Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of chemical processing?
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of chemical processing?
- To physically separate different components of a mixture without altering their chemical identities.
- To maintain the existing state of raw materials without causing any changes.
- To store raw materials for future use in other industrial processes.
- To alter the chemical structure of raw materials to create valuable products. (correct)
How does a 'unit operation' differ from a 'unit process' in chemical engineering?
How does a 'unit operation' differ from a 'unit process' in chemical engineering?
- A unit operation focuses on transforming substances into new chemical compounds, unlike a unit process.
- A unit operation involves chemical reactions, whereas a unit process does not.
- A unit operation deals with physical changes only, while a unit process involves chemical reactions. (correct)
- A unit operation is part of a larger chemical plant, while a unit process is a standalone system.
In a chemical processing plant, which of the following BEST illustrates a unit operation?
In a chemical processing plant, which of the following BEST illustrates a unit operation?
- Distillation of crude oil to separate different hydrocarbon fractions. (correct)
- Neutralization of an acid with a base to form a salt and water.
- Combustion of methane to produce carbon dioxide and water.
- Polymerization of ethylene to form polyethylene.
What is the primary difference in function between a pump and a compressor in a chemical plant?
What is the primary difference in function between a pump and a compressor in a chemical plant?
Which of the following BEST explains the concept of fluidization in chemical processing?
Which of the following BEST explains the concept of fluidization in chemical processing?
In the context of mechanical operations in a processing plant, which of the following pieces of equipment is specifically designed for size reduction?
In the context of mechanical operations in a processing plant, which of the following pieces of equipment is specifically designed for size reduction?
What is the key difference between agitation and mixing, in the context of mechanical operations?
What is the key difference between agitation and mixing, in the context of mechanical operations?
Which of the following BEST describes the role of evaporation as a unit operation in mass transfer?
Which of the following BEST describes the role of evaporation as a unit operation in mass transfer?
How does distillation function as a mass transfer operation?
How does distillation function as a mass transfer operation?
In a processing plant, which example illustrates a unit process involving a chemical reaction?
In a processing plant, which example illustrates a unit process involving a chemical reaction?
Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of a chemical reactor?
Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of a chemical reactor?
What is the main goal in designing chemical reactors?
What is the main goal in designing chemical reactors?
How does a batch reactor operate differently from a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR)?
How does a batch reactor operate differently from a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR)?
What is a PRIMARY responsibility of a chemical process engineer?
What is a PRIMARY responsibility of a chemical process engineer?
Which task is MOST likely to be performed by a chemical process operator?
Which task is MOST likely to be performed by a chemical process operator?
Which of the following principles is reflected in the material balance concept fundamental to chemical processing?
Which of the following principles is reflected in the material balance concept fundamental to chemical processing?
What physical phenomenon is described and governed by the '2nd Law of Thermodynamics' in chemical processing?
What physical phenomenon is described and governed by the '2nd Law of Thermodynamics' in chemical processing?
How does laminar flow differ from turbulent flow, a concept fundamental to chemical processing?
How does laminar flow differ from turbulent flow, a concept fundamental to chemical processing?
Which transport phenomenon includes conduction, convection, and radiation?
Which transport phenomenon includes conduction, convection, and radiation?
Which transport process is BEST described as 'diffusion'?
Which transport process is BEST described as 'diffusion'?
What role do catalysts play, as described by 'Reaction Kinetics'?
What role do catalysts play, as described by 'Reaction Kinetics'?
A chemical engineer assessing the 'mechanical strength, thermal stability, and corrosion' of materials is working within which fundamental concept of chemical processing?
A chemical engineer assessing the 'mechanical strength, thermal stability, and corrosion' of materials is working within which fundamental concept of chemical processing?
Which concept describes the 'Co-existing of phases'?
Which concept describes the 'Co-existing of phases'?
During the operation of a processing plant that manufactures ethanol, a technician notices that solids are accumulating in the distillation column. What is the MOST appropriate action the chemical process operator would take?
During the operation of a processing plant that manufactures ethanol, a technician notices that solids are accumulating in the distillation column. What is the MOST appropriate action the chemical process operator would take?
Consider a scenario where a chemical engineer is tasked with designing a reactor for a highly exothermic reaction. To ensure safety and efficiency, which of the following factors should be given the HIGHEST priority?
Consider a scenario where a chemical engineer is tasked with designing a reactor for a highly exothermic reaction. To ensure safety and efficiency, which of the following factors should be given the HIGHEST priority?
In a chemical plant, a pump is used to transport viscous oil from a storage tank to a reactor. Over time, the flow rate of the oil decreases significantly. What is the MOST likely reason for this?
In a chemical plant, a pump is used to transport viscous oil from a storage tank to a reactor. Over time, the flow rate of the oil decreases significantly. What is the MOST likely reason for this?
A chemical engineer is optimizing a process that involves separating two liquids with close boiling points. Which of the following unit operations is MOST appropriate for this separation?
A chemical engineer is optimizing a process that involves separating two liquids with close boiling points. Which of the following unit operations is MOST appropriate for this separation?
A chemical engineer is tasked to improve the performance of a batch reactor. What INITIAL step should the engineer take to achieve this?
A chemical engineer is tasked to improve the performance of a batch reactor. What INITIAL step should the engineer take to achieve this?
In a chemical processing plant, a newly installed size-reduction equipment is found to be producing a wide range of particle sizes, instead of a uniform size as required. Apart from equipment malfunction, what could be another reason?
In a chemical processing plant, a newly installed size-reduction equipment is found to be producing a wide range of particle sizes, instead of a uniform size as required. Apart from equipment malfunction, what could be another reason?
In a chemical plant, the agitator in a mixing tank stops working, resulting in poor homogeneity of the mixture. What is the FIRST action a chemical process operator should take?
In a chemical plant, the agitator in a mixing tank stops working, resulting in poor homogeneity of the mixture. What is the FIRST action a chemical process operator should take?
A processing plant is experiencing high energy consumption in its distillation column. Which strategies would BEST address this issue?
A processing plant is experiencing high energy consumption in its distillation column. Which strategies would BEST address this issue?
A chemical plant is considering which reactor to purchase for a new process, between a batch reactor and a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The reaction involves a slow, complex biochemical transformation with multiple intermediate steps and requires very precise control of reaction parameters. Which aspects would be considered to decide?
A chemical plant is considering which reactor to purchase for a new process, between a batch reactor and a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The reaction involves a slow, complex biochemical transformation with multiple intermediate steps and requires very precise control of reaction parameters. Which aspects would be considered to decide?
A chemical process engineer is tasked with reducing waste in a chemical plant. What actions could lead to waste minimization?
A chemical process engineer is tasked with reducing waste in a chemical plant. What actions could lead to waste minimization?
A chemical plant is deciding whether to recycle a waste stream back into the process flow, or discard it. Which should have higher priority?
A chemical plant is deciding whether to recycle a waste stream back into the process flow, or discard it. Which should have higher priority?
When designing a heat exchanger for cooling a highly corrosive fluid, what material property should a chemical engineer prioritize when selecting materials for the heat exchanger?
When designing a heat exchanger for cooling a highly corrosive fluid, what material property should a chemical engineer prioritize when selecting materials for the heat exchanger?
A continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is not providing sufficient mixing, resulting in lower-than-expected yield. Which modification to the reactor would MOST directly address this issue?
A continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is not providing sufficient mixing, resulting in lower-than-expected yield. Which modification to the reactor would MOST directly address this issue?
A chemical engineer notices that a distillation column in a petroleum refinery is experiencing excessive foaming. What might this be due to?
A chemical engineer notices that a distillation column in a petroleum refinery is experiencing excessive foaming. What might this be due to?
Flashcards
Chemical Processing
Chemical Processing
A method of altering a compound by changing the chemical structure of raw (bulk) materials to obtain valuable products.
Unit Operation
Unit Operation
A process that does not involve any chemical reactions; it deals only with physical changes of materials.
Unit Process
Unit Process
A process involving a chemical reaction that transforms substances into new chemical compounds.
Pumps
Pumps
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Compressor
Compressor
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Fluidization
Fluidization
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Size-Reduction Equipment
Size-Reduction Equipment
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Agitators
Agitators
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Mixers
Mixers
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Agitators
Agitators
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Evaporation
Evaporation
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Distillation
Distillation
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Chemical Reactor
Chemical Reactor
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Batch Reactor
Batch Reactor
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Continuous Stirred Tank reactor (CSTR)
Continuous Stirred Tank reactor (CSTR)
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Process Engineer
Process Engineer
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Process Operator
Process Operator
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Material Balance
Material Balance
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Energy Balance
Energy Balance
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2nd Law of Thermodynamics
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
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Heat Transfer
Heat Transfer
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Mass Transfer
Mass Transfer
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Reaction Kinetics
Reaction Kinetics
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Material science
Material science
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Phase Equilibria
Phase Equilibria
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Study Notes
- The lecture is titled "Introduction to Chemical Processing"
- It is week 2 of the Petroleum Process Engineering course for the 2nd Semester of 2024-2025 at Palawan State University
- The lesson was prepared by Manuel Jr. L. Cabiguen, a Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering
Learning Outcomes
After this lesson, students will be able to:
- Describe chemical processing
- Differentiate between a unit operation and a unit process
- Determine if equipment in a processing plant is part of a unit operation or unit process
- Differentiate between a pump and a compressor
- Explain fluidization
- Provide examples of size-reduction equipment
- Differentiate between agitation and mixing
- Explain evaporation and distillation as unit operations
- Describe the role of a chemical process engineer
- Describe the role of a chemical process operator
- Discuss the fundamental concepts in chemical processing
Chemical Processing
- Chemical processing alters a compound by changing the chemical structure of raw (bulk) materials
- It obtains products valuable to other industries/daily life.
Unit Operation vs Unit Process
- A unit operation is a process that does not involve any chemical reactions
- Unit operations deal only with the physical changes of the materials involved.
- A unit process involves a chemical reaction resulting in the transformation of substances into new chemical compounds.
Unit Operations in a Processing Plant
Unit operations are classified as:
- Fluid flow operations: Pumping, compression, and fluidization
- Mechanical operations: Size reduction, size enlargement, mixing, agitation, blending, filtration, classification-separation, etc.
- Mass transfer: Distillation, evaporation, crystallization, leaching, absorption, adsorption, extraction, etc.
Fluid Flow Operation: Pump
- Pumps increase the static pressure of liquids
- Pumps convert mechanical energy to high-pressure liquid flow.
Fluid Flow Operation: Compressor
- Compressor operation involves exerting work on a compressible fluid (gases)
- Compressors increase the pressure of a gas.
Fluid Flow Operation: Fluidization
- Fluidization transforms fine solids into a fluid-like state
- Fluidization is achieved through contact with a gas.
Mechanical Operation: Size Reduction
- Size reduction equipment is used in mechanical operations for size reduction
Mechanical Operation: Mixing & Agitation
- Agitators homogenize media inside a tank
- Agitators operate by rotating immersed impellers at a controlled speed such revolutions per minute (RPM)
- Impeller action induces flow and shear within the tank
- The impeller facilitates homogenization of single or multi-component media
- Agitators ensure the media flows uniformly and maintains a consistent pattern
Mixing vs Agitation
- "Agitators" and "mixers" are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings
- Mixers rapidly blend two or more components together, regardless of their phases (solid-liquid, liquid-liquid, gas-liquid)
- Components enter a mixer in a "pure" state and exit combined with other components
- Agitators maintain homogeneity and equilibrium within an existing mixture
Mass Transfer: Evaporation
- Evaporation is a unit operation that separates a liquid from solids
- Evaporation uses heat transfer via vaporization or boiling
- Evaporating a portion of the solvent concentrates the solute into a more-viscous liquid product
- Evaporation is regularly used in industries such as food processing, chemical, kraft paper, and pharmaceutical industries to produce liquid concentrates.
Mass Transfer: Distillation
- Distillation separates a liquid from solids
- Distillation uses heat transfer via vaporization or boiling
Unit Processes in a Processing Plant
- Examples of chemical reactions in a processing plant include sulphonation, nitration, halogenation, alkylation, hydrolysis, hydrogenation, polymerization, oxidation, and reduction
- A chemical reactor is process equipment where chemicals are fed to chemically react with each other
- Reactors make a desired product via chemical reactions
- Chemical reactors are designed to increase the net present value for a given reaction
- Higher efficiency allows the reactor to output the desired product
Types of Chemical Reactor
- A batch reactor is a closed vessel where reactions happen
- Batch reactors are non-continuous reactors
- Reactants are fed into the batch reactor all at once initially
- The vessel contains an agitator to mix reactants thoroughly so that contact allows them to react together efficiently and produce products
- A continuous stirred tank reactor (C.S.T.R) often called a mixed flow reactor (M.F.R)
- A continuous stirred tank reactors reaction occurs in a closed tank
- The tank also has agitator in order to mix the reactants thoroughly
- The name itself indicates it is a continuous type of equipment
Role of Chemical Process Engineer
- A Process Engineer designs, implements, and optimizes production processes to improve safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness
Role of Chemical Process Operator
- Chemical process operators manage the processing operations throughout the chemical processing facility
- They must monitor panel lights, recording instruments, and flow meters
- Chemical process operators monitor instruments and listen for any warning signals indicating a potential hazard or issue
- The operator adjusts different control settings that affect yield, quality, or chemical reaction rates during a typical workday
Fundamentals of Chemical Processing
Key concepts include:
- Material Balance (Law of conservation of mass)
- Energy Balance (Law of conservation of energy)
- 2nd Law of Thermodynamics (entropy)
- Laminar vs Turbulent Flow
- Heat Transfer (conduction, convection, radiation)
- Mass Transfer (diffusion)
- Reaction Kinetics (catalysts)
- Material Science (mechanical strength, thermal stability, & corrosion)
- Phase Equilibria (Co-existing of phases)
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