This course deals with the classical mechanical and thermal unit operations. The operation principles, design, calculation are presented. During the lab sessions, experiments are performed on a number of pilot units (distillation, absorption, fluidisation, stirred tank, axial dispersion, heat regeneration).
The most common mechanical and thermal unit operations in process industry and biotechnology (filtration, sedimentation, cyclones, evaporation, drying, crystallisation, evaporation) are discussed. Simple models are applied to a range of unit operations. A methodology to understand, analyse and optimize the operation of chemical processes and sequences of unit operations is educated. The theoretical background is applied in (compulsary) lab exercises (distillation, sedimentation, fluidisation, stirred tank, axial dispersion, heat regeneration) in small student groups. A selected series of problems is solved in exercise sessions. Problem solving abilities, team work and reporting skills are trained.
The objectives of this course are to describe the fundamentals of mechanical and thermal unit operations and to be able to develop and use simple models for unit operation design and analysis.