1.3 How much to memorize for a chosen technology ?

To a large extent, University education expects a chemical engineering undergraduate student to remember and draw at least a conceptual flow-sheet. However, when a systematic approach is not adopted in the learning process, it is rather difficult to remember all flow-sheets and relate to the logic behind their role in the process topology. Therefore, a well-trained student in process technology remembers process flow-sheets with logical sequence of unit processes/operations and not by strict memory.

1.4 Advantages of suggested learning approach for mastering process technology

a) Trains student to be more analytical/concept-oriented rather than with memorized knowledge that is bereft of logical reasoning

b) Systematic approach enables the growth of students’ interest in the subject.

c) Additional concepts further reveal to the student how to gradually complicate process technologies for maximum efficiency.

d) Inculcate strong interest in the student towards technology research and innovation by enabling a learning environment that fundamentally targets the technological know-how.

1.5 Prominent unit-operations and unit-processes in chemical industry

A detailed summary of various prominent unit operations/processes and their functional role in the chemical plant are summarized in Table 0.1 along with suitable figures.

Category	Unit operations/processes	Functional role
fluid operations	a) Centrifugal pump b) Reciprocating pump c) Compressor d) Expander	a) To pressurize liquids and gases. b) To depressurize gases
solid operations	a) Crusher b) Grinder	a) To reduce the size of solids
Solid-fluid separators	a) Cyclone separator b) Centrifuge c) Electrostatic precipitator d) Classifier & Thickener e) Liquid-liquid separator	a) To separate solid particles from solid-liquid/gas mixtures
Heat exchangers	a) Shell & Tube heat exchangers b) Fired heaters and furnaces c) Coolers	a) To either remove or add heat to process streams so as to meet desired conditions in other units. b) Either utilities or other process streams are used to carry out heating/cooling requirements.
Mass transfer units	a) Phase separation b) Distillation c) Absorption d) Stripping e) Adsorption f) Extraction g) Leaching h) Crystallization i) Membrane	a) To separate a feed into products with different compositions. b) A third agent (heat or compound) is usually used to carry out separation.
Reactor units	a) Completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) b) Plug flow reactor (PFR) c) Packed bed reactors (PBR) d) Slurry & Trickle bed reactors	a) To carry out reactions in homogenous fluids (gases/liquids). b) To carry out catalytic and multi-phase reactions.

Table 0.1: Important unit operations/unit processes and their functional role in chemical process technology.

 

References:

Dryden C. E., Outlines of Chemical Technology, East-West Press, 2008