Course subject: Chemical Engineering (CHE)

Mathematical analysis of momentum, heat and mass transport in systems of chemical engineering interest:development of the differential equations of change (continuity, motion and energy) for forced convection in isothermal, non-isothermal and multi-component systems; description of velocity, temperature and concentration profiles and computation of momentum, energy and mass fluxes at surfaces under conditions of laminar flow; description of transport in turbulent flow by time-smoothing of the equations of change; turbulent velocity, temperature and concentration profiles.

: Introduction to the statistical foundations of thermodynamic quantities (entropy, pressure, temperature, free energy) and relations. Thermodynamics of multicomponent mixtures including property estimation, phase equilibrium, chemical equilibrium, and combined phase/chemical equilibrium. Estimation of Gibbs energy and fugacity of multicomponent mixtures. Example applications such as: combined phase/chemical equilibrium in chemical reactors, biochemical reactors, and electrolyte solutions.

An overview of interfacial phenomena, surface physical chemistry, importance of surfaces for small particles, and relevance to other subjects such as biology, nanotechnology and biomedicine. The fundamental concepts fo surface thermodynamics and intermolecular forces will be discussed.

Advanced engineering mathematics for the solution of linear differential equations arising from physiochemical models. Topics include scaling analysis of differential equations, series solutions for ordinary differential equations (ODEs), numerical solutions for initial/boundary value problems, Laplace transforms, characterization of partial differential equations (PDEs), and solution methods for PDEs (Sturm-Liouville transform, numerical methods).

Principles and applications of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. Adsorption, reaction kinetics and mass transfer effects. Catalyst synthesis and characterization. Industrial catalytic processes. The fundamentals of catalytic phenomena will focus on catalytic technology, catalyst materials, properties and preparation as well as catalyst characterization and selection.

Introduction to polymer processing concepts; fundamentals of polymer melt rheology; review of simple flows; characterization of mixtures and mixing; handling of particulate polymeric solids; polymer melting operations; modelling of polymer melt pressurization and pumping; overview of polymer extrusion principles; film extrusion operations; design of extrusion dies; polymer compounding and reactive extrusion; overview of molding operations; introduction to 3D printing techniques. Students are expected to have an understanding of concepts from polymer science, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and applied numerical methods.

Individual student project of technical and entrepreneurial relevance. Student develops a project proposal, a project plan, performs a technical analysis, and assesses engineering requirements (safety, regulatory, sustainability, and professional ethics). Submission of a written technical report and oral presentation summarizing project outcomes.

Design and control of bioprocesses with application to advanced or novel systems including enzymes, mixed cultures, genetically engineered cells, plant cells and animal cells. Exploration of new methods of producing materials, food, pharmaceuticals and providing services such as biological waste treatment.

Various courses dealing with particle-fluid dynamics, non-Newtonian flows, flow through porous media, heat and mass transfer in two-phase systems, and the use of transient and frequency response to measure physical quantities.

Various courses dealing with selected special topics such as advanced statistics, mathematical analysis, modelling, optimization and/or control of chemical processes.

Various courses dealing with selected topics such as kinetics of chemical and biological systems, theories of catalysis, catalyst manufacture, residence time distribution, reactor flow models and reactor stability and optimization.

Various courses dealing with selected special topics such as extractive metallurgy, hydrometallurgy, electrochemistry, electrochemical engineering, corrosion, materials science and engineering and interfacial phenomena.

Various courses dealing with selected topics in biochemical engineering, biotechnology, tissue engineering, food engineering, waste treatment technology and microbial engineering.

Various courses dealing with advanced methods of controlling air, water and solid waste pollution. Systems analysis and applications.