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Chemical Engineering

http://www.che.lehigh.edu/blog/

Professors. Philip A. Blythe, Ph.D. (Manchester, England); Hugo S. Caram, Ph.D. (Minnesota); Manoj K. Chaudhury, Ph.D. (SUNY-Buffalo), Franklin J. Howes Jr. Professor; Mohamed S. El-Aasser, Ph.D. (McGill), VP for International Affairs; Alice P. Gast, PhD. (Princeton), President; James T. Hsu, Ph.D. (Northwestern); Anand Jagota (Cornell), Director of Bioengineering; Andrew Klein, Ph.D. (North Carolina State); Mayuresh V. Kothare, Ph.D. (California Institute of Technology) R. L. McCann Professor; William L. Luyben, Ph.D. (Delaware); Anthony J. McHugh, Ph.D. (Delaware), Ruth H. and Sam Madrid Professor, Chair; Arup K. Sengupta, Ph.D. (Houston); Cesar A. Silebi, Ph.D. (Lehigh); Israel E. Wachs, Ph.D. (Stanford), G. Whitney Snyder Professor.

Associate Professor. James F. Gilchrist, Ph.D. (Northwestern).

Assistant Professors. Bryan W. Berger, Ph.D. (Delaware); Steven McIntosh Ph.D. (UPenn); P.C. Rossin assistant Professor Jeetain Mittal - Ph.D. (UT-Austin); Frank Hook Assistant Professor Mark A. Snyder, Ph.D. (Delaware).

Professor of Practice. Lori Herz, Ph.D. (Rutgers); Susan F. Perry, Ph.D. (Penn State); Kemal Tuzla, Ph.D. (Istanbul Technical), Associate Chair.

Adjunct Professor. Vincent G. Grassi, Ph.D. (Lehigh); Shivaji Sircar, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania).

Principal Research Scientists. Eric S. Daniels, Ph.D. (Lehigh).

Emeritus Professors. Marvin Charles, Ph.D. (Brooklyn Polytechnic); John C. Chen, Ph.D. (Michigan), Dean emeritus; Arthur E. Humphrey, Ph.D. (Columbia), provost emeritus; William E. Schiesser, Ph.D. (Princeton); Leslie H. Sperling, Ph.D. (Duke); Fred P. Stein, Ph.D. (Michigan)

The mission of the undergraduate program is “to educate students in the scientific principles of chemical engineering and provide opportunities to explore their applications in the context of a humanistic education that prepares them to address technological and societal challenges.”

Modern chemical engineering is built around the fundamentals enabling sciences of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Its curriculum encompasses three basic organizing principles: Molecular Transformations, Multi-scale Analysis, and System Approaches. Chemical engineers serve a wide variety of technical and managerial functions within the chemical processing industry. For a lifetime of effectiveness they need a sound background in the fundamental sciences of chemistry and physics; a working capability with mathematics, numerical methods, and application of computer solutions; and a broad education in humanities, social sciences, and managerial techniques. These bases are applied in a sequence of chemical engineering courses in which logic and mathematical manipulation are applied to chemical processing problems. With the resulting habits of precise thought coupled to a broad base in scientific and general education, Lehigh graduates have been effective throughout industry and in advanced professional education. No effort is made toward any specific industry, but adaptation is rapid and the fundamental understanding forms the base for an expanding career.

The program is also designed to prepare a student for graduate study in chemical engineering. Further study at the graduate level leading to advanced degrees is highly desirable if an individual wishes to participate in the technical development of the field. The increasing complexity of modern manufacturing methods requires superior education for men and women working in research, development, and the design fields or for teaching.

To achieve its educational mission, the Department of Chemical Engineering has established the following set of Program Educational Objectives: Graduates of the Undergraduate Program in Chemical Engineering will:

1. apply their broad education in chemical engineering to pursue careers in industry, government agencies, consulting firms, educational institutions, financial institutions, business, law, and medicine.

2. participate in lifelong learning through graduate studies, research, and continuing education.

3. contribute as successful practitioners, developers and/or leaders addressing technological and societal challenges.

4. recognize the societal, ethical, and technical implications of their work as it affects the environment, safety, and health of citizens worldwide.

Minor in Biotechnology

The department of Chemical Engineering encourages engineering students to broaden their education by taking a minor. In this regard, a Biotechnology Minor is offered to students majoring in Engineering College. The Biotechnology minor requires 15 credit hours. A detailed listing of the required courses for the Biotechnology Minor can be obtained from the Chemical Engineering Department.

Minor in Chemical Engineering

Minor in Chemical Engineering provides students Chemical Engineering knowledge that they do not acquire in their major, such as knowledge of bio-chemical systems, transport phenomena, reaction engineering. This will widen their skills and help to increase the cooperation between the disciplines, which will lead to increased possibilities for employment.

Physical Facilities

The chemical engineering department is the only engineering department located on Lehigh’s 780 acres Mountaintop Campus. Here the department occupies approximately one-third of Iacocca Hall, the 200,000-square-foot flagship building that contains offices, classrooms, and laboratories. Additional plant facilities, and the undergraduate chemical processing laboratory occupy approximately 10,000-square-feet in the nearby Imbt building.

These facilities provide excellent support for a wide range of general and special laboratory equipment for undergraduate and graduate studies of the behavior of typical chemical processing units; bioengineering research; nanotechnology; energy; biochemical engineering; polymers; digital computation for process dynamics study; and study of thermodynamics, kinetics, heat transfer, and mass transfer.

The chemical engineering department has established a senior design laboratory in Iacocca Hall featuring 25 PCs. In addition, a 10PC university maintained computing laboratory is available nearby.

Career Opportunities

Chemical engineers play important roles in all activities bearing on the chemical process industry. These include the functions of research, development, design, plant construction, plant operation and management, corporate planning, technical sales, and market analysis.

The industries that produce chemical and/or certain physical changes in fluids, including petroleum and petrochemicals, rubbers and polymers, pharmaceuticals, bioengineering, metals, industrial and fine chemicals, foods, and industrial gases, have found chemical engineers to be vital to their success. Chemical engineers are also important participants in pollution abatement, energy resources, national defense programs, and more recently in the manufacture of microelectronic devices and integrated circuits.

Special Programs and Opportunities

Co-op Program: The department, in conjunction with the College of Engineering and Applied Science, operates a cooperative program that is optional for specially selected students who are entering their junior year. This program affords early exposure to industry and an opportunity to integrate an academic background with significant periods of engineering practice. Our program is unique in offering two work experiences and still allowing the co-op students to graduate in four years with their class.

OSI Program: The Opportunities for Student Innovation (OSI) program seeks to develop students’ propensities for critical assessment and innovative solution of meaningful problems. The OSI program affords selected seniors an opportunity to experience team research leading toward technological benefits. Each project is hosted by a company and carried out under the supervision of a Lehigh faculty member.

Minors and Specializations: Technical minors are available in biotechnology, computer science, environmental engineering, manufacturing systems, materials science and engineering, and polymer science and engineering. Chemical Engineering also offers specialization certificates in polymer science, biotechnology, and process modeling and control. Minors are also available from the Business College and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Overseas: Study abroad is available in exchange programs that have been established by the department for the junior year at the University of Nottingham (United Kingdom) and for the summer following the junior year at the University of Dortmund (Germany). Please visit http://www.che.lehigh.edu/blog/2007/01/undergraduate_program.html#more

Requirements of the Major - 131 credit hours are required for graduation with the degree of bachelor of science in chemical engineering.

freshman year (see Recommended Freshman Year)

sophomore year, first semester (16 credit hours)

sophomore year, second semester (17 credit hours)

junior year, first semester (17 credit hours)

CHM 341 Molecular Structure, Bonding and Dynamics (3)

junior year, second semester (18 credit hours)

senior year, first semester (18 credit hours)

senior year, second semester (15 credit hours)

There are six types of electives:

1. Humanities/Social Sciences: See the requirements set by the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science (Section 3). Note that ECO 1 is required, as well as Freshman English.

2. Bio-Elective: Students must have AP BIOS credits or must pick one from BIOS 41, BioE 349, ChE 341, or CHM 371.

3. Three credit hours from approved courses in other engineering departments (BioE, CEE, CSE, ECE, ISE, MEM, MSE).

4. Chemistry: 3 credit hours of CHM 300-level or higher, or CHE 380.

5. Chemical Engineering: 3 credit hours of CHE 300 level or higher.

6. Free electives: 6 credit hours in any subject area.

Electives in (2) to (5) above can be combined with any technical minor in RCEAS.

Undergraduate Courses

CHE 31. Material and Energy Balances of Chemical Processes (3) fall

Material and energy balances with and without chemical reaction. Introduction to phase equilibrium calculations. Applications in chemical process calculations and in design of staged separations: binary distillation, liquid-liquid extraction. Plant trips and special lectures introducing the profession. Prerequisite: CHEM 30 or equivalent and ENG 1 previously or concurrently.

CHE 44. Fluid Mechanics (3) spring

Fluid mechanics and its applications to chemical processes. Momentum and energy balances in fluid flow. Dimensional analysis. Fluid flow in pipes, packed and fluidized beds. Mixing and agitation. Filtration and sedimentation.

CHE 85. Undergraduate Research (1)

Independent study of a problem involving laboratory investigation, design, or theoretical studies under the guidance of a faculty. Consent of the department chair. The course may be repeated for up to 3 credits.

CHE 151. Introduction to Heat Transfer (3) fall

Fundamental principles of heat transfer. Fourier’s law. Conduction, convection and radiation. Analysis of steady and unsteady state heat transfer. Evaporation and condensation. Applications to the analysis and design of chemical processing units involving heat transfer. Prerequisite: CHE 44.

CHE 171 (CEE 171, EMC 171, ES171) Fundamentals of Environmental Technology (4)

Introduction to water and air quality, water, air and soil pollution. Chemistry of common pollutants. Technologies for water purification, wastewater treatment, solid and hazardous waste management, environmental remediation, and air quality control. Global changes, energy and environment. Constraints of environmental protection on technology development and applications. Constraints of economic development on environmental quality. Environmental life cycle analysis and environmental policy. Prerequisite: EES (ES) 002, or one advanced science course or permission of instructor. Not available to students in RCEAS.

CHE 179. Professional Development (1) spring

Elements of professional growth, registration, ethics, and the responsibilities of engineers both as employees and as independent practitioners. Proprietary information and its handling. Patents and their importance. Discussions with the staff and with visiting Lecturers. A few plant trips.

CHE 185. Undergraduate Research I (1-3)

Independent study of a problem involving laboratory investigation, design, or theoretical studies under the guidance of a faculty member. Can be repeated up to a total of three credits.

CHE 186. Undergraduate Research II (1-3)

A continuation of the project begun under CHE 185. Prerequisite: CHE 185 or consent of the department chair. Can be repeated up to a total of three credits.

CHE 201. Methods of Analysis in Chemical Engineering (3) fall

Analytical and numerical methods of solution applied to dynamic, discrete and continuous chemical engineering processes. Laplace Transforms. Methods of analysis applied to equilibrium, characteristic value and non-linear chemical engineering problems. Prerequisite: MATH 23 and CHE 44.

CHE 202. Chemical Engineering Laboratory I (2) fall

The laboratory study of chemical engineering unit operations and the reporting of technical results. One three-hour laboratory and one lecture period per week. Independent study and both group and individual reporting. Prerequisite: CHE 151.

CHE 203. Chemical Engineering Laboratory II (2) spring

Laboratory experience with more complex chemical processing situations including processes involving chemical reactions and those controlled automatically. Prerequisite: CHE 244 and CHE 210.

CHE 210. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (4) spring

Energy relations and their application to chemical engineering. Consideration of flow and nonflow processes. Evaluation of the effects of temperature and pressure on the thermodynamic properties of fluids. Heat effects accompanying phase changes and chemical reactions. Determination of chemical and physical equilibrium. Prerequisite: CHE 31.

CHE 211. Chemical Reactor Design (3) spring

The theory of chemical kinetics to the design and operation of chemical reactors. Plug flow and continuous stirred tank reactors. Homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction kinetics. Design of isothermal and adiabatic reactors. Prerequisite: CHE 210 or equivalent.

CHE 233. Process Design I (3) fall

Design of chemical plants incorporating traditional elements of engineering economics and synthesis of steady-state flowsheets with (1) both heuristic and rigorous optimization methods and (2) consideration of dynamic controllability of the process. Economic principles involved in the selection of process alternatives and determination of process capital, operating costs, and venture profitability. Energy conservation, pinch techniques, heat exchanger networks, and separation sequences. Considerations of market limitations, environmental and regulatory restrictions, and process safety. Use of modern computer aided software for steady-state and dynamic simulation and optimization. Group design projects. Prerequisites: CHE 211, CHE 242 and CHE 244.

CHE 234. Process Design II (3) spring

Continuation of CHE 233. Prerequisite CHE 233.

CHE 242. Introduction to Process Control and Simulation (3) fall

Dynamic simulation of chemical processes. Transfer functions and block diagrams. Introduction to process control equipment. Open-loop and closed-loop stability analysis using root locus and Nyquist techniques. Design of control systems. Prerequisites: CHE 201, CHE 151, and ENGR 1.

CHE 244. Mass Transfer and Separation Processes (3) spring

Diffusion, fluxes, and component conservation equations. Fick’s law. Unsteady state diffusion. Convective mass transfer. Interphase mass transport coefficients. Design of multicomponent-distillation, absorption, extraction, and fixed-bed processes. Prerequisites: CHE 31 and CHE 44.

CHE 280. Unit Operations Survey (3) spring

The theory of heat, mass and momentum transport. Laminar and turbulent flow of real fluids. Heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation. Application to a wide range of operations in the chemical and metallurgical process industries.

CHE 281. Chemical Engineering Fundamentals I (4) fall

Fundamentals of material balances, fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Prerequisites: Undergraduate degree in a scientific or engineering discipline or one semester undergraduate level general chemistry, one semester undergraduate level physics (statics and dynamics), and two semesters undergraduate calculus and department permission.

CHE 282. Chemical Engineering Fundamentals II (4) spring

Fundamentals of heat and mass transfer, process energy balances and unit operations. Prerequisites: CHE 281, or equivalent, and department permission.

CHE 283. Chemical Engineering Fundamentals III (4) fall

Fundamentals of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics and reactor analysis, and applied mathematics. Prerequisites: CHE 281 and 282 and department permission.

For Advanced Undergraduates and Graduate Students

CHE 306 (MATH 306) Introduction to Biomedical Engineering and Mathematical Biology (3)

Study of human physiology, including the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems, and renal physiology. Mathematical analysis of physiological processes, including transport phenomena. Mathematical models of excitation and propagation in nerve. Biomechanics of the skeletal muscle system. Mathematical models in population dynamics and epidemiology. Independent study projects.

Prerequisite: MATH 205.

CHE 331. Separation Processes (3)

Industrial separation chemistry and processes. Computer solutions for simple and complex multicomponent distillation columns. Azeotropic and extractive distillation. Adsorption, ion exchange and chromatography in packed beds, moving beds and cyclic operation. Synthesis of polymer membrane and its applications to industrial separation processes.

CHE 334. (MAT 334, EES 338) Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis (4) fall

Fundamentals and experimental methods in electron optical techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) conventional transmission (TEM) and scanning transmission (STEM) electron microscopy. Specific topics covered will include electron optics, electron beam interactions with solids, electron diffraction and chemical microanalysis. Applications to the study of the structure of materials are given. Prerequisite: consent of the department chair.

CHE 339 (BIOE 339) Neuronal Modeling and Computation (3)

Neuroscience in a computational, mathematical, and engineering framework. Literature surveys and case studies with simulations. Computational aspects of information processing within the nervous system by focusing on single neuron modeling. Single neurons and how their biological properties relate to neuronal coding. Biophysics of single neurons, signal detection and signal reconstruction, information theory, population coding and temporal coding. Prerequisites: ENGR 1 and Math 205.

CHE 341 (BIOE 341). Biotechnology I (3) fall

Applications of material and energy balances; heat, mass, and momentum transfer; enzyme and microbial kinetics; and mathematical modeling to the engineering design and scale-up of bio-reactor systems. Prerequisites: ChE 31, CHM 31, and MATH 205; the consent of the instructor. Closed to students who have taken CHE 441 (BIOE 341 and 441).

CHE 342 (BIOE 342). Biotechnology II (3) spring

Engineering design and analysis of the unit operations used in the recovery and purification of products manufactured by the biotechnology industries. Requirements for product finishing and waste handling will be addressed. Prerequisite: ChE 31 and CHM 31; and the consent of the instructor. Closed to students who have taken CHE 442 (BIOE 342 and 442).

CHE 344 (BIOE 344). Molecular Bioengineering (3)

Kinetics in small systems, stochastic simulation of biochemical processes, receptor-mediated adhesion, dynamics of ion-channels, ligand binding, biochemical transport, surface Plasmon resonance, DNA microarray design, and chemical approaches to systems biology. Prerequisites: Math 205 and Math 231, or senior standing in ChE.

CHE 346. Biochemical Engineering Laboratory (3)

Laboratory and pilot-scale experiments in fermentation and enzyme technology, tissue culture, and separations techniques. Prerequisites: CHE 341, previously or concurrently; and the consent of the instructor. Closed to students who have taken CHE 446.

CHE 350. Special Topics (1-3)

A study of areas in chemical engineering not covered in courses presently listed in the catalog. May be repeated for credit if different material is presented.

CHE 364. Numerical Methods in Engineering (3)

Survey of the principal numerical algorithms for: (1) functional approximation, (2) linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, (3) initial and boundary-value ordinary differential equations and (4) elliptic, hyperbolic and parabolic partial differential equations. Analysis of the computational characteristics of numerical algorithms, including algorithm structure, accuracy, convergence, stability and the effect of computer characteristics, e.g., the machine epsilon and dynamic range. Applications of mathematical software in science and engineering.

CHE 373. (CEE 373) Fundamentals of Air Pollution (3)

Introduction to the problems of air pollution including such topics as: sources and dispersion of pollutants; sampling and analysis; technology of economics and control processes; legislation and standards. Prerequisite: senior standing in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

CHE 374 Environmental Catalysis (3)

Pollution emissions in the USA (NOx, SOx, NH3, CO, VOCs, PM, heavy metals and persistent bioaccumulative chemicals) and their sources and fate. Fundamental concepts of catalysis (surface and their characterization, physical adsorption, surface reaction mechanisms and their kinetics). Application of catalysis to a wide range of environmental issues (catalytic combustion of VOCs, automotive catalytic converter, selective catalytic conversion of NOx, etc.) Prerequisite: Senior standing and instructor approval

ChE 375 (CEE 375) Environmental Engineering Processes (3) Fall

Processes applied in environmental engineering for air pollution control, treatment of drinking water, municipal wastewater, industrial wastes, hazardous/toxic wastes, and enviroinmental remediation. Kinetics, reactor theory, mass balances, application of fundamental physical, chemical and biological principles to analysis and design. Prerequisite: CEE 170 or equivalent.

CHE 376 (ME 376) Energy: Issues & Technology (3)

Energy usage and supply, fossil fuel technologies, renewable energy alternatives and environmental impacts. The scope will be broad to give some perspective of the problems, but in-depth technical analysis of many aspects will also be developed. Prerequisites: college-level introductory courses in chemistry, physics and mathematics and instructor approval.

CHE 380. Senior Research Project – OSI (1-3) fall/spring

Independent study of a problem involving laboratory investigation, design, and theory, when possible involves one of the local communities or industries. Team work under the guidance of Faculty advisors. Experiential learning opportunity to bridge educational gap between conventional textbook learning and industrial approaches to real-world technical problem solving. Prerequisite: Senior standing and departmental approval. The course may be repeated for up to six credits.

CHE 386. Process Control (3)

Open-loop and closed-loop stability analysis using root locus and Nyquist techniques, design of feedback controllers with time and frequency domain specifications. Experimental process identification. Control of multivariable processes. Introduction to sampled-data control theory. Prerequisite: CHE 242 or equivalent.

CHE 387. (ECE 387, ME 387) Digital Control (3)

Sampled-data systems; z-transforms; pulse transfer functions; stability in the z-plane; root locus and frequency response design methods; minimal prototype design; digital control hardware; discrete state variables; state transition matrix; Liapunov stability state feedback control (2 lectures and one laboratory per week). Prerequisite: CHE 386 or ECE 212 or ME 343 or consent of instructor.

CHE 388. (CHEM 388, MAT 388) Polymer Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory (3)

Techniques include: free radical and condensation polymerization; molecular weight distribution by gel chromatography; crystallinity and order by differential scanning calorimetry; pyrolysis and gas chromatography; dynamic mechanical and dielectric behavior; morphology and microscopy; surface properties. Prerequisite: senior level standing in CHE, CHM or MAT, or permission of the instructor. (ES 2), (ED 1)

CHE 389. (ECE 389, ME 389) Control Systems Lab (2) spring

Experiments on a variety of mechanical, electrical and chemical dynamic control systems. Exposure to state-of-the-art control instrumentation: sensors, transmitters, control valves, analog and digital controllers. Emphasis on comparison of theoretical computer simulation predictions with actual experimental data. Lab teams will be interdisciplinary. Prerequisite: CHE 242, ECE 212, or ME 343. (ES 1), (ED 1)

CHE 391. (CHEM 391) Colloid and Surface Chemistry (3)

Physical chemistry of everyday phenomena. Intermolecular forces and electrostatic phenomena at interfaces, boundary tensions and films at interfaces, mass and charge transport in colloidal suspensions, electrostatic and London forces in disperse systems, gas adsorption and heterogeneous catalysis. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

CHE 392. (CHM 392) Introduction to Polymer Science (3) fall

Introduction to concepts of polymer science. Kinetics and mechanism of polymerization, synthesis and processing of polymers, characterization. Relationship of molecular conformation, structure and morphology to physical and mechanical properties. Prerequisite: CHM 187 or equivalent.

CHE 393. (CHM 393, MAT 393) Physical Polymer Science (3) fall

Structural and physical aspects of polymers (organic, inorganic, natural). Molecular and atomic basis for polymer properties and behavior. Characteristics of glassy, crystalline, and paracrystal-line states (including viscoelastic and relaxation behavior) for single-and multi-component systems. Thermodynamics and kinetics of transition phenomena. Structure, morphology, and behavior. Prerequisite: senior level standing in CHE, CHEM, or MAT, or permission of the instructor.

CHE 394. (CHM 394) Organic Polymer Science I (3) spring

Organic chemistry of synthetic high polymers. Polymer nomenclature, properties, and applications. Functionality and reactivity or monomers and polymers. Mechanism and kinetics of step-growth and chain-growth polymerization in homogenous and heterogenous media. Brief description of emulsion polymerization, ionic polymerization, and copolymerization. Prerequisites: one year of physical chemistry and one year of organic chemistry. (NS)

Graduate Programs

The department of chemical engineering offers graduate programs leading to the master of science, master of engineering, and doctor of philosophy degrees in Chemical Engineering and master of engineering degree in Biological Chemical Engineering. The programs are all custom tailored for individual student needs and professional goals. These individual programs are made possible by a diversity of faculty interests that are broadened and reinforced by cooperation between the department and several research centers on the campus.

A free flow of personnel and ideas between the centers and academic departments ensures that the student will have the widest choice of research activities. The student is also exposed to a wide range of ideas and information through courses and seminars to which both faculty and center personnel contribute. In addition, strong relationships with industry are maintained by the department and the research centers, some of which operate industrially-sponsored liaison programs whereby fundamental nonproprietary research is performed in areas of specific interest to participating sponsors.

While the department has interacted with most of the centers on campus, it has had unusually strong and continuing liaisons with Emulsion Polymers Institute, Process Modeling and Control Research Center, and Materials Research Center. The Department also has a strong relation with the Bioengineering Program.

In addition to interacting with the centers, the department originates and encourages programs that range from those that are classical chemical engineering to those that are distinctly interdisciplinary. The department offers active and growing programs in adhesion and tribology; emulsion polymerization and latex technology; bulk polymer systems; process control; process improvement studies; rheology; computer applications; environmental engineering; thermodynamics; kinetics and catalysis; enzyme technology; and biochemical engineering.

Career Opportunities

Master of science, master of engineering, and doctor of philosophy graduates in the chemical engineering area are sought by industry for activities in the more technical aspects of their operations, especially design, process and product development, and research. Many of these graduates also find opportunities in research or project work in government agencies and in university teaching and research.

Physical Facilities

The department is well equipped for research in bioengineering, nanotechnology, energy, colloids and surface science, adhesion and tribology, polymer science and engineering, catalysis and reaction kinetics, thermodynamic property studies, fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, process dynamics and control, and enzyme engineering and biochemical engineering.

The departmental and university computing facilities include PCs and workstations, connected by a university-wide high speed network, which in turn provides worldwide networking via the Internet.

All of these facilities can access a wide variety of general purpose, and scientific and engineering software via the university and local networks, including software specifically for the steady state and dynamic simulation of chemical engineering systems. The networks are extended as needed to ensure the chemical engineering department has access to the latest computing technology.

Special Programs

Polymer Science and Engineering. The polymers activity includes work done in the Department of Chemical Engineering as well as the Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Physics, the Materials Research Center, the Center for Polymer Science and Engineering, and the Emulsion Polymers Institute. More than 20 faculty members from these organizations or areas have major interests in polymers and cooperate on a wide range of research projects. For students with deep interest in the area, degree programs are available leading to the master of science, master of engineering, and doctor of philosophy degrees in polymer science and engineering.

There are three major polymer research thrusts in which chemical engineering students and faculty are involved. These are polymer colloids (latexes), polymer interfaces, and polymer materials. The Emulsion Polymers Institute, with strong industrial support, sponsors projects in the preparation of monosize polymer particles, in mechanisms and kinetics of emulsion, miniemulsion and dispersion polymerization, in latex particle morphology and film-formation, and in rheological properties of latexes and thickeners. The Engineering Polymers Laboratory investigates the behavior of bulk polymer materials, focusing on multicomponent polymers and composites.

Distance Education

The Department offers some of its regular credit courses each semester via satellite and the World Wide Web for engineers in industry and government. These offerings, which are administered by the Distance Education Office, can lead to the Master of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering or in Biological Chemical Engineering.

Major Requirements

All candidates for the Master of Science degree are required to complete a research report or thesis for which six hours of graduate credit are earned. Course selection is done individually for each student, although CHE 400, CHE 410, CHE 415 and CHE 452 are required.

Candidates for the Master of Engineering degree do not do research; all 30 credit hours are fulfilled by course work. Course selection is done individually for each student within the University requirements for a master’s degree.

In addition to an approved course and thesis program, the Ph.D. student must pass a qualification examination given during the second year of residence.

Advanced Courses in Chemical Engineering

CHE 400. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (3) fall

Applications of thermodynamics in chemical engineering. Topics include energy and entropy, heat effects accompanying solution, flow of compressible fluids, refrigeration including solution cycles, vaporization and condensation processes, and chemical equilibria. Prerequisite: an introductory course in thermodynamics.

CHE 401. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics II (3) spring, every other year

A detailed study of the uses of thermodynamics in predicting phase equilibria in solid, liquid, and gaseous systems. Fugacities of gas mixtures, liquid mixtures, and solids. Solution theories; uses of equations of state; high-pressure equilibria.

CHE 410. Chemical Reaction Engineering (3)

The application of chemical kinetics to the engineering design and operation of reactors. Non-isothermal and adiabatic reactions. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Residence time distribution in reactors. Prerequisite: CHE 211.

CHE 413. Heterogeneous Catalysis and Surface Characterization (3)

History and concepts of heterogeneous catalysis. Surface characterization techniques, and atomic structure of surfaces and adsorbed monolayers. Kinetics of elementary steps (adsorption, desorption, and surface reaction) and overall reactions. Catalysis by metals, metal oxides, and sulfides. Industrial applications of catalysis: selective oxidation, pollution control, ammonia synthesis, hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to synthetic fuels and chemicals, polymerization, hydrotreating, and cracking.

CHE 415. Transport Processes (4) spring

A combined study of the fundamentals of momentum transport, energy transport and mass transport and the analogies between them. Evaluation of transport coefficients for single and multicomponent systems. Analysis of transport phenomena through the equations of continuity, motion, and energy. Prerequisite: CHE 452 or equivalent.

CHE 419. (MECH 419) Asymptotic Methods in the Engineering Sciences (3)

Introductory level course with emphasis on practical applications. Material covered includes: Asymptotic expansions. Regular and singular perturbations; algebraic problems. Asymptotic matching. Boundary value problems; distinguished limits. Multiple scale expansion. W.K.B. Theory. Non-linear wave equations.

CHE 428. Rheology (3)

An intensive study of momentum transfer in elastic viscous liquids. Rheological behavior of solution and bulk phase polymers with emphasis on the effect of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and branching. Derivation of constitutive equations based on both molecular theories and continuum mechanics principles. Application of the momentum equation and selected constitutive equations to geometries associated with viscometric flows. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

CHE 430. Mass Transfer (3)

Theory and developments of the basic diffusion and mass transfer equations and transfer coefficients including simultaneous heat and mass transfer, chemical reaction and dispersion effects. Applications to various industrially important operations including continuous contact mass transfer, absorption, humidification, etc. Brief coverage of equilibrium stage operations as applied to absorption and to binary and multicomponent distillation.

CHE 433. (ECE 433, ME 433) State Space Control (3)

State-space methods of feedback control system design and design optimization for invariant and time-varying deterministic, continuous systems; pole positioning, observability, controllability, modal control, observer design, the theory of optimal processes and Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle, the linear quadratic optimal regulator problem, Lyapunov functions and stability theorems, linear optimal open-loop control; introduction to the calculus of variations; introduction to the control of distributed parameter systems. Intended for engineers with a variety of backgrounds. Examples will be drawn from mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering applications. Prerequisite: ME 343 or ECE 212 or CHE 386 or consent of instructor.

CHE 434. (ECE 434, ME 434) Multivariable Process Control (3)

A state-of-the-art review of multivariable methods of interest to process control applications. Design techniques examined include loop interaction analysis, frequency domain methods (Inverse Nyquist Array, Characteristic Loci and Singular Value Decomposition) feed forward control, internal model control and dynamic matrix control. Special attention is placed on the interaction of process design and process control. Most of the above methods are used to compare the relative performance of intensive and extensive variable control structures. Prerequisite: CHE 433 or ME 433 or ECE 433 or consent of instructor.

CHE 436. (ECE 436, ME 436) Systems Identification (3)

The determination of model parameters from time history and frequency response data by graphical, deterministic and stochastic methods. Examples and exercises taken from process industries, communications and aerospace testing. Regression, quasilinearization and invariant-imbedding techniques for nonlinear system parameter identification included. Prerequisite: CHE 433 or ME 433 or ECE 433 or consent of instructor.

CHE 437. (ECE 437, ME 437) Stochastic Control (3)

Linear and nonlinear models for stochastic systems. Controllability and observability. Minimum variance state estimation. Linear quadratic Gausian control problem. Computational considerations. Nonlinear control problem in stochastic systems. Prerequisite: CHE 433 or ME 433 or ECE 433 or consent of instructor.

CHE 438. Process Modeling and Control Seminar (1) fall/spring

Presentations and discussions on current methods, approaches, and applications. Credit cannot be used for the M.S. degree.

CHE 439 (BIOE 439) Neuronal Modeling and Computation (3)

This course is a graduate version of CHE 339 (BIOE 339). While the lecture content will be the same as the 300-level course, students in the 400-level class will be expected to complete an independent term project. Closed to students who have completed CHE 339 (BIOE 339). Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Chemical Engineering or Bioengineering, or permission of instructor.

CHE 440. Chemical Engineering in the Life Sciences (3)

Introduction of important topics in life sciences to chemical engineers. Topics include protein and biomolecule structures and characterization, recombinant DNA technology, immunoaffinity technology, combinatorial chemistry, metabolic engineering, bioinformatics. Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering.

CHE 441 (BIOE 441). Biotechnology I (3) fall

See the course description listed for CHE 341 (BIOE 341). In order to receive 400-level credits, the student must do an additional, more advanced term project, as defined by the instructor at the beginning of the course. Closed to students who have taken CHE 341 (BIOE 341).

CHE 442 (BIOE 442). Biotechnology II (3) spring

See the course description listed for CHE 342 (BIOE 342). In order to receive 400-level credits, the student must do an additional, more advanced term project, as defined by the instructor at the beginning of the course. Closed to students who have taken CHE 342 (BIOE 342).

CHE 444. Bioseparations (3)

Separation techniques for biomolecule isolation and purification. Theory and problems of bioaffinity chromatography, electromigration processes, and aqueous two-phase polymer extraction systems. Engineering principles for scaling-up bioseparation processes. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

CHE 446. Biochemical Engineering Laboratory (3)

Laboratory and pilot-scale experiments in fermentation and enzyme technology, tissue culture, and separations techniques. Prerequisites: CHE 341 and CHE 444 or CHE 342 previously or concurrently. Closed to students who have taken CHE 346.

CHE 447 (BIOE 447). Molecular Bioengineering (3)

This course is a graduate version of CHE 344 (BIOE 344). While the lecture content will be the same as the 300-level course, students enrolled in CHE 444 will have more advanced assignments. Closed to students who have completed CHE 344 (BIOE 344).

CHE 448. Topics in Biochemical Engineering (3)

Analysis, discussion, and review of current literature for a topical area of biotechnology. Course may be repeated for credit with the consent of the instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

CHE 449 (BIOE 449) Metabolic Engineering (3)

Quantitative perspective of cellular metabolism and biochemical pathways. Methods for analyzing stoichiometric and kinetic models, mass balances, flux in reaction networks, and metabolic control. Solving problems using advanced mathematics and computer programming. Closed to students who have completed BIOE 349. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Chemical Engineering or Bioengineering, or permission of instructor.

CHE 450. Special Topics (1-12)

An intensive study of some field of chemical engineering not covered in the more general courses. Credit above three hours is granted only when different material is covered.

CHE 451. Problems in Research (1)

Study and discussion of optimal planning of experiments and analysis of experimental data. Discussion of more common and more difficult techniques in the execution of chemical engineering research.

CHE 452 (ME/ENGR 452). Mathematical Methods in Eng. I (3) Fall

Analytical techniques relevant to the engineering sciences are described. Vector spaces; eigenvalues; eigenvectors. Linear ordinary differential equations; diagonalizable and non- diagonalizable systems. Inhomogeneous linear systems; variation of parameters. Non-linear systems; stability; phase plane. Series solutions of linear ordinary differential equations; special functions. Laplace and Fourier transforms; application to partial differential equations and integral equations. Sturm-Liouville theory. Finite Fourier transforms; planar, cylindrical, and spherical geometries.

CHE 453 Apprentice Teaching (1)

Students will work under the guidance of individual Faculty instructors to participate in some of the following teaching tasks: Development of the course syllabus, preparation and grading of homework and exams, holding a recitation and/or lecture section. Prerequisites: Graduate student in ChE department. Course may be repeated for up to three credits.

CHE 455. Seminar (1-3) fall/spring

Critical discussion of recent advances in chemical engineering. Credit above one hour is granted only when different material is covered.

CHE 460. Chemical Engineering Project (1-6)

An intensive study of one or more areas of chemical engineering, with emphasis on engineering design and applications. A written report is required. May be repeated for credit.

CHE 464. Numerical Methods in Engineering (3)

See the course description listed for CHE 364. In order to receive 400-level credits the student must do an additional, more advanced term project, as defined by the instructor at the beginning of the course.

CHE 473. (CE 473) Environmental Separation and Control (3)

Theory and application of adsorption, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, air stripping and chemical oxidation in water and wastewater treatment. Modeling engineered treatment processes. Prerequisite: CE 470 or consent of the instructor.

CHE 480. Research (3)

Investigation of a problem in chemical engineering.

CHE 481. Research (3)

Continuation of CHE 480.

CHE 482. (CHM 482, MAT 482) Mechanical Behavior of Polymers (3)

Mechanical behavior of polymers. Characterization of viscoelastic response with the aid of mechanical model analogs. Time-temperature superposition, experimental characterization of large deformation, and fracture processes, polymer adhesion. Effects of fillers, plasticizers, moisture, and aging on mechanical behavior.

CHE 483. (CHM 483) Emulsion Polymers (3) fall

Examination of fundamental concepts important in the manufacture, characterization, and application of polymer latexes. Topics to be covered will include colloidal stability, polymerization mechanisms and kinetics, reactor design, characterization of particle surfaces, latex rheology, morphology considerations, polymerization with functional groups, film formation and various application problems.

CHE 485. (CHM 485, MAT 485) Polymer Blends and Composites (3) spring, every other year

Synthesis, morphology, and mechanical behavior of polymer blends and composites. Mechanical blends, block and graft copolymers, interpenetrating polymer networks, polymer impregnated concrete, and fiber and particulate reinforced polymers are emphasized. Prerequisite: any introductory course in polymers.

CHE 486. Polymer Processing (3)

Application of fundamental principles of mechanics, fluid dynamics and heat transfer to the analysis of a wide variety of polymer flow processes. A brief survey of the rheological behavior of polymers is also included. Topics include pressurization, pumping, die forming, calendering, coating, molding, fiber spinning and elastic phenomena. Prerequisite: CHE 392 or equivalent.

CHE 487. Polymer Interfaces (3) spring, every other year

An intensive study of polymer surfaces and interfaces, with special emphasis on thermodynamics, kinetics, and techniques for characterization. Chemistry and physics of adsorbed polymer chains. Diffusion and adhesion at polymer-polymer interfaces, especially as related to mechanical properties such as fracture and toughness will be described. Prerequisite: Introductory polymer course.

CHE 492. (CHM 492) Topics in Polymer Science (3)

Intensive study of topic selected from areas of current research interest such as morphology and mechanical behavior, thermodynamics and kinetics of crystallization, new analytical techniques, molecular weight distribution, non-Newtonian flow behavior, second order transition phenomena, novel polymer structures. Credit above three hours is granted only when different material is covered. Prerequisite: CHEM 392 or equivalent.

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