Skip to main content
Unit outline_

CHNG4806: Chemical Engineering Design B

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In the overall design process, chemical engineers must clearly understand the (often complex) interactions and trade-offs that occur between technical, economic, social and environmental considerations. This unit of study builds on concepts in each of these areas introduced in previous years but with an emphasis on their successful integration within a comprehensive design activity. This design activity is spread over two units (Chemical Engineering Design A and B) run in first and second semester. The primary aim in the first unit is to consider the technical issues- with an emphasis on creating and evaluating a range of alternative options that exist at both the unit operation and complete flowsheet levels. The primary emphasis in this unit is on evaluating how non-technical considerations affect the final process design and its operation. Students joining this course from the Major Industrial Placement Project (MIPPs CHNG 4203) or as overseas students (with approval) do the same assignment but on a different schedule.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CHNG4802 or CHNG4203
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Enrolment in this unit of study assumes that all core 3000 level chemical engineering units of study have been successfully completed, as well as the related first semester UoS CHNG4802 or CHNG4203

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gordon Weiss, g.weiss@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Gordon Weiss, g.weiss@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Planning your project
Report, Excel workbook
2% Week 01
Due date: 02 Aug 2024 at 23:59
5 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Assignment group assignment Selection of the process and unit operations
Presentation and associated briefing notes
10% Week 03
Due date: 16 Aug 2024 at 23:59
10 min presentation, 20 pages of notes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Assignment group assignment Design of the process
Report, Excel workbook, drawings
20% Week 06
Due date: 06 Sep 2024 at 23:59
20 page report, 10 drawings
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Design of the unit operations
Report, Excel workbook, drawings
47% Week 10
Due date: 08 Oct 2024 at 23:59
70 page report
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Review and optimisation of the process
Report plus drawings
12% Week 13
Due date: 29 Oct 2024 at 23:59
30 page report
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Final Board Presentation
Presentation and associated briefing notes
6% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 14:00
10 min presentation, 20 pages of notes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Participation Reflection on team work
Written essay
3% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 14:00
Two page report
Outcomes assessed: LO1
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Planning your project

  • Selection of the process and unit operations

  • Design of the process

  • Design of the unit operations

  • Review and optimisation of the process

  • Final Board Presentation

  • Reflection on team work
     

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Monday: Schedule, the design process, guidelines for the course Thursday: Working in groups, project management, assessment, outline of all reports, presenting material in reports. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Considerations when designing integrated processes, Introduction to utilities Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 How to get computer models to work, Dealing with complex Excel workbooks Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Reminder about PFDs, introduction to safety shutdown systems Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Safety shutdown systems, introduction to plantwide control Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Design of key unit operations Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7
Week 07 Design of unit operations, control of unit operations Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Design of control systems for unit operations, Preparing P&IDs and mechanical drawings Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 10 Optimisation, control system design Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Wrap up, planning for the final presentation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

  • Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers. Peters, Timmerhaus and West. Fifth edition. McGraw Hill. 2003.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. work effectively within a team to deliver a common objective
  • LO2. identify knowledge gaps and evaluate the technical literature to close the knowledge gaps as it applies to the design of the proposed process flowsheet
  • LO3. evaluate and optimise alternative process flowsheet designs to ensure compliance with the specified performance requirements
  • LO4. construct a complex process flowsheet with reference to the specified performance requirements, while dealing with competing objectives and constraints
  • LO5. apply prior knowledge of unit operations to design a unit operation within a proposed process flowsheet, including the application of chemical engineering design tools
  • LO6. undertake hazard assessments, hazard operability studies and comprehensive environmental impact assessments on a proposed process flowsheet.
  • LO7. communicate complex technical information to a broad audience

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Better guidelines on the requirements will be provided. Additional learning activities will be added to tutorials. Coordination between supervisors will be improved.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.