Welcome to Introduction to

Chemical Engineering

Name: Greg Griffin

Room: Opposite School Office
Email: gregory.griffin@nu.edu.kz
Assistant: Mereke Tontayeva

This course the basics

My Part
6 weeks duration (weeks 2 7)
5 weeks of lectorials (3hrs Tuesday/
1hr Thursday)
1 assessable tute question/week (1%
each)
Expectation that you will attempt all
tutorial questions.
Solutions are provided at the end of the
week.
1 week (week 7) - 2 hr mid-semester
test (70% of final grade)
Sample test with solutions will be
distributed prior to week 7.

This course the basics

My Part
Consultation times I have a relaxed
open door policy if you are
struggling with understanding the
content or answering the tutorial
questions then come and see me.
Prescribed text - Elementary Principles
of Chemical Processes, 3rd Edition, R
M Felder and R W Rousseau, John
Wiley and Sons, 2005.

Introduction to Chemical Engineering

Week 2
Units
Almost all numerical quantities has a unit
associated with them.
Number

eg

There are 50 students enrolled in this

course
Unit

Units are necessary to make the number

meaningful.
Note: Your tutorial & test solutions should
always contain the correct units!

Dimensions

Units Ways of expressing dimensions.

Dimension

Basic building blocks of measurement

Questions: What is my mass?

Properties that can be measured

Length
Temperature
Mass
Time
Density

Number

Unit (gives number a meaning)

Answer: My mass is 72 kg
or My mass is 72,000 g

gram

pound

or My mass is 158 lb

Student number (Number of students)

Conversion
For every dimension, there are lots of
number/unit combinations. Getting the right
combination is very important.

The Mars Probe A cautionary tale

Mars Climate
Actual Orbit
Orbiter

Systems of Units
Intended Orbit

Many of these exist:

Ouch!!

SI* (or Systme International) Otherwise

known as the metric system.
American Engineering*
British Engineering

Mars

cgs
fps or English absolute

Rocket thrusters control flight path.

*Most common systems

Calculation for Thrust given in pound-force

(American Engineering).
NASA engineers thought thrust was in
Newtons (SI).

Why SI is such a nice unit system

eg

Calculate the kinetic energy of a 4kg

particle traveling at 5 m/s
SI Unit

KE = mv
= (4 kg) (5 m/s)
= 50 kg m/s

SI. Unit for energy

= 50 J

Note: 1 J = 1 kg m/s

S.I unit

What is the weight of a 5.0 kg body at the

earths surface?
Gravitational constant

W = mg

S.I unit

= (5.0 kg) (9.81 m/s)

= 49 kg m/s

An electrical current, 9A, flows across a

voltage drop of 10V. What is the power
dissipated in this process?
P = VI
= (10V) (9A)

= 49 N

= 90 VA
S.I Unit for force.

= 90 W
S.I unit

Why the American Engineering system is not

so nice:
What is the kinetic energy of a 4.0 lb particle
traveling at 5.0 ft/s.

What is the weight of a 5.0 lb body at the

earths surface?
A.E. units

W = mg
= (5.0 lb) (32.2 ft/s)

A.E. Units

KE = (4.0lb) (5.0 ft/s)

= 50 lb ft/s
50 Btu or 50hp.hr

= 161 lb.ft/s

pound force.

161 lbf
32.2 lb.ft/s = 1 lbf

To convert 50 lb ft/s to Btu or hp.hr,

need to know conversion
1 lbm weighs 1 lbf at the earths surface
pound mass

Other reasons S.I is more convenient than A.E

Trick Question
What is heavier.

10-3

An ounce of gold or an ounce of feathers?

Examples:
4 kg of water flows through a pipe at 25 ft/s.

What is the kinetic energy of the water in

a) Joules
b) ft.(lbf)
a) KE = mv2

b)

= () (4 kg) (25 ft/s)2

= 1250 kg ft2/s2
1 ft = 0.3048 m

Another Example:
Solve in class
A oil blow out in Mexico Gulf was reported to
discharge 30,000 bbl of oil per day.
Barrels still the most common unit used for oil quantities

If the oil slick is mi wide and 1 in.

thick, how much does the slick grow each
day ( in km)?
Data: 1 bbl = 42 US gal
1 US gal = 0.1337 ft3
1 mi = 1.61 km.

10

Another example:
Air cannot be used for diving at depths of
greater than 150 ft because of nitrogens
narcotic effects. Divers cite the Martini
Law: Every 50 ft of depth is equivalent to
drinking one martini.

Solve in class

A depth of 1000 ft is equivalent to how many:

a) Martinis
b) lbf /ft2
c) Newtons/m2 (or Pascal, Pa)
Sea water has a density of 63.9 lb/ft3

11

Tutorial time Complete question 1 from

tutorial sheet

Another Example

Does 0.943 have a unit?

h = heat transfer coefficient
[=] Btu/hr.ft2 F
k = thermal conductivity
[=] Btu/hr.ft F
= density

= viscosity

[=] lb/ft3

[=] lb/hr. ft

G = gravitational constant
[=] ft/hr2
= enthalpy
[=] Btu/lb

L = length
[=] ft

12

Solution:
Ignore the numbers, consider only the units.

Dimensional Homogeneity

Let 0.943 [=]

Engineering equations contain many
variables (almost always).
For Consistency:
Dimensions on both sides of = must be
same
Added/subtracted elements must have the
same dimensions.

(0.943) is dimensionless

13

Example

What are the units of a and b?

Van Der Waals Equation:

(V- b)

Must have same units

Must have same units

b has units of m3/mol

Must have the same units

Must have the same units

14

Example:
What is the units of c
L.H.S of equation:

Simple equation for heat transfer from a

pipe to air is:

h = heat transfer coefficient, Btu/hr.ft2.F

R.H.S. of equation:

G = mass flow rate, lbm/hr.ft2

D = outside diameter of pipe, ft.
What are units of 0.026?
What is the SI equivalent of the equation?

Units Used Affect Constants

15

Note that there are functions of variables that

must be dimensionless.
eg

x = et
t [=] hr

Example:
The volume of a microbial culture is observed
to increase according to the formula:
V = et

x [] ehr

Where V [=] cm3

t [=] s

Similarly for the functions

sin(x)

arcsin(x)

ax

cos(x)

ex

V [=] in3

tan(x)

t [=] hr

ln(x)

Calculate a new equation where:

log(x)
f(x) is dimensionless.

16

Now, we write
V = a ebt
Where:

b = 1 s-1
a = 1 cm3

bt is dimensionless
ebt is dimensionless
aebt [=] cm3 [=] V

Now, if

V [=] in3
t [=] hr

then for consistency:

17

Dimensionless Groups
In engineering, you will be exposed to a
number of Dimensionless Groups that have
physical significance.
Dimensionless

For example:

Note: If the A.E. system is used

[=] lb/ft3
v [=] ft/s
D [=] ft

= Density [=] kg/m3

[=] lb/ft.s

v = velocity [=] m/s

D = Diameter of pipe [=] m

SI. units

= viscosity [=] kg/m.s

Dimensionless

18

Method 1: Convert all dimensions to SI.

Dimensionless groups are always dimensionless
as long as a consistent unit system is used.
Example: You are given the following data for
the properties of a polymer melt. It
is desired to pump this material in
laminar flow (Re < 2100) through a
pipe of 1 inch diameter.

1 g/cm3

= 1000 kg/m3

1 centipoise

= 10-2 poise

1 poise

= 10-1 kg/m.s

1 inch

= 2.54 cm = 2.54 10-2 m

What is the maximum allowable velocity in

the pipe? (in m/s)
Data: = 1.5 g/cm3
= 10.0 centipoise (cp)

19

1 inch = 2.54 10-2 m

Method 2

For laminar flow;

20

Tutorial time Complete question 6 from

tutorial sheet

Another example:
The Prandtl number, Pr, is an important
dimensionless group used in heat transfer
calculations.
In SI units

Where: CP = Heat capacity (J/kgC)

= viscosity (kg/m.s) in SI.
k = Thermal conductivity
(W/m.k) in SI.
If:

CP = 0.583 J/g.C
= 1936 lb/ft.hr

k = 0.286 w/m.C
(W/m.k) in SI.
Calculate Pr.

21

Solution:

Process Variables

In all processes, whether they are chemical or

environmental in nature, there are a series of
operations where an objective is accomplished.

Process operations or unit

operations

Inputs

Process

Feed

Outputs
Products

Process Streams

22

Example:
Need to analyse the performance of a unit
operation. Need to control a unit operation.

A large scale North Queensland industry

The Home Brew Kit
T
Flavour
Water
Sugar
Malt
Yeast

ie - How well does it work?

- Given the inputs, what is the output?

A single unit
operations
Ethanol
Water
Flavour

- Given a desired output?

what are the inputs?
- What are the waste?
Can these be reduced?
To answer these questions, we need to be
able to measure or calculate important
process variables.

This is a Batch process

-

The vessel is charged or filled with

reactants

The reaction (fermentation) occurs

The product is removed.

23

Important variables to consider.

Temperature

Mass and Volume of the materials

- If the fermentation occurs at too high a

temperature, the yeast dies (no product)

If the wrong amounts are added then the

product beer will not taste right.

Flow Rate
For continuous processes, important to
know rate of addition of materials.

- If the temperature is too low, fermentation

is too slow, long time for product to form.
Pressure
- Fermentation produces CO2 (carbon
dioxide) gas
- Causes pressure to rise

Chemical Composition
- How strong do you want your beer?
Full Strength? Light?

- If pressure too high, vessel will burst

- If pressure is too low, outside feral yeast
can enter.

- Ethanol concentration.

24

Note that most of these variables are important

in environmental processes.
Example:

Temperature
-

How hot is the lake?

Too hot and the aquatic life dies (or

thrives!)

A lake
Mass and Volume

Flow Rate: How much water enters and

leaves the lake?

How large is the lake?

How much solids are suspended in the

water (turbidity)

- Low water flow causes

stagnation, poor water quality

Chemical Composition:
What is the salinity? pH? Concentration of
toxins?

25

Density ()

Specific Gravity

- Mass/Volume of a substance
(g/cm3 very common,
kg/m3 SI
lb/ft3 A.E.)
Specific Volume

- Ratio of density to a reference density.

Density of material
Density of
reference material

- Volume/Mass of a substance
A common reference density is water at 4C.

- Inverse of density.
Mass
Volume
Volume
mass

26

Density of solids + liquids vary little with

temperature and pressure.
Where temperature is important, SG is quoted
with material and reference temperature.
Example:

Flow Rate
Material is transferred from unit operation
to unit operation.
Important to measure Flow Rate
- Mass flow rate (mass/time)
- Volumetric flow rate (volume/time)

Measured material at 20C.

The two flows are linked:

Dot signifies flow rate

Reference material at 4C
Volumetric flow rate

= 0.73 1.000 g/cm3

Mass flow rate

= 0.73 g/cm3 at 20C

27

Usually, want to know mass flow rate, but

traditional flow meters tend to read off
volumetric flow.
P

Rotameters
Glass tube

Pipe

Float

In an orifice meter:
Velocity
Open area around float

Cross sectional area of the pipe

28

Now
Example:
Liquid benzene, an organic liquid,
and n-hexane are blended to form a
stream flowing at a rate of 700 lb/hr.
The density of the combined stream
is 0.85 g/cm3.
What are the flow rates of the
benzene and n-hexane? (in ft3/hr)

Assume:

29

From _____ 2

30

Tutorial time Complete question 3.6 from

prescribed text

Pressure
Pressure is ratio of Force to Area
upon which it is acting.
Fluid Pressure
Pressure on walls in a pipe in which
fluid is flowing.

Area
F

31

Hydrostatic Pressure
- Pressure due to weight of fluid.

Now, total force exerted downwards at base

of tank is:

- Consider a tank filled with liquid.

Pressure of atmosphere = Patm
Weight of atmosphere

Weight of fluid in tank

Area = A

Pressure at base of tank is

h
Fluid, density

Atmospheric pressure can vary, but a standard

atmospheric pressure is defined:
1 atm
Volume of tank = V = hA

= 101325 Pa
= 14.7 p.s.i.

Weight of fluid in tank = mg

= Vg
= Ahg

32

Absolute and Gauge Pressure

When quoting pressures, two different
zero points are commonly used.
a) Absolute pressure 0 pressure is a
perfect vacuum.
b) Gauge pressure 0 pressure is 1 atm
pressure.

Commonly we will see gauge or absolute

pressures denoted by the addition of g or
a to the quoted pressure.
absolute
eg
50 psia

gauge

or
35.3 psig

Pabsolute = Patm + Pgauge

Pressure
Absolute
Pressure

Gauge
Pressure

Patm

Perfect Vacuum

33

Example:

Solution:
Molasses Tank

The great molasses disaster of 1919, Boston.

In 1919, a storage tank containing molasses
burst in Boston releasing a wave of molasses
down the city streets. Some 2.3 million gallons
(US) of molasses was spilt resulting in the
death of 21 people.
Data: Height of storage tank = 30 ft

2.3 million US gallons of molasses

30 ft

Assume atmospheric pressure = 1 atm

SG (molasses) = 1.4
Calculate:
(i) The mass (in lbs) of molasses
spilt.
(ii) The absolute and gauge pressure
at the bottom of the tank (lbf /in2)

34

Example: (Cont.)
Absolute Pressure = Patm + gh
Assume Patm = 1 atm
= 14.7 p.s.i.

Pabsolute
Atmospheric
Pressure

Pgauge
~ 1 atm
Negative Pgauge
or Vacuum.

Note: Pgauge can be negative. Pabsolute is

always positive vacuum is some
times used to described negative
Pgauge.

Absolute pressure = 14.7 + 18.2

= 32.9 psia
Gauge pressure

= 18.2 psig

35

For Example:

Manometers and Head of Fluid

Orifice
Pipe
gas
P2

P1

P1
Manometer
Liquid

P2
P = gh
P1
Gravity

36

 If mercury is used in manometer:

Open end manometer:

Pipe P1

Chemical symbol for mercury

1 atm

= 760 mm Hg

or water

= 10.333 m H2O (at 4C)

= 33.9 ft H2O
Head of fluid

Patm

(at 0C)

Patm
P1 - Patm = gh
P1

(at 4C)

Closed end manometer:

Pipe
Sealed end -evacuated
P2 = 0 (absolute)
h
P1
P1 = gh

37

Example:
Two mercury Manometers, one openend and the other closed end, are
attached to an air duct.
The reading on the open-end Manometer
is 25 mm and that on the closed end
Manometer is 800 mm.
Determine Pgauge, Pabsolute, PATM
Now from the open end Manometer:

Now closed-end Manometer

38

Four Main Temperature Scales.

Temperature
-

An important physical variable

Effects what phase a material is (solid,

liquid, gas)

Is a measure of the average kinetic

energy of constituent molecules/atoms in
material

Celsius Scale
0C

100C

100C

Fahrenheit Scale
32F

Effects rate of reaction and extent of

reaction.
Freezing point of
water at 1 atm
Pressure

180F

212F

Boiling point of
water at 1 atm
Pressure

39

Example:

ABSOLUTE SCALES

Convert 50C into F, R, K.

Kelvin (K)
0K

373.15 K
273.15 K

T(K)
T(K)

= T(C) + 273.15
= 50 + 273
= 323 K

491.67 R
0R

671.67 R
Rankine Scale (R)

T(F)

= 1.8T(C) + 32
= 1.8 50 + 32
= 122 F

Absolute zero
(no energy)

Freezing Point of
water at 1 atm

Boiling point of
water at 1 atm
Pressure

T(R)

= T(F) + 460
= 122 + 460
= 582 R

40

Composition and Concentration

Mixtures of chemical and their chemical
composition can be described in a number
of ways:

Mass and mole fractions are converted to %

by multiplying by 100.
Note: If a composition is quoted in % without
referring to whether it is mole of mass %
then:
Liquid or Solid Mass%
Gas

Mole%

41

i)

Eg.
An alcoholic beverage is said to
contain 9.5 mass% ethanol (C2H5OH),
4.6 mass% glucose (C6H12O6) and 85.9
mass% water (H2O).
i)

What is the average molecular mass of

the beverage?

Let us assume we have 100 gm of

beverage.
Basis
9.5 gm of EtOH (ethanol)
MW(EtOH) = 2 12.0 + 6 1.0
+ 1 16.0

ii) What volume% of alcohol is in the

beverage?

42

43

Concentration
Most chemicals in both nature and during
processing are diluted to some extent. We
call the component in solution the solute.
- Orange juice/cordial (diluted in water)
- Fuel additive (diluted with petrol/oil)
- Pollutants (PCBs in water, VOCs in
air).
Concentrations are expressed as ratio of
solute to total solution.

44

Some concentration units:

g/L

Mass concentration

mole/L molarity (or molar)

ppm

parts per million

ppb

parts per billion.

Mass fraction for liquids/solids

Mole fraction for gases.

Example:
An aqueous 0.50 molar solution of sulphuric
acid (H2SO4) flows into a process at 1.25
m3/min. If the S.G. of the solution is 1.03,
calculate:
i)

The mass concentration of H2SO4 in

kg/m3.

ii) The mass flow rate of H2SO4 in kg/s.

iii) The mass fraction of H2SO4.
iv) In ppm?

Molality (or molal) mols solute/1000g of

solvent.

45

46