A derivation of the conservation equations for fixed bed tubular reactors in cylindrical coordinates is presented and a differential operator for the substantial derivative in porous beds is introduced. The emphasis on the distinction between the functions of the void and volume fractions in the derivation of the conservation equations sets the…

Examples of applications of equilibrium-based methods for multicomponent separations usually require the use of simulation packages, which do not allow students to follow the involved algorithms step by step. Excel spreadsheets with examples of six such rigorous methods have been used with MSc students of Chemical Engineering of the University of…

Length of the Unused Bed (LUB) methods for scaling sorbers have confusing and complicated pedagogically elements. One method limits feeds to C/C[subscript F] < 0.3; a limitation not stated in the established textbooks. Discussed is a new LUB method with no limitation on the feed C/C[subscript F]. It fixes the pedagogically confusing and…

Product design is an emerging area within the discipline of chemical engineering. While in the past product design was left to practicing engineers as well as research and development professionals, more recently, product design courses have started to appear within the chemical engineering curriculum, both as electives and required courses,…

A case study of regression analysis based on modeling Gilliland's correlation was described for use in a computational methods course. The case study uses a familiar example to train students in nonlinear least squares regression and to use standardized residual plots for model assessment. Previously published equations for Gilliland's correlation…

Our exponentially increasing knowledge base creates many new technology challenges. Academia must therefore respond emphatically. Educating rising professionals to successfully confront these future difficulties requires innovative curricula challenges. A successful adaptation integrates STEM program protocols into core courses. Embracing…

Although students take courses in transport phenomena and thermodynamics, they probably do not ask whether these two subjects are related. Here we give an answer to that question. Specifically we give relationships between the equations of change for total energy, internal energy, and entropy of transport phenomena and key equations of equilibrium…

Chemical engineering problems often involve the solution of systems of nonlinear algebraic equations (NLE). There are several software packages that can be used for solving NLE systems, but they may occasionally fail, especially in cases where the mathematical model contains discontinuities and/or regions where some of the functions are undefined.…

Generating a problem that addresses multiple course learning objectives can be a challenging, but worthwhile exercise for a professor. These types of problems are particularly useful late in a course to help students tie together seemingly disparate concepts to solve an integrated problem that requires them to review concepts mastered throughout…

A sample class project utilizing Excel spreadsheets to develop a flash drum simulator is demonstrated. In addition to solving equations for mole and enthalpy balances, students are trained to carry out vapor-liquid equilibrium calculations. More importantly, students gain a solid understanding of the link between hand calculations and simulator…

The use of active learning techniques in engineering classrooms has been limited despite substantial evidence supporting their efficacy in helping students construct problem-solving expertise. A blended classroom, which combines online and in-class learning, was employed in a Chemical Engineering Computation class to address instructional…

The degrees of freedom (DOF) concept is a powerful tool that has been taught since at least the '70s in undergraduate curriculum, typically introduced in the context of a first course on material and energy balances. The concept, however, has not been widely applied beyond the material balance domain and in general is not taught as a unified…

US high school (HS) students are lagging behind their foreign peers in math performance. It is thus necessary to design teaching modules that motivate US HS students to learn more math and to improve their math skills. Our study set out to test two different software programs designed for the development of such skills. MATLAB Simulink provides a…

The double-tangent construction of coexisting phases is an elegant approach to visualize all the multiphase binary systems that satisfy the equality of chemical potentials and to select the stable state. In this paper, we show how to perform the double-tangent construction of coexisting phases for binary systems modeled with the gamma-phi…

A problem that illustrates two ways of computing the break-even radius of insulation is outlined. The problem is suitable for students who are taking an introductory module in heat transfer or transport phenomena and who have some previous knowledge of the numerical solution of non- linear algebraic equations. The potential for computer algebra,…