CHE 561 - Chemical Process Dynamics and Control

Credits: 3

Level: Undergraduate

Description: The chemical engineering curriculum is mostly focused on fundamental principles of thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport phenomena that govern chemical processes, as well as the design of continuous reaction and separation systems for steady-state operation. Chemical Process Dynamics and Control is concerned with the fact that real processes rarely operate under steady-state conditions, either due to process upsets or deliberate changes in operating steady states. This requires the design and implementation of automated control systems for enforcing the desired operating conditions. The key behind this is the concept of feedback which, in addition to making engineering systems work robustly and efficiently, is ubiquitous in chemical and energy systems. The course is integrative in nature, building on all other chemical engineering courses’ content and adding a fair number of new concepts. Its first part covers the analysis of the dynamic behavior of chemical processes. For small changes around a steady-state, this is adequately captured by the solution of linear ordinary differential equation (ODE) models. The second part introduces the concept of feedback and that of a closed-loop system (a process under a feedback controller) and covers the analysis of closed-loop behavior under different controllers, as well as the design of controllers that enforce desired performance.

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CHE 835 - Chemical Engineering Analysis

Credits: 3

Level: Graduate

Description: This course covers the mathematical formulation of chemical engineering problems and explores how to solve them using analytical, numerical, and data-driven methods. The emphasis is on analytical and numerical solutions to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and partial differential equations (PDEs) that arise in transport-reaction systems. Data-driven and machine learning-based approaches will only be discussed briefly. The course builds upon the student’s skills in applied mathematics, scientific computing, and chemical process analysis. Concepts such as transport phenomena and chemical reactions are emphasized with mathematical modeling and solution methods. The intimate connection of fundamental scientific principles with practical engineering problem-solving is demonstrated and experienced through class discussions, reading assignments, and homework problems.