Tentative Syllabus
ChE 4501 Chemical Engineering Design I
Fall 2005
University of Minnesota Duluth
Department of Chemical Engineering

ChE 4501: Preliminary design of a chemical processing or hazardous waste treatment plant, including synthesis of process flow sheets, analysis and understanding of process conditions, preparation of manufacturing and capital cost estimates, use of engineering economics to evaluate plant profitability, use of a process simulator to facilitate process design activities, optimiztation of existing process flow sheets, energy integration and synthesis of heat exchanger networks, and consideration of health, safety and environmental issues in process design and operation.

Instructor:	Dr. Michael A. Rother
Office Hours:	MWF 2:50 - 3:50 (after class)
Office:	EB 223
Phone:	726-6154
e-mail:	mrother@d.umn.edu
Course Time & Location:	MWF 2:00 - 3:50 PM in SBE 20
Final Exam Date and Time:	Monday, December 20, 4:00 - 5:55 PM

Course Objectives:

The successful student will learn to

• Prepare manufacturing and capital cost estimates.
• Use engineering economics to evaluate plant profitability.
• Develop a process flow sheet and identify appropriate operating conditions for a process.
• Use simulation techniques to design equipment and prcesses and to analyze their performance.
• Analyze and improve the performance of equipment and processes.
• Apply energy integration techniques and synthesize heat exchanger networks.
• Understand the role of ethics, health, safety and environmental issues in the design of a chemical plant or hazardous wate treatment facility.
• Develop oral and written communication skills.
• Work as a member of a design team.

Program Objectives (ABET):

• Students will apply knowledge from mathematics, science and engineering courses to design and analyze the performance of new processes and to evaluate and improve the performance of existing processes. (A)
• Students will design systems and process components. (C)
• Students will work together in a team to solve design problems, utilize outside resources (literature, expertise from other disciplines) in solving design problems, evaluate the economic merit of the proposed solution, and communicate their results effectively via reports and presentations. (D)
• Students will use the problem-solving skills developed in this course to identify, describe and solve design problems, taking into account technical, economic, social and marketing issues. (E)
• Students will learn to communicate their design solutions effectively via professional reports and presentations. These reports and presentations will use reference material properly and demonstrate effective use of charts, graphs and tabulated information. (G)
• In teaching various elements of the course, the instructor will use examples from contemporary literature (business magazines, trade journals, etc.) to make students aware of industry trends and changes that will impact their careers as chemical engineers. (J)
• Students will use modern engineering tools (software) in developing and presenting solutions to design problems. These tools will include word processing and presentation software for preparation of reports and presentations; spreadsheets and numerical analysis software for engineering analysis (e.g., Mathcad); and specialized programs for heat exchanger network design (HENSAD), capital cost (CapCost), and flow sheet simulation (HYSYS). (K)
• Students will be exposed to topics related to the health, safety, environmental and ethical issues that can arise in the design and operation of chemical processes. They will be expected to incorporate appropriate health, safety and environmental controls into their design solutions. (F,H,J,M)

Required Text:

Analysis, Synthesis and Design of Chemical Processes, 2nd edition. Richard Turton, Richard Bailie, Wallace Whiting, and Joseph Shaeiwitz. Prentice Hall International Series, ISBM 0-13-064792-6.

Grading Policy:

Assessment Distribution

Your final grade for the course will be determined from the weight-average of exam grades, project grades and the composite score for graded homework assignments. The following weighting factors will be used:

Grading Scale

Grading of individual assignments will be done with a point-accumulation mechanism. Exams and homework will be graded with a numerical score. Projects (reports and presentations) will be assigned a letter grade and converted to a numerical score using the average value from the grading scale below, which is also the grading scale for the course:

Grading Philosophy

In grading reports and presentations, I will try to apply the following standards:

Students will also evaluate the presentations of their peers, and their scores will be used to weight each student's grade.

For exams and homewrok assignments, each problem will be worth a specified maximum number of points. The number of points actually awarded for the problem will reflect the degree to which you correctly solved the problem. In making this assessment, I will take into account your solution strategy (i.e., problem setup), as well as the final answer. Therefore, it is to your advantage to provide well organized and well documented solutions with clear statemnets of assumptions and methods. A deduction may be take for lack of neatness.

Class Topics, Requirements, Exam Dates and Assignment Due Dates:

See 'Tentative Schedule,' which is attached. Content and timing may be adjusted during the semester.

Special Out-of-Class Requirements:

All students are expected to know and use appropriate software, such as Excel, a word processor, PowerPoint, SmartSketch, CapCost, HENSAD and HYSYS for assignments.

Attendance Requirements:

Students are reponsible for all assignments and material covered in class whether they are present or not. Attendance will not be taken.

Course Policies and Expectations:

The format of the course includes reading assignments, lectures, homework assignments (graded and ungraded), projects (computer projects, reports and presentations), and exams.

Reading - The material to be covered each class period may be found in the 'Tentative Schedule.'

Homework - Two categories of homework will be assigned in this class:

Suggested Homework: These will typically be shorter problems that I assign to help you develop skills. Since these problems are appropriate for exam questions, I do not plan to grade or collect the suggested homework. I will go over these problems and work additional ones in class, as well.

Graded Homework: These will typically be longer problems that involve more complex calculations and analysis and relate to topics that we have already covered in class. because these longer problems are not appropriate as exam questions, I will collect and grade these assignments. Aneat, well-organized and well-documented presentation of your solution, with clearly stated assumptions and methods is expected. Collaborative discussion of solution strategies for these assignments is OK, but solutions should be developed, written up and submitted independently. Graded homework must be submitted by the assigned due date. Late submissions will be penalized 10% for each day they are late.

Project Assignments - Projects must be turned in by the assigned date and time. Late projects will be penalized 10% for each day they are late. If you feel you cannot meet a deadline due to extraordinary circumstances, please see me to discuss the issue before the assignment deadline.

Exams - Exams will be in-class and open book. Unless otherwise indicated, use of notes and graded homework will be allowed.

Class Participation - While there is no formal grading component associated with class participation, I will try to monitor your degree of preparation and participation. At my discretion, people who have actively participated in class may receive bonus points.

Student Intellectual Integrity - Exams and independent projects must be done independently. Cheating on exams or plagiarism may result in a failing grade.

Make-up and Incomplete Policies:

Make-up exams are possible if a valid reason exists and plans are made ahead of time. At my discretion, an additional project may be assigned in place of a make-up exam.

Incomplete grading - The incomplete grade will only be allowed in cases where the student contacts the instructor before the last scheduled day of classes. The student and instructor must agree in writing concerning the timing and quantity of work to be completed in order to remove the incomplete grade. Failure to complete the required and agreed upon work before this time will result in a failing or other appropriate grade.

Statement on Participation by Students with Disabilities:

Individuals who have a disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the semester. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide equitable participation.