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The chemical reactor is the `heart¿ of the chemical process and this module aims to demonstrate how the performance of the reactor is key to successful chemical process design and optimisation. The principles of chemical equilibrium, reaction kinetics, mass balances and thermodynamics are applied to the design of the basic types of chemical reactors (batch reactors, tubular flow reactors, and continuous stirred tank reactors) in order to show how the design of the reactor influences the productivity, selectivity and economics of the chemical process, leading to the development of safe and sustainable production facilities. Practical physical design of tanks and tubular reactors is also considered, along with typical industrial configurations and relevant safety systems.
This module continues to develop the concepts studied in the Level 2 Reactor Design Course (EG-204). The engineering design of reaction vessels will be considered for chemical reaction systems that involve simultaneous reaction with mass transfer limitations in the fluid phase and the solid phase matrix that contain a chemical catalyst. Mathematical modelling of the kinetic rate equations therefore incorporates the concept of a mass transfer limitation effectiveness factor for the solid phase matrix, whilst the fluid mechanics is used to determine the fluid phase transfer limitations. The kinetic rate models are used to develop Design Performance Equations for industrial reaction systems based on the fixed bed catalytic reactor. Other reaction systems are discussed as industrial examples.
This is a distance learning module that contributes to the 'BioInnovation Wales' programme run jointly between Swansea and Aberystwyth Universities. The programme is a £3m EU funded prjoect to help employers address high level skills shortages in the agri-food and biotech sector. This elective module is a Masters Level course that will deliver a working knowledge of liquid phase membrane technologies and applications. This will include a high level overview of what membranes are, how they work, the filtration spectrum and the general applications of membranes. A background understanding of current membrane fabrication techniques to produce polymeric membranes in hollow fibre, flat sheet, tubular and spiral wound configurations will be developed, along with an outline of ceramic membrane production techniques. The design, construction and optimisation of membrane processes and plants will be considered with specific emphasis placed on configuration for given applications. An appreciation of membrane characterisation techniques will be developed, including SEM, AFM, particle sizing, zeta potential measurement, rejection and flux experimentation. The specific operations of membrane microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis will be investigated and some basic mathematical descriptions will be developed for design purposes. The course will conclude with a series of practical case studies detailing current applications of membrane processes relevant to the bio-sectors and scope for future development.
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