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. The technical visit will also be used to introduce students to the ethical aspects of professional practice in Chemical Engineering.
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 Learning Management Systme (LMS) is 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. A group tutorial will also be developed. The content is 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 chemical process units studied in class. Attendance at the computer lab exercises is mandatory. In the third session, a mandatory assessment activity will be completed, which students must submit at the end of that session.
The technical visit, mentioned above, will take place during the month of October (date to be confirmed). The company will be in the chemical sector and will follow a process similar to the one discussed in class. Students will be required to complete a group project and prepare a report specifically addressing the application of the concepts covered in the course, identifying the basic operations, equipment, and units discussed in class, as well as providing an overview of the process. This visit will be subject to funding availability. The report on the work performed during the technical visit must be submitted within seven days of the visit. Small group tutoring will be used to guide students through several important aspects. This will include guidance on the implementation of the technical visit, practical exercises, and the types of questions and structure of the exams for the course. Attendance at this tutoring session is mandatory.
Learning will be assessed through both continuous assessment and exams.
Continuous assessment will account for 30% of the overall grade and consists of the following sections:
- Computer Room Activities. Computer room activities will count for 20% of the final grade for the course. There are three practical sessions. This activity is mandatory and required for the final exam. It is also important to justify absences,
according to the USC class attendance regulations. Assessment will be conducted through a simulation exercise in HYSYS, which students must complete and submit during the final practical session.
- Group tutoring for the company visit. Student participation in group tutoring counts for 10% of the final grade. The assessment will be based on the report submitted by each student group regarding the technical visit to the company. Tutoring will be used to guide students on how to complete the group work during the company visit, considering the different content reviewed in the course related to chemical processes and how to relate it to the visualization of actual operations and equipment in a process plant, as well as on the structure and preparation of the report. This activity is mandatory and required for the final exam.
The exam part will account for 70% of the grade and consists of:
- Two midterm tests. Two midterm tests will be held in October and November, during one class hour, which will be announced one week in advance. The tests will allow students to pass the subject if a minimum grade of 4 is obtained (in the case of a two-part test—theory and problems—the minimum grade of 4 will be obtained in each of the two parts). Midterm Test 1 will cover the content of Topics 1, 2, and 3 (balances in non-recirculating systems, purging, and bypass). Test 2 will cover topics 3 (balances with recirculation, purge, and bypass) and 4.
- Final Exam. Final exam will be divided into Theory and Problems. Both the Theory and Problems exams will be divided into three parts related to different content: Part 1: contents of Intermediate Test 1; Part 2: contents of Intermediate Test 2; Part 3: contents of topics 5 and 6. Students who have passed one or both of the previously passed sections will only have to take the parts they failed and Part 3. The weighting of each part of the exam grade is: Part 1 30%, Part 2 30%, and Part 3 40%.
The overall grade will be obtained using the following formula:
OVERALL GRADE = 0.3 (Grade for Test 1 or Part 1 Final Exam) + 0.3 (Grade for Test 2 or Part 2 Final Exam) + 0.4 (Grade for Part 3 Final Exam)
In any exam, theory will carry 30% of the weight, and problems will carry 70%. A grade lower than 4 in theory and/or problems will result in failure. An overall grade lower than 4 on the exam will result in failure. Otherwise, the average grade for the course will be obtained from the combined grades obtained in the continuous assessment section (30%) and the exam (70%). A grade of 5 or higher is required to pass the course.
A student will be considered a "no show" if none of the assessed activities are completed.
For the second-chance assessment, all continuous assessment grades for the course will be mantained, meaning that students will only need to take a new full final exam (interim exam grades will not be retained). If they were passed in the previous year, the grades for the computer lab and the technical visit will be retained for repeat students.
Knowledge assessment Con/competencies Comp/skills H/D
………………………………… Computer Lab………..….T. group………..….Exams
Con17..............................X.................. .......X..................X
Con18....................X.................. .......X....................X
H/D04................................................ .........X....................X
H/D05……………………………….X…….............………………….… …..…….…X
Comp05…………………..........X…….……..……......…….………………………….X
Comp08…………………………..X…………….….…….....X……………………...X
• Class attendance is not valued (article 1 of the "Regulations for the evaluation of academic performance of students and the review of grades" of the USC).
In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or evaluation tests, the provisions of the USC "Regulations for the evaluation of academic performance of students and review of qualifications" will apply.
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 Room 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 LMS 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 USC LMS 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A2 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_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 |
| Friday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A2 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_03 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS01 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS02 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS03 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS04 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS05 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS06 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS07 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_02 | Classroom A3 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS02 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS03 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS04 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS05 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS06 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS07 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_02 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_03 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A4 |
| 01.09.2026 09:15-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS01 | Classroom A4 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS01 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS02 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS03 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS04 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS05 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS06 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS07 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_02 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLIL_03 | Classroom A1 |
| 06.16.2026 09:30-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A1 |