Separation Processes I

Code:

L.EQ022

Acronym:

PSI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Technological Sciences (Chemical Engineering)

Instance: 2022/2023 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemical Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Chemical Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.EQ	97	Syllabus	3	-	6	58,5	162

Teaching language

Portuguese
Obs.: Suitable for english speaking students

Objectives

The main aim of this course is to illustrate the importance of separation and purification processes for the technological and economical feasibility of industrial processes, giving the students the necessary background for the selection, analysis and design of some of the most common separation processes that can be found in the chemical and similar industries. In particular: solvent extraction, distillation, evaporation, drying and crystallization.

Learning outcomes and competences

The students are expected to attain the following skills:
- Identify the basic principles governing the different classes of separation processes;
- Choose the process (or processes) more adequate to attain the desired separation/purification;
- Do the simplified design of the equipment for solvent extraction, distillation, evaporation, drying and crystallization, identifying the influence of the main operating and design variables in the final separation.
- Present alternatives for energy conservation in distillation processes.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Knowledge of thermodynamics and mass end energy balances.

Program

INTRODUCTION: Characterization and classification of separation processes. Notion of separating agent, recovery and purity. Basic notions on selection of separation processes.

SOLVENT EXTRACTION: The importance of solvent extraction. Liquid-Liquid and solid-liquid extraction processes. Description of the liquid-liquid and solid-liquid equilibrium. Extraction in a single equilibrium stage and in units with several equilibrium stages operating in cross and counter-current flow. Analysis of the influence of the different operating and design variables in the separation using algebraic and graphic methods. Brief introduction to supercritical extraction and aqueous two phase systems. Reference to the use of ionic liquids as solvents.

BINARY DISTILLATION: The importance of distillation in the chemical and related industries. Brief revision on the design of flash units and calculation of vapour-liquid equilibrium. Design of conventional and complex distillation columns by the McCabe-Thiele method. Notion of overall, stage and point efficiency. Application of the Murphree and vaporization efficiencies to the design of distillation columns.

MULTICOMPONENT DISTILLATION: Distinction between simulation and design methods. Rigorous and shortcut design methods. Design of multicomponent distillation columns by the shortcut method of Gilliland - Underwood - Fenske –Kirkbride. Derivation of the MESH equations for rigorous design and simulation of distillation columns. The  open access simulator COCO. Shortcut methods for sequencing of distillation columns for non-azeotropic mixtures. Reference to extractive, azeotropic and reactive distillation.

BATCH DISTILLATION: Comparison between batch and continuous distillation. Analysis of the simple distillation process (Rayleigh distillation). Brief reference to the different operating strategies for batch distillation columns. Design of batch distillation columns operating at constant reflux by the shortcut method of Sundaram and Evans.

ENERGY CONSERVATION IN DISTILLATION PROCESSES: Analysis of the different strategies for energy conservation in distillation processes including the optimization of the operating conditions, energy integration of the distillation columns, intermediate reboilers and condensers and vapour recompression.

EVAPORATION: Types of industrial evaporators and their applications. Economy and capacity of a system of evaporators. Calculation of the temperature of liquid solutions. Notion of boiling point rise (BPR) and the use of Duhring diagrams. Analysis of a single effect evaporator. Design of multiple-effect evaporators operating in counter and co-current.

DRYING AND HUMIDIFICATION: Types of industrial dryers and their applications. Definition of absolute humidity, relative humidity, adiabatic saturation temperature, and wet bulb temperature. Use of the psychrometric diagram. Drying velocity laws. Design of dryers. Brief introduction to the liofilization process.

CRYSTALLIZATION: Introduction, advantages and disadvantages of crystallization, examples of industrial application and main types of crystallizers. Material balance to a crystallizer and solubility calculations. Stages of the crystallization process and determination of crystal size distribution (CSD). Analysis and design of the perfectly stirred crystallizer (MSMPR).

 

 

Mandatory literature

Domingos Barbosa; Apontamentos de Processos de Separação - I
Edmundo Gomes de Azevedo e Ana Maria Alves; Engenharia de processos de separação. ISBN: 978-972-8469-80-1
J.D. Seader, Ernest J. Henley; Separation process principles. ISBN: 0-471-46480-5

Complementary Bibliography

Stanley M. Walas; Chemical process equipment. ISBN: 0-7506-9385-1
Warren L. McCabe, Julian C. Smith, Peter Harriott; Unit operations of Chemical Engineering. ISBN: 0-07-112738-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

Exposition of the theoretical concepts, using different audiovisual media, and analysis of problems exemplifying the application of these concepts.

Software

COCO - The CAPE-OPEN to CAPE-OPEN simulator

keywords

Technological sciences > Engineering > Process engineering
Technological sciences > Technology > Industrial technology
Technological sciences > Engineering > Chemical engineering

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Teste	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	99,00
Frequência das aulas	63,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

According to FEUP's regulations.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification has two components:
1) Three intermediate tests, that will have a weight of 30% in the final classification.
2) Final exam that will have a weight of 70% in the final classification.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Intermediate tests and final exam.

Internship work/project

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

By final exam.

Classification improvement

By final exam.

Observations

Due to the schedules established for the evaluation tests, the 1st and 2nd intermediate tests will not be carried out during the class schedule of this course.

The program and evaluation of the course unit may be changed within the scope of Covid-19 contingencies.