Module overview
This module provides a comprehensive overview of fluids and separation processes, focusing on key mechanisms, principles and design of units for industrial processes with an emphasis on processes that have simultaneous heat and mass transfer.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply the principles of the different unit operations in the design of separation units for industrial processes,
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate different separation processes and select the most appropriate for different types of separations;
- Apply methods to characterise the performance of separations and mixing processes;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Integrate knowledge of health, safety and sustainability into the design of industrial separations;
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Describe methods used for the processing of fluids, including the thermodynamic and transport properties and mass and energy balances;
Cognitive Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply concepts of fluids dynamics, heat and mass transfer in separation processes;
Syllabus
Thermodynamics and phase equilibria. Ternary diagrams and tie-lines.
Distillation operations: description of the distillation process; methods of distillation including batch, continuous, and flash distillation; methods for design of distillation systems including the McCabe-Thiele and Ponchon-Savarit methods; Efficiency and limiting conditions of binary distillation; multicomponent distillation and the Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland method; azetropic and extractive distillation.
Leaching and extraction: general and working principles of leaching and extraction; leaching equipment including Bollman and Hildebrandt extractors; extraction equipment including mixer-settlers, spray and packed extraction towers, and agitated tower extractors; determination of solvent rates and number of theoretical stages for continuous countercurrent and multistage extraction operations.
Absorption: description of absorption and the associated mass and energy balances; solvent selection, equilibrium stages, limiting cases.
Gas-liquid equipment: columns, packing, mass transfer and transfer to a stagnant layer (concentrated and dilute), two-film theory, equimolar counterdiffusion, number of transfer units and height of a transfer unit.
Green Chemistry and Separations: Principles of Green Chemistry; energy and material flow analysis; Material and Energy Conservation; Waste Minimisation; Green solvents.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will be done with a combination of formal lectures, paper-based problem-solving sessions and laboratory sessions. There will be a emphasis on active learning techniques, including workshops and tutorial sessions that focus on exercises and problems
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Practical | 6 |
| Lecture | 24 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 40 |
| Revision | 12 |
| Independent Study | 58 |
| Workshops | 10 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| A lab report | 10% |
| Final Exam | 60% |
| Coursework and class tests | 30% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External