Processes 2
    Topic 11 Sorption Separation Processes

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Learning outcomes
    Quizzes 5 Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4.
    Workshop Engagement 5 Individual Summative Weeks 1-12 1. 2. 3. 4.
    Tutorials 25 Individual Formative Week 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4.
    Tests (x2) 20 Individual Formative Weeks 6,12 1. 2. 3. 4.
    Final Exam 45 Individual Summative Exam period 1. 2. 3. 4.
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
    Assessment Detail
    In this course the following assessments will be completed:

    Quizzes (individual) - weekly online quizzes before the next workshop based on the theory covered in the online lecture videos.

    Workshop Engagement - attendance and engagement during workshops throuighout the semester.

    Tutorials (individual) - weekly problems submitted a week after the tutorial session.

    Tests (individual) - 2 tests taken in class covering the two halves of the course.

    Final Exam - undertaken during the exam period.
    Submission
    All quizzes, and tutorials will be submitted via MyUni. The tests and workshop engagement will occur in class.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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