UCSI UNIVERSITY

B.ENG (HONS) IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

COURSE OUTLINE
Course Name
Course Code
Name(s) of Academic
Staff:
Category
Rationale
for
the
inclusion of the course in
the programme

Credit hour
Pre-requisite
Synopsis

Course Learning
Outcome ( CLO)

Transferrable Skills
Delivery Method
Assessment Methods and
Types

References

Reaction Engineering and Design

EP 319
Engr. Noor Rosyidah Sajuni/ Engr. Mubarak/ Prof Hikmat
Core
The course will enable the students to acquire the knowledge of reaction kinetics
basic concept, derivation of rate expressions from reaction mechanisms and
equilibrium or steady state assumptions, isothermal and non-isothermal, ideal and
non-ideal, adiabatic and non-adiabatic of batch and flow reactors. At the end of this
course, students will be able to design reactors for heterogeneous reactions and
optimise operating conditions.
4
Mass Transfer, Heat Transfer, Fluid mechanics, Surface Chemistry & Catalysis
The basic concepts of chemical rate processes are applied to the theory of the
design and operation of the various types of commercial reactors for both catalytic
reactions. Topics covered include mole balances, rate laws and stoichiometry,
collection and analysis of rate data, multiple reactors and reactions, isothermal and
non-isothermal, ideal and non-ideal reactor design, catalysis and catalytic reactors
in details.
Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to :
CLO 1: Determine the reactor size for a given chemical reaction. (C4, PLO2).
CLO 2: Determine the reaction rate and reaction order for elementary reactions.
(C4, PLO2).
CLO 3: Design batch and continuous reactors using differential and integral
methods. (C5, PLO4).
CLO 4: Calculate the selectivity and reactant conversion for reactions in
single/multiple reactors. (C4, PLO2).
CLO 5: Determine rate law and rate limiting step in catalytic reactor design.
(C4, PLO2).
Thinking and scientific skills, problem analysis
Lecture and Practical
Type of Assessment

Assessment Methods
Percentage (%)
Test
20
Written tests
Mid-term examination
20
Final examination
50
Lab experimentations
Lab reports
10
The course has four assessment components as described above.
Test: The test will usually have 3 to 4 questions of 1 hour duration.
Mid-term exam: it will be conducted on week 7-8 of the semester. .
Laboratory component: it is compulsory to attend all the lab sessions; failing to do
so may result in complete failure in the subject. The student will carry out the
experiments described below and submit a report to the lab tutor at the end of the
semester.
Final Exam: It will consist of 6 main questions. Students must answer 5 of the 6
questions. The duration of the exam will be 3 hours.
1.
2.
3.

Fogler, H.S., Elementary of Chemical Reaction Engineering, 4th edition.

Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education Inc., 2006.
Levenspeil, O., Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd edition. New York: Wiley,
2006.
Smith, J.M., Chemical Engineering Kinetics, 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill,
2009.

4.

Carberry, J.J., Chemical & Catalytic Reaction Engineering. McGraw Hill,

2004.

COURSE/SUBJECT OUTCOMES PROGRAM OUTCOMES MATRIX

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)

Assessment

Determine the reactor size for a given chemical reaction. (C4, PLO 2)

Test
Final Exam

Determine the reaction rate and reaction order for elementary reactions.
(C4, PLO2)

Test
Final Exam
Lab reports
Test
Mid Term
Final Exam
Lab reports
Mid Term
Final Exam
Lab reports
Mid Term
Final Exam

Design batch and continuous reactors using differential and integral methods.
(C5, PLO4)

Calculate the selectivity and reactant conversion for reactions in single/multiple reactors.
(C4, PLO2).
Determine rate law and rate limiting step in catalytic reactor design.
(C4, PLO2).

Topic/Content
1.Introduction
Definition of reaction rate. The general mole balance. Types of reactor in industry. Definition of conversion.
Design equation for batch and flow systems. Reactor in series. Space velocity and space time.
2. Rate Laws and Stoichiometry
Part 1: Rate Laws. Relative Rates of Reaction. The reaction order and Power Law Model. Elementary Reactions.
Non-Elementary Rate Laws.
Part 2: Stoichiometry. Batch System Stoichiometric Table. Flow System Stoichiometric Table.
3. Isothermal Reactor Design
Concept of ideal reactors, Development of design equations for isothermal reactor (batch, CSTR and PFR).
Introduction for space time () and Damkohler number. Tubular Reactors. Pressure drop in reactors. Reversible
reactions.
4. Multiple Reactors And Multiple Reactions
Design for multiple reactor systems. Reactors in series and parallel, Types of multiple reactions selectivity and
yield. Parallel Reactions. Reactions in Series. Condition for maximizing yields and selectivity for parallel
reactions and series reactions.
5. Collection and Analysis of Rate Data
Differential and integral method for batch reactor data. Method of initial rates. Method of half lives.
6.Nonisothermal And Non-Ideal Reactor Design
Non-isothermal reactors, The energy balance, Adiabatic operation
Non-ideal rectors: importance and interpretation of Residence Time Distribution. C, E & F curves & statistical
interpretation. RTD for Ideal Reactors. Tanks in series model. Dispersion model.
7. Catalysis And Catalytic Reactors
Catalysts, Steps in catalytic reactions, Synthesis rate law, mechanism and rate-limiting step, Catalyst
deactivation.