Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The candidate:

• Can explain material and energy flows in chemical processes on the basis of a flowchart and block diagram
• Has knowledge of how a new process can be designed
• Has knowledge of how capital and operating costs are calculated for a chemical process
• Has knowledge of how changes in various process parameters affect the material and energy flows in a process, and how the process can be optimized with respect to energy consumption and profitability
• Has knowledge of the simulation program Aspen HYSYS
• Has knowledge of HSE assessment in process plants
• Has knowledge of catalysis
• Has knowledge of materials choice in process equipment
• Has knowledge of basic regulation and control strategies in chemical processes

Skills

The candidate

• Can prepare an estimated cost of investment and operating costs for a processing plant at the feasibility study level
• Can use Aspen HYSYS to calculate the flow of materials and energy needs in chemical processes
• Can use Aspen HYSYS to perform parameter studies and optimization considerations for a process plant
• Can perform a profitability analysis for a project based on capital and operating investments and compare different process options
• Can evaluate the choice of process parameters and materials used in process equipment

General competence

The candidate:

• Is aware of the environmental, safety and financial consequences of chemical processes, and is able to view these in local and global perspectives
• Can participate in discussions related to the discipline, and has respect for and openness to other disciplines

Course Description

The course focuses on the following themes:

• Methods for designing chemical process plants from scratch, and generating various process options at a preliminary level
• Methods for setting up simplified models for material flows in a process
• Estimating capital and operating costs in a process
• Conducting profitability analysis of various processes and process investments and comparing different process alternatives
• Using Aspen HYSYS to process simulations, and sensitivity studies and optimization studies with respect to the energy consumption and profitability of a process
• Impact assessments and HSE in process plants
• Operation of catalysts

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures, exercises, use of computer tools for simulation tasks

HYSYS exercises:

Obligatory student participation in HYSYS lab sessions. The exercises will be carried out individually and must be approved but will not be included in the final assessment. Approval of the exercises is done continuously during the sessions when the exercises are carried out.

Students who do not complete the course requirements on time and who do not have valid documented reasons for not fulfilling the course requirements will not be allowed to sit the examination and consequently will not receive a final grade for the course.

Assessment Methods

The HYSYS exercises are obligatory, and must be approved before students will be allowed to sit the final examination.

Written individual mid-term examination or group project (30%).

Written individual final examination (70%), which must be passed in order to pass the course.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean