Queen's University : Chemical Engineering

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2011-2012 Academic Year

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Chemical Engineering

NOTE Most courses are one term in length and are 3.0 credit units in weight; however, modules are 6-weeks in length and are 1.5 credit units in weight. An asterisk denotes a course of 3.0 credit units. Not all courses are offered in every session.

CHEE-801*

Strategies for Process Investigations

The statistical design of experiments and the analysis of data in process investigations are considered. Empirical modelling of process behaviour is studied. Applications of factorial and fractional factorial experimental designs in screening studies and methods of response surface exploration are examined. Traditional North American approaches to quality and productivity improvement are compared with those practiced in Japan. (Jointly offered with CHEE-418, with additional assignments.)

P.J. McLellan or M. Guay

PREREQUISITE: CHEE-209 or equivalent.

CHEE-803*

Transport Phenomena

Basic concepts, generalized control volume analysis and balance equations. Constitutive equations, kinetic models, thermodynamic considerations, and prediction equations for transport properties. Coupled transport processes: Onsager's theory; forced diffusion; and thermo-chemical, thermo-electric, and electro-chemical effects. Special phenomena in biological and macromolecular systems. Phenomena at surfaces. Effects of flow and chemical reaction. Analogies between energy, material and momentum transport. Examples in the analysis of complex problems. E.W. Grandmaison

CHEE-807*

Current Topics in Chemical Engineering

Selected topics in chemical engineering including chemical reaction engineering, combustion, biochemical engineering, process control, environmental engineering, applied statistics, polymer reaction engineering, polymer processing, fluidization and turbulence. Only topics not covered in other graduate courses will be included. Topics will vary depending on the instructor(s). Course coordinator: R.A. Hutchinson PREREQUISITE: Permission of the Instructor.

CHEE-809*

Colloid and Surface Phenomena

The course provides in-depth coverage of the fundamentals of colloidal interactions (e.g., stabilisation, adsorption, self-assembly) and the techniques currently applied for their assessment. Current and emerging colloids-related technologies, with emphasis on nano-scale engineering (self- and directed-assembly of nanostructured materials, photonic crystals, sensors) will also be covered.

Three term-hours; A. Docoslis

CHEE-810*

Fuel Cell Systems: Design and Analysis

This course will examine the design of fuel cell systems for a variety of applications ranging from large multi-megawatt stationary power systems to milliwatt scale portable electronics systems. Examples will be drawn from actual demonstration and pre-commercial prototype systems operating on a range of fuels including conventional hydrocarbons with integrated external fuel processing subsystems, anaerobic digester gas with external clean-up and preprocessing, natural gas fuelled systems with direct and indirect reforming, direct methanol fuel cells and hydrogen fuel cells. The design of combined heat and power systems (CHP) for large scale industrial applications and for small-scale residential applications will also be examined. In each of these case studies the impact of system configuration and individual component performance on efficiency will be examined and strategies for optimizing performance and minimizing complexity will be developed. In addition the effect of system design on greenhouse gas emissions will be considered. The course will consist of three design projects of increasing complexity and a final examination. Students will be expected to give a presentation on their final design project.

CHEE-811*

Mathematical Modeling of Chemical Processes

The steps that are required to build comprehensive mathematical models are examined. These steps include: definition of the intended model use and user requirements; formulation of model equations; determination of model parameters from correlations and experimental data; parameter sensitivity and estimability analysis; solution of model equations using numerical techniques; model validation; and potential model applications. While the focus is on the development of fundamental models, empirical modeling techniques are also discussed. Process examples are selected from: reactive distillation, polymerization, bioreactors, heat exchangers, and fuel cells. Students complete a mathematical modeling project related to their research interests. K.B. McAuley. Permission of the instructor

CHEE-820*

Topics in Advanced Process Control

Researchers at Queen's and visiting professors will present selected topics in advanced process control, including control of distributed parameter systems, control of bioprocesses, control of polymer reactors, and hybrid systems. M. Guay, P.J. McLellan Permission of the instructor.

CHEE-821*

Process Control II

This is a second course in process control techniques. Topics covered will include: frequency response methods for stability analysis and controller design, deadtime compensation (e.g., Smith predictor), feedforward/ cascade control, the Internal Model Control formulation, introduction to multivariable control, and interaction analysis using the concept of relative gain. Specific applications to chemical processes will be presented. (Offered jointly with CHEE-434, with additional lectures and assignments.) M. Guay or P.J. McLellan PREREQUISITE: CHEE-319 or permission of the instructor.

CHEE-822*

Model-Based Control

The course focuses on the use of explicit process models for multi-variable controller design. Linear and nonlinear control approaches are discussed in both discrete and continuous time formulations. Stability, performance and robustness issues are addressed. The role of observers for state estimation is considered. M. Guay PREREQUISITE: CHEE-319 and -821 or equivalent.

CHEE-824*

Nonlinear Regression Analysis and Applications

The role of statistical design and analysis in chemical process modelling; justification of least squares estimation; geometrical interpretation; algorithms for nonlinear least squares estimation; role of transformations; analysis of multiresponse data; experimental designs for model discrimination; experimental designs for precise parameter estimation. P.J. McLellan or M. Guay PREREQUISITE: CHEE-418/801 or equivalent.

CHEE-825*

System Identification

The course focuses on the theory and application of linear time series methods for system identification. Time domain and frequency domain methods for analyzing dynamic data will be presented. Standard process plus disturbance models encountered in the identification literature will be investigated from both statistical and physical perspectives. Methods for structural identification, incorporation of exogenous variables, parameter estimation, inference and model adequacy will be examined in detail. The design of dynamic experiments and incorporation of model uncertainty into the intended model and use, such as prediction or control, will be discussed. Assignments will include the analysis of industrial data sets. Dynamic modeling using neural networks and nonlinear time series methods will be introduced. P.J. McLellan PREREQUISITE: CHEE-418/801 and CHEE-434/821 or equivalent.

CHEE-827*

System Optimization

A survey of optimization problems is made and mathematical procedures for their solutions are discussed. Comparisons of optimization techniques for various classes of problems are made using industrial examples and computer studies. Both linear and nonlinear programming methods are studied. Topics include the role of optimization, definitions of objective functions and constraints, conditions for existence of an optimum; one-dimensional strategies; analytical procedures for unconstrained and constrained multi-dimensional problems, numerical procedures for unconstrained and constrained multidimensional problems, introduction to multistage optimization. M. Guay PREREQUISITE: Permission of the instructor

CHEE-828*

Polymer Reaction Engineering

The fundamentals of polymerization kinetics are reviewed. The equations for batch and continuous flow reactors are developed and used in the calculation of polymerization rate and polymer quality measures. Process parameters which affect reaction rate, chain composition and molecular weight distribution are examined, and the design of polymer reactor systems is discussed. Consideration is also given to the problems of reactor design in heterophase polymerization. M.F. Cunningham or R.A. Hutchinson

CHEE-835*

Turbulent Diffusion in the Environment

Turbulent diffusion from both air and water emission sources are considered in this course. Fundamental concepts of diffusion and the statistical theory of turbulent flows are reviewed. Topics include simple modelling systems, dispersion in shear flows, line sources, time averaging of diffusion phenomena and the effect of density gradients. E.W. Grandmaison

CHEE-837*

Transport & Kinetics with Application to Fuel Cells

The fundamentals of transport phenomena and reaction kinetics are considered and applied to fuel cells, with a view to a mechanistic understanding of fuel cell operation and limitations. Material covered includes the basic axioms of mechanics (conservation of mass, momentum, energy and charge) presented in indicial notation and applied to porous media. Emphasis is placed on the description of porous materials and the implications of porous media on transport, including the notion of effective transport coefficients. Ion transport in solid and polymer electrolytes due to electrochemical potential differences is considered. Diffusion models covered include Fick's law, Stefan Maxwell and Knudsen. Electrochemical reaction kinetics and mechanism are covered including rate-limiting steps, exchange current density and the fundamental definition of over potential. The course will include individual projects.
EXCLUSION: MECH 837*

CHEE-840*

Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Engineering

This course is intended to help students understand the basic issues of learning and teaching in engineering disciplines from a practical perspective. We will consider teaching practices which facilitate the development of knowledge, skills and professional attitudes in engineering students. We will explore all common forms of teaching e.g. laboratory classes, tutorials, lectures, project work as well as more innovative forms of teaching. Drawing on recent engineering education and education literature this course will be discussion based, with key weekly readings.

CHEE-841*

Engineering Education: Theory into Practice

This course is intended for students who are interested in developing their understanding of pedagogy within engineering. It is framed around the idea of a scholarship of teaching – basing teaching on the research base of how students learn. It forms a useful base for anyone who is teaching or is interested in pursuing an engineering teaching career. It draws on recent education literature from 1970s to the present within the ‘experiential student learning’ field of educational development and research and applies this to an engineering context. We will explore examples of research into students’ experiences of learning and how this informs the way we design curricula, teach and assess engineering students. Participants in the course will be expected to apply the theory to their own engineering teaching practices by conducting a term long project. C. Baillie.

CHEE-872*

Polymeric Biomaterials

This course is designed to appeal to students in all fields of this interdisciplinary field, from biomechanics to polymer chemistry. It will provide a thorough background in the underlying fundamental biological and polymer science principles involved in the use of polymers as medical materials. Topics include surface and bulk polymer properties, applications of polymeric biomaterials, the biological principles that dictate host response to a material, and biopolymer degradation. B.G. Amsden Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.

CHEE-874*

Tissue Engineering

This course is designed as a graduate level introductory course in tissue engineering: the interdisciplinary field that encompasses biology, chemistry, medical sciences and engineering to design and fabricate living systems to replace damaged or diseased tissues and organs. Topics to be discussed include: tissue anatomy, basic cell biology, cell scaffolds, cell sources and differentiation, design considerations, diffusion and mass transfer limitations, effects of external stimuli, bioreactors, methods used to evaluate the engineered product(s), and implantation. Case studies of specific tissue engineering applications will also be discussed. Students will be required to participate in as well as lead discussions on the course material as well as relevant journal articles. No previous background in biology is required. Three term hours: S.D. Waldman

CHEE-882*

Bioreactor Design

This course examines the important factors in the design and operation of stirred tank bioreactors. A variety of biokinetic models are examined and used in the design of ideal and non-ideal bioreactors. The effect of the rheology of fermentation broths on mass transfer, mixing, power requirement, etc. is considered, along with Residence Time Distribution Analysis as a tool for quantifying non-ideal behaviour. Novel fermentor designs and immobilized enzyme/cell systems are discussed. Scale-up criteria are examined. A.J. Daugulis PREREQUISITE: CHEE-380 or equivalent courses or experience.

CHEE-883*

Bioseparation Processes

Downstream processing techniques are studied which exploit the unique properties of proteins and which can separate a particular protein from a multicomponent protein mixture. Areas to be covered include the separation and purification of proteins by precipitation, by adsorption and in solution. Specific industrial and clinical bioseparation procedures, such as ultrafiltration and dialysis, will also be considered. B.A. Ramsay PREREQUISITE: Permission of the instructor.

CHEE-884*

Bioremediation

Bioremediation as an option to treat contaminated soils, ground water, fresh water and the marine environments. Advantages and disadvantages of bioremediation compared to nonbiological processes. Factors affecting choice of in situ or ex situ processes. Assessment of biodegradability; biostimulation vs. bioaugmentation; mineralization vs. partial degradation; factors affecting microbial activity (choice of electron acceptor, toxicity of pollutant, C/N/P ratio, co-substrates, soil humidity, pH and temperature); bioavailability of pollutant. Biodegradation of specific contaminants (eg. diesel fuel, polychlorinated biphenyls, dyestuffs, aromatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons) will be studied in detail. J.A. Ramsay PREREQUISITE: Permission of the instructor.

CHEE-885*

Current Topics in Biochemical Engineering

The course surveys recent advances in Biochemical Engineering, through lecture material and seminars based on recent published advances, critical analysis and in depth review of recent published literature, academic and industrial guest speakers outlining advances in their respective research areas and through student presented seminars on assigned papers or topics. R.J. Neufeld

CHEE-890*

Advanced Polymer Structure, Properties and Processing

The first half of the course examines the elements of polymer science that relate to engineering applications. The second half examines polymer processing operations with an emphasis placed on the analysis of polymer flow. Specific topics include the rheology of thermoplastic melts, viscoelasticity, constitutive equations and polymer blends. M. Kontopoulou/ J.S. Parent

CHEE-897

Seminar

Graduate students working on theses must give a seminar on their research. The seminar carries no course credit but all graduate students are required to attend.

CHEE-898

Master's Project

CHEE-899

Master's Thesis Research

CHEE-901

Principles and Applications of Polymer Rheology

Rheology provides a valuable tool for the assessment of the processability of polymers in various operations, as well as the identification of their structure. This 6 week (3 hours/week) module will discuss the fundamental relations between the rheology and structure of polymers and the principles of rheometry. M. Kontopoulou (1.5 credit unit weight)

CHEE-902

Bulk and Solution Polymerisation Processes

This course is intended to help the student to understand how the fundamentals acquired in CHEE 828, are used in the design and operation of melt or solution polymerisation processes of different types (chemistries, operational modes, etc.) Emphasis will be placed on reactor design and operation, but separation technology for product purification will also be studied. Case studies of specific commodity polymers will be used to illustrate the important concepts. T. McKenna (1.5 credit unit weight)

CHEE-903

Polymerisation in Dispersed Media

This is a product-focused course that will include use different (non-polyolefin) concrete examples to help the students understand the reasons for producing polymer in dispersed media, the types of product one can make and the relationship between process operation and polymer structure. Emphasis is placed on reactor design, advanced modelling of dispersed phases systems, and issues related to industrial production such as characterisation, scale-up and control. T. McKenna (1.5 credit unit weight)

CHEE-904

Olefin Polymerisation Processes

This course uses the fundamentals acquired in CHEE 828 to understand the particular issues related to the production of polyolefins; a family of materials that represents over 40% of all of the polymers produced world-wide. Emphasis will be placed on the particularity of olefin polymerisation processes, the structure of the products, and the fact that one needs to combine knowledge of polymer chain growth with an understanding of mass and heat transfer in heterogeneously catalysed systems. T. McKenna (1.5 credit unit weight)

CHEE-906

Entrepreneurship for Chemical Engineers

This course module focuses on assessing entrepreneurial opportunities in chemical engineering. This includes: business opportunity screening, IP issues, market and competitive analysis, regulatory/ legal issues and financial analysis. Students evaluate the commercial potential of a technology or opportunity of their choice. D. Dilamarter. (1.5 credit unit weight)

CHEE-907

Current Topics in Chemical Engineering

CHEE-908

Green Engineering

This 6 week (3 hours/week) module will discuss the fundamental principles of green engineering in the context of a chemical sciences environment. Students will learn how to apply green chemistry principles and efficient process design principles (with respect to both energy and materials consumption) to ensure new or existing processes minimize their overall impact on the environment. (1.5 credit unit weight)

CHEE-990

Structure-Property Relationships of Polymer Materials

This six-week graduate module provides students with background in physical polymer science as it relates to the formulation of materials to satisfy engineering applications. Starting from the characterization of molecular weight and composition distributions, the fundamentals of phase transitions, solubility, adhesion and thermo-oxidative stabilization are discussed. J.S. Parent (1.5 credit unit weight)

Exclusion: CHEE-490

CHEE-991

Introduction to the Processing and Rheology of Polymeric Materials

This six-week graduate module examines polymer processing operations. Specific topics include extrusion and injection moulding, modeling approaches, polymer blends and composites. Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of polymer flow. Principles of the rheology of thermoplastic melts and rheometry are presented. M. Kontopoulou. (1.5 credit unit weight)

Exclusion: CHEE-490

CHEE-992

Polymeric Biomaterials

This six-week graduate module provides a thorough background in the underlying fundamental biological and polymer science principles involved in the use of polymers as medical materials. (1.5 credit unit weight)

CHEE-999

Ph.D. Thesis Research

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