CHEN 3660 - Chemical Engineering Separations
Course Syllabus

Summer 2006
Dr. Placek

 
Instructor Information
Name  Dr Timothy D. Placek
Email  placetd@auburn.edu
Office location  212 L-Building
Office hours  Office Hours: M, W, F: 1:00-3:00 or by appointment  
Phone  (334) 844-2022
Webpage  Dr. Timothy D. Placek
Teaching Philosophy Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Course Description
Course title  Chemical Engineering Separations
Course description 

CHEN 3660: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SEPARATIONS (3). Pr. Completion of CHEN 3370 and 3620 with a grade of C or better. Coreq. Separation processes including distillation, extraction, membrane separation, and other separation operations.

Separation processes including distillation, extraction, membrane separation, and other separation operations. 

Course schedule http://www.eng.auburn.edu/~tplacek/courses/3660/3660schedule.shtml 
Textbooks
Required 

Seader, Henley, Separation Process Principles, 2e, John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN: 0471464805

Suggested references:
(1) Geankopolis, Transport Processes and Unit Operations, Prentice-Hall (any edition)
(2) McCabe/Smith/Harriott, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, McGraw-Hill. (any edition)

Grader and Teaching Assistant
Grader(s)

GTA: RyAnne Noss
Office: Wilmore 194
Office Hours: Email or phone for an appointment
Phone: 844-8059
E-mail: dialkim@auburn.edu 

Course Outcomes
 

Course outcomes define the desired level of learning that is to be accomplished by a student at the time of the completion of the course. Each outcome consists of a skill or attitude as well as a desired mastery level. By defining specific course outcomes, both students and faculty can ensure that the technical and professional subject material essential to the course is covered as well as detailing the degree of mastery expected.

Course Outcomes (Numbers in parentheses refer to PEO’s)

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain and define the following equilibrium concepts: K value, relative volatility, equilibrium, azeotrope, DePriester (K) chart, bubble point and dew point, Gibb’s phase rule, lever-arm rule. (1)
2. Employ binary equilibrium diagrams (x-y, T-x-y, H-x-y) to identify the state of a system, the composition of its phases, the temperature dependences (bubble point, dew point, superheat temperature). (1)
3. Employ relationships K-charts or equations to be able to determine the bubble point and dew point of multicomponent systems. (1)
4. Be able to convert and redraw equilibrium data between x-y, T-x-y, and H-x-y diagrams. (1)
5. Be able to employ graphical programs (Excel, etc) to be able to produce quality equilibrium diagrams. (4)
6. Sketch and provide notation for basic flash distillation processes. (2)
7. Derive and plot the operating line for binary flash distillation on a x-y diagram. (1)
8. Use specified sequential techniques and simultaneous techniques to solve binary and multicomponent flash problems after identifying which technique is appropriate for a given situation. (2,4)
9. Derive the Rachford-Rice equation and employ it to determine the solution to problems where vapor fraction is specified. (1)
10. Explain why narrow boiling and wide boiling mixtures are handled differently when simultaneous multicomponent flash problems are encountered. (1)
11. Explain physically how a distillation column works. Sketch and identify the internal features and auxiliaries. (2)
12. Differentiate between total and partial condensers and reboilers including the fashion in which equilibrium data is employed. (1)
13. Write and solve the external mass and energy balances associated with two product single feed distillation columns. (2)
14. Explain the difference between design problems and rating problems. (5)
15. Explain the source and purpose of reflux liquid and reboiled vapor. (1)
16. Identify and differentiate between rectification (enriching) and stripping sections. Be able to derive operating equations (lines) for both sections. Be able to derive the equation for the feed operating line. (1)
17. Discuss the expected temperature profile in a distillation column and its affect on tray compositions. (1)
18. Understand the assumptions made when employing the constant molal overflow condition. (1)
19. Calculate the feed quality and explain its effect on vapor and liquid flow rates above and below the feed stage. Be able to work with the concepts of superheated feeds and subcooled feeds. (1)
20. Use the McCabe-Thiele method to design/rate distillation columns. Employ stage efficiency data to determine actual number of stages. Correctly differentiate between internal stages and equilibrium situations in column externals. (1)
21. Understand and employ the concepts of limiting conditions (total reflux, minimum reflux, other pinch conditions) (1)
22. Perform calculations on columns that do not employ condensers (liquid feed at top) or reboilers (vapor feed at bottom, steam extraction, etc). (1)
23. Explain multicomponent distillation concepts such as key components, non-key components, distributing components (sandwiches components), and optimum feed stage. (1)
24. Explain and outline the general procedure for stage-by-stage analysis of multicomponent distillation. Solve these procedures for constant relative volatility systems. Solve these procedures using bubble point or dew point calculations on each stage. (1,2)
25. Explain the use of various shortcut methods (Fenske, Underwood, Gilliland). Employ these techniques to develop approximate column designs. Appreciate the limitations of each of these approaches. Be able to calculate an appropriate average relative volatility when variable volatility is encountered. (1,5)
26. Explain and define liquid-liquid extraction terminology including solubility envelope, plait point, extract, raffinate, solvent, solute, conjugate line. (1)
27. Read and employ the data from equilateral triangular diagrams, right triangular diagrams. Be able to convert from one diagram representation to another as well as to be able to switch axes on the latter diagram. (1)
28. Solve single contact extractions, cross current extractions and counter current extractions graphically. (1,5)
29. Explain how solute removal is affected by solvent rate. Explain what is analogous to minimum reflux ratio in distillation. Explain what happens as the solvent to feed ratio is altered. Define the concept of “delta” and be able to derive the values of “delta” composition. (1)



Homework Policy
  Homework is due at the beginning of the class indicated. 
  • Late homework (without an official university/medical excuse) will not be accepted. 
  • Homework grades are weighted 105% to allow for occasional "slip-ups". 
  • You may work with classmates on homework but the work you turn in is to represent your personal effort. 
  • The format of the regular homework is to be consistent with published departmental format and style sheets. Credit will be lost for sloppy or unclear work. 

The Daily Schedule should be consulted for homework assignment due dates. Special notices may also be posted to this area so check frequently for updates and new information.

Important Dates: 2006 Summer Term
 


May 17 Pre-Term Preparation
May 18 Classes begin
May 29 Memorial Day Holiday
June 22 Mid Semester (25th Class Day)
July 3-4 Independence Day (Holiday)
Aug 1 Classes End
Aug 2-4 Final Exam Period
Aug 7 Graduation

Class Announcements
  Class announcements such as assignment clarifications, etc. will be made verbally in class, via class email, or through the course web site. It is your responsibility to attend class, and check the course web material regularly.  
Quizzes and Examinations
 

Quizzes: 

  • Unannounced short quizzes will be given (generally once each week) to reinforce important principles and to encourage preparation for class. 
  • Quizzes will not be able to be made up without an official university/medical excuse. 
  • Quizzes will generally be given at the beginning of the class hour. If you arrive late, do not expect to receive additional time.

Hour Exams: 

  • Three examinations will be given during the semester to demonstrate the student's ability to utilize the material lectured on and presented in the text as reading assignments. Examinations are also used to evaluate the student's success in meeting published course outcomes.
  • The exams will be open book in format.
  • Students may prepare and utilize personally prepared handwritten notes during the exams. The format and other restrictions on these notes will be discussed in class. These notes will be turned in with the exam and returned with the graded exam.
  • No other materials can be used during the exam (homework, class notes, old exams, etc.).   
  • Makeup exams will be accomodated for students with an official university excuse.
  • Students arriving late or unprepared for exams will not be given additional consideration.
  • Exams will be recollected by the department after students have an opportunity to view and copy the exams if they wish. Exams are maintained by the department for accreditation purposes.

Final Exam:

  • A 2-1/2 hour comprehensive final examination will be given at the official time. 
  • Students arriving after the official start time of the final examination will not be given additional time.
Graded Material
  You are advised to keep on file all graded materials in case there is a question about your course grade. 
Grading Policy
 

Your final grade will be determined by proportionally weighting performance in the following areas 

  • Hour+ Exams (3) - 20% each
  • Final - 30%
  • Homework and Classwork - 30% (includes homework, quizzes, and other projects)

Grade breakpoints are determined according to University Bulletin criteria applied to each area. The following summarizes the criteria published in the University Bulletin 

  • A: Superior 
  • B: Good (not Superior) 
  • C: Acceptable (not Good) 
  • D: Passing (not Acceptable and not Failing) 
  • F: Failing (not Passing) 

The breakpoints employed for the three exams are established by student performance and will be announce when the exams are returned. These may vary from exam to exam and reflect the difficulty of the material and other factors. 
Breakpoints for homework assignments and quizzes are: A=92%, B=84%, C=76%, D=64%. 
The "traditional" factors of 90/80/70/60 are not observed.

Characteristics of Grade Benchmarks (employed in all courses taught)

A - Student clearly demonstrates an in-depth technical understanding of the concepts. Able to offer different technical viewpoints and solutions to a problem. Demonstrates the ability to apply the concepts creatively. Consistently carries problems to a final and justified solution. Demonstrates technical leadership in the subject. 

B - Student demonstrates a technical understanding sufficient for solving the majority of problems. Able to propose at least one technical solution or viewpoint to a problem. Consistently carries problems to a satisfactory solution. Can explain and justify a conclusion or approach most of the time. 

C - Student demonstrates a technical understanding sufficient for solving straightforward problems but may have trouble with more complex variations or situations. Carries problems through to an adequate solution most of the time. Able to explain and justify conclusions or approaches for many cases but with uncertainty. 

D - Student's ability to apply the concepts even to straight-forward problems is marginal. Carries problems through to an adequate solution only sporadically. The ability to explain or justify conclusions is weak and sporadic. There would be a question with regard to the ability to work in the area in an industrial setting. 

F - Student's ability to apply the concepts to problems is seriously in question. The ability to do industrial work in the area undemonstrated. 

 

Academic Honesty
 

In order to articulate fully its commitment to academic honesty and to protect members of its community from the results of dishonest conduct Auburn University has adopted policies to deal with cases of academic dishonesty. These policies are intended not only to emphasize the imperative of integrity, but also to protect the rights of all members of the university community. The complete academic regulations concerning cheating are located in the Tiger Cub Student Handbook, Code of Laws, Title XII, Student Academic Honesty Code, Chapters 1200-1203.

Departmental Honesty Statement: By affixing my signature below, I acknowledge I am aware of the Auburn University policy concerning academic honesty, plagiarism, and cheating. This policy is defined in the current Tiger Cub Student Handbook, Code of Laws, Title XII, Student Academic Honesty Code, Chapters 1200-1203. I further attest that the work I am submitting with this exam is solely my own and was developed during the exam. I have used no notes, materials, or other aids except those permitted by the instructor.

The following information is the implimentation and delineation of those policies by the above faculty member.

When a student is suspected of violating academic honesty standards, the faculty member will, as soon as reasonably possible, notify the student of the suspected infraction, seek the student's explanation, undertake any further investigation the faculty member considers appropriate, and initially determine whether a violation of the academic honesty policy has likely occurred.

If an act of academic dishonesty is determined to have likely occurred the matter will be turned over to the Auburn University Academic Honesty Committee

Forms of Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else's words, ideas, or data as one's own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. By placing his/her name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments. Plagiarism covers unpublished as well as published sources.

Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to: 1. Quoting another person's actual words, complete sentences or paragraphs, or an entire piece of written work without acknowledgment of the source; 2. Using another person's ideas, opinions, or theory, even if it is completely paraphrased in one's own words without acknowledgment of the source; 3. Borrowing facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials that are not clearly common knowledge without acknowledgment of the source; 4. Copying another student's essay test answers; 5. Copying, or allowing another student to copy, a computer file that contains another student's assignment, and submitting it, in part or in its entirety, as one's own; or 6. Working together on an assignment, sharing the computer files and programs involved, and then submitting individual copies of the assignment as one's own individual work. Students are urged to consult with individual faculty members, academic departments, or recognized handbooks in their field if in doubt regarding issues of plagiarism.

Fabrication is the use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings.

Examples include, but are not limited to: 1. Citation of information not taken from the source indicated. This may include the incorrect documentation of secondary source materials; 2. Listing sources in a bibliography not used in the academic exercise; 3. Submission in a paper, thesis, lab report, or other academic exercise of falsified, invented, or fictitious data or evidence, or deliberate and knowing concealment or distortion of the true nature, origin, or function of such data or evidence; or 4. Submitting as your own any academic exercises (e.g., written work, printing, sculpture, etc.) prepared totally or in part by another.

Cheating is an act or an attempted act of deception by which a student seeks to misrepresent that he or she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he or she has not mastered. Examples include, but are not limited to: 1. Copying from another student's test paper; 2. Allowing another student to copy from a test paper; 3. Unauthorized use of course textbook or other materials such as a notebook to complete a test or other assignment from the faculty member; 4. Collaborating on a test, quiz, or other project with any other person(s) without authorization. 5. Using or processing specifically prepared materials during a test (e.g., notes, formula lists, notes written on the students clothing, etc.) that are not authorized; or 6. Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone else to take a test for you.

Academic Misconduct includes other academically dishonest acts such as tampering with grades or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of an administered or unadministered test. Examples include, but are not limited to: 1. Stealing, buying, or otherwise obtaining all or part of an administered or unadministered test; 2. Selling or giving away all or part of an administered or unadministered test including questions and/or answers; 3. Bribing any other person to obtain an administered or unadministered test or any information about the test; 4. Entering a building or office for the purpose of changing a grade in a grade book, on a test, or on other work for which a grade is given; 5. Changing, altering, or being an accessory to the changing and/or altering of a grade in a grade book, on a test, a "change of grade" form, or other official academic records of the University that relate to grades; 6. Entering a building or office for the purpose of obtaining an administered or unadministered test; 7. Continuing to work on an examination or project after the specified allotted time has elapsed; 8. Any buying or otherwise acquiring any theme report, term paper, essay, computer software, other written work, and handing it in as your own to fulfill academic requirement; or 9. Any selling, giving, or otherwise supplying to another student for use in fulfilling academic requirements any theme, report, term paper, essay, computer software, other written work.

 

Special Accommodations
  Students needing special accommodations (for school events, personal circumstances, disabilities, etc.) should bring that need to my attention as soon as possible, along with the appropriate written verification. 
Electronic Devices
  Electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and alarms must be turned off or set to silent mode throughout class. Disruptions of the class during examinations will result in loss of 10% of the exam credit.
  

Comments or problems: Contact Dr. Timothy D. Placek
All Pages Copyright 2006 by Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
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