ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 1 Expository Class: 31 Interactive Classroom: 21 Total: 53
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Chemistry Engineering
Areas: Chemical Engineering
Center Higher Technical Engineering School
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
Curricular Objectives: Typical concepts and methodologies of chemical engineering; Chemical process concept; Material and heat energy balances; Ethics in Chemical Engineering.
Training Objectives: Problem solving strategy; Spreadsheet; Strengthen relationship and communication skills; Simulator use; Explanation of everyday events.
In accordance with what is established in the report of the Degree in Chemical Engineering, the contents of this subject must refer to the following headings:
1. Chemical Engineering.
2. Ethics in engineering.
3. Concept of industrial process: unit operations, equipment, process diagrams.
4. Conservation principles: application to process units.
5. Key concepts: balance, steady and non-steady state, recycling, purge and bypass.
6. Material balances: systems without chemical reaction and systems with chemical reaction.
7. Heat energy balances: systems without chemical reaction and systems with chemical reaction.
Technical visit
These contents are organized in the following lectures, interactive and practical classes in the computer classroom:
Lectures
1. In the first part of the subject, chemical engineering concepts are introduced. To do this, we start from a particular problem: producing a certain product from raw materials and then the process is developed. Concepts of fluid transport, heat transport, mass transfer, kinetics, interphase equilibrium and chemical reactors are reviewed, presenting the characteristic equipment of each of the units. Finally, the operational logic is analyzed by studying the process diagram. The ethical aspects of interest in Chemical Engineering and their relationship with the SDGs are also reviewed. 4 CExp+ 2 C Int Sem
2. Systems of units. International System/Engineering System/Imperial System. Unit conversion. Conversion factors 2 CExp+1CIntSem
3. Mass balances without chemical reaction. Application to problems with recycling, purge and by-pass. 7 C Exp + 4 C Int S
4. Mass balances in systems with chemical reaction. Ideal reactors. 7 C Exp +3 C Int Sem
5. Energy balance in systems without chemical reaction. 5 C Exp + 2 C Int S
6. Energy balance in systems with chemical reaction. Isothermal and adiabatic operation. 6 C Exp + 3 C Int Sem
Interactive Seminar Classes
In the seminars, some typical problems based on the content of the subject are solved, delving into its practical aspects. Among them, the possibility to address mass and energy balances of a chemical process of certain complexity (preferably related to the industrial process plant visited) is considered.
Interactive classes in computer classroom
The concepts on mass and energy balances exposed and developed in the expository and interactive classes are worked on through the application of a simulator to analyze different situations in the operation of an industrial chemical process. Specifically, the following sections will be seen: 1.- Introduction to the simulator; 2.- Definition of currents; 3.- Physical Properties; 4.- Cooler/warmer; 5.- Mixture balance/Current bifurcation; 6.- Flash separator; 7.- Conversion reactor (adiabatic and isothermal). 8.- Recycling of streams.
There are 3 practical sessions of 2 hours each, so the first is focused on sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; The second session is dedicated to working on sections 6 and 7; The third session is focused on section 8 and the development and delivery of a work that will be evaluative.
Group tutorials
Small group tutoring (1h) will be used by the teacher to guide the students on the technical visit to a company in the chemical sector and the completion of the practices and exams.
Basic bibliography
CALLEJA PARDO, G. Introducción a la Ingeniería Química. Madrid. Ed. Síntesis, 1999. ISBN 84-7738-664-1.
FELDER, R.M. and ROSSEAU, R.W. Principios Elementales de los Procesos Químicos. 3ª Ed. México, Ed. Limusa Wiley, 2010. ISBN 9789681861698.
Further reading
COSTA NOVELLA, E. et al. Ingeniería Química. Vol. I y II. Madrid. Ed. Alhambra, 1988. ISBN 84-205-0990-6 / 84-205-1021-1.
COSTA LÓPEZ, J. et al. Curso de Ingeniería Química: Introducción a los Procesos, las Operaciones Unitarias y los Fenómenos de Transporte. Barcelona. Ed. Reverté, 2002. ISBN 84-291-7126-6.
IZQUIERDO, J.F. et al. Introducción a la Ingeniería Química. Problemas resueltos de balances de materia y energía. 2ª ed. Barcelona. Ed. Reverté, 2015. ISBN 978-84-291-7116-7.
SOLEN, K.A. and HARB, J. N. Introduction to Chemical Engineering: tools for today and tomorrow. Wiley, 2010. ISBN 9780470885727.
DENN, M.M. Chemical Engineering: an introduction. Cambridge University Press, 2012. ISBN 9781107669376.
FEIJOO, G., Moreira M.T. and Lema J.M. Mass Balances for Chemical Engineers. De Gruyter, 2020. ISBN 3110624303, 9783110624304. Recurso on-line.
Knowledge or content
Con17: Knowledge about: Mass and energy balances; Biotechnology; Mass transfer; Separation operations; Chemical reaction engineering; Reactor design; Valorization and transformation of raw materials and energy resources.
Con18: Knowledge in basic and technological subjects, which enables them to learn new methods and theories, and gives them the versatility to adapt to new situations.
Skills
H/D04: Critical reasoning and ethical commitment.
H/D05: Ability to apply knowledge in practice.
Competencies
Comp05: Ability to: Analysis and design of processes and products; Simulation and optimization of processes and products.
Comp08: Ability to solve problems with initiative, decision making, creativity, critical reasoning and to communicate and transmit knowledge, skills in the field of Industrial Engineering.
In this subject, which is taught in Galician and/or Spanish, the USC Virtual Classroom is used, through the Moodle application. The USC Virtual Classroom will be used through the Moodle application with the following objectives:
• Provide information about the subject (teaching schedule, schedules, exams, various announcements, etc.)
• Provide the necessary materials for classes (presentations of the topics, bulletins, complementary material, etc.).
• Serve as a communication tool with students through the news forum.
• Propose tasks.
• Eventually, propose evaluation tests.
• Include, if necessary, access to videoconference sessions via Teams (for individual tutoring).
The classes are structured as expository, interactive and practical in the computer room. Two group tutorials will also be developed with different contents, as explained below.
In the first part of the subject, a “case study” methodology will be applied, always trying to involve the student. The case taken as a reference will be that of the process carried out in a real industry to which a technical visit will be carried out. One hour of expository class, assigned to this topic, will be dedicated to the technical visit. Topic 2 will be done almost exclusively on the basis of solving problems related to its contents. In the remaining topics, the contents will be presented and standard problems will be solved that allow the analysis of the concepts studied. Some problems will be solved with a spreadsheet and the results will be analyzed.
The seminar sessions will be dedicated to working with students on solving problems raised in the respective bulletins. The students will be directly involved in its resolution, so it is assumed that the students have previously prepared the contents as personal work. Likewise, one of the interactive seminar classes on topic 1 will be dedicated to working with the students on the process carried out in the industry in which the technical visit will take place.
For each topic, a problem bulletin will be provided, as well as the necessary work material (data, tables, etc.) through the subject's Virtual Classroom. Different activities will be proposed throughout the course.
The activities in the computer classroom will consist of solving problems of a different nature related to the contents of the expository classes and in the simulation of the chemical process studied in the expository classes, trying to have the student assimilate the concept of process and analyze the interrelation between the various operating variables.
The Aspen Hysys process simulator will be used to introduce students to process simulation, simulating different units of chemical processes studied in class.
The technical visit, referred to above, will take place during the month of October (date to be confirmed). The company will be in the chemical sector and will have a process similar to that considered in class. Students will be proposed to carry out group work and prepare a report in which they especially consider the application of the concepts contemplated in the subject, with the identification of the basic operations and the equipment and units seen in class, as well as a global vision of the process. This visit will be subject to the availability of financing.
Small group tutoring will be used to guide students in several important aspects. Thus, on the one hand, it will be oriented on carrying out the technical visit and, on the other, on the dynamics of carrying out the practices and the typology of questions and structure of the subject exams. Attendance at this tutorial is mandatory.
The evaluation of learning will be carried out both through continuous evaluation and exams.
The continuous evaluation will account for 30% of the overall grade and consists of the following sections:
- Computer Class Activities. Activities in the computer classroom will have a weight of 20% of the final grade for the subject. There are three practice sessions. It is mandatory to carry out this activity.
- Group tutoring to guide the visit to the company. The student's participation in group tutorials has a weight of 10% in the final grade. The evaluation will be carried out on the report submitted by each group of students in relation to the technical visit to the company. A tutorial will be used to guide the students on how to carry out the group work of the visit to the company, considering the different contents reviewed on the subject related to chemical processes and how to refer them to the visualization of real operations and equipment in the plant. process, as well as the structure and preparation of the report. It is mandatory to carry out this activity.
The exam part will account for 70% of the grade, it consists of:
- 2 intermediate tests. Two intermediate tests will be carried out in the months of October and November, in a class hour that will be communicated one week in advance. The tests will allow the subject to be eliminated if a minimum grade of 4 is obtained (in the event that the test consists of two parts - theory and problems - the minimum grade of four will be in each of the two parts). Intermediate test 1 will be on the contents of topics 1, 2 and 3 (balances in systems without recirculation, purge and by-pass). Test 2 will be carried out on topics 3 (balances with recirculation, purge and by pass) and 4.
- Final exam. There will be a final exam divided into Theory and Problems. Both the Theory exam and the Problems exam will be divided into three parts related to different contents: Part 1: contents of intermediate test 1; Part 2: contents of intermediate test 2; Part 3: contents of topics 5 and 6. Those students who have passed one or both parts previously examined will only have to take the parts not passed and part 3. The weight in the exam grade of each of the parts is: Part 1 30%, Part 2 30% and Part 3 40%.
The overall grade will be obtained using the following formula:
GLOBAL NOTE= 0.3·(Note Test 1 or Note Part 1 Final Exam) + 0.3·(Note Test 2 or Note Part 2 Final Exam) + 0.4·(Note Part 3 Final Exam)
In any of the exams, Theory will have a weight of 30% and Problems a weight of 70%. A grade lower than 3.5 in Theory and/or Problems means a failure in the subject. An overall grade of less than 4 in the exam means failure in the subject. In any other case, the average grade for the subject will be obtained from the combined grade of those achieved in the continuous evaluation part (30%) and exam (70%), being necessary to obtain a grade equal to or greater than 5 to pass the subject.
The consideration of “not presented” will be taken if none of the activities under evaluation are carried out.
For the second opportunity evaluation, all the grades from the continuous evaluation of the course will be maintained, so that the student will only have to take a new final exam. In accordance with the provisions of the Resolution of June 15, 2011, which is published in the Regulations for the evaluation of academic performance of students and the review of qualifications, approved by the USC Governing Council on June 15, 2011, the qualifications of the practices of the computer room and the technical visit will be maintained from one course to the next, if applicable.
Knowledge assessment Con/competencies Comp/skills H/D
…………………………………TO. Computer Science………..….T. group………..….Exams
With17..............................X.................. .......X..................X
With18....................X.................. .......X....................X
H/D04................................................ .........X....................X
H/D05……………………………….X…….............………………….… …..…….…X
Comp05…………………..........X…….……..……......…….………………………….X
Comp08…………………………..X…………….….…….....X……………………...X
IMPORTANT: Attendance at mandatory activities will be governed by the regulations of the University of Santiago de Compostela:
https://minerva.usc.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10347/13189/XA0830.PDF?se…
IMPORTANT: In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the regulations for evaluating the academic performance of students and reviewing grades will apply. This indicates that the fraudulent completion of any exercise or test required in the evaluation will imply a failure grade in the corresponding call, regardless of the disciplinary process that may be followed against the offending student. The creation of plagiarized work (for example, from classmates) or obtained from sources accessible to the public without reworking or reinterpretation and without citations to the authors and sources will be considered fraudulent, among others. The distribution, by different means (for example, web pages) and without the consent of the teachers, of any teaching material posted in the virtual classroom or provided by other means is also strictly prohibited.
The following table indicates the hours planned for each activity:
Activity .......................face to face (h)... Personal work (h)
Classes.................................31........... ............ 35
Seminars............................... 15.................... ..... 30
Computer room....................6................................ 3
Group tutorials....................1.......................... 5
Examination and review....................4.............................. 20
Total....................................57......... ................. 93
• Attendance at practices in the Computer Class and group tutorials/technical visit is mandatory. Attendance at expository and interactive classes is highly recommended for good follow-up of the subject and as help for the preparation of evaluable activities.
• The use of the USC Virtual Campus application for the subject is recommended.
• The use of the teacher's individualized tutorial schedule is recommended to resolve doubts in relation to the content studied by the student.
• Follow the subject day by day.
• Actively participate in classes.
• Solve the problems. Not "see how they are resolved."
Classes will be taught in Galician and/or Spanish.
As stated in the methodology, the virtual classroom will be Moodle.
This course will use the Aspen Hysys simulator to carry out the practices.
Enrique Roca Bordello
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816774
- enrique.roca [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A2 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 13:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Spanish | Classroom A2 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Spanish | Classroom A2 |
| Thursday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Spanish | Classroom A2 |
| 01.09.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.09.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_03 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.09.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.09.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_02 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.09.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 01.09.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.19.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.19.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.19.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_03 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.19.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.19.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_02 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.19.2025 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A1 |