Course Descriptions

This course is designed to introduce first year students to the building block of chemical engineering processes: the unit operation. The fundamentals of chemical plant design, process flow diagrams, and unit operations will be illustrated both by lecture and by laboratory experiments. The lecture component will focus on full-scale equipment used in industry and, in parallel, experiments using some of that same equipment will be undertaken at the bench-scale. A bench-scale batch chemical plant will be built along with a paper-design of a full-scale plant. The course will culminate in a field trip to an industrial plant.

Weekly hours: 1.5 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Restriction(s): Restricted to students in the College of Engineering.
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): GE 163.2

Single phase fluid flow is considered for both gas and liquids. Newtonian and non-Newtonian concepts are introduced. Mass, energy and momentum balance equations, including Bernoulli's equation (mechanical energy) are developed and applied to various fluid flow systems. The concepts of laminar and turbulent flow regimes are discussed and applied to flow in pipes and network. Fluid metering is presented. Other topics include pump and compressors and flow through consolidated and unconsolidated porous media.

Prerequisite(s): (CHEM 115.3 and MATH 223.3 (taken) or CHEM 146.3 and MATH 223.3 (taken)).
Note:Students with credit for CE 225 will not receive credit for this course.

The lectures and problems will illustrate the use of energy and material balances in chemical and biochemical engineering processes.

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): GE 163.3; and one of CHEM 115.3 or CHEM 146.3.

Fundamental principles of thermodynamics with particular emphasis on generalized methods. Considerable time is devoted to the thermodynamics of solutions with an emphasis on generalized methods for dealing with deviations from ideal behaviour. These principles are applied to the calculation of equilibrium compositions in liquid-vapour systems.

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHEM 242 or ENVE 201
Note: Students with credit for CHEM 347 will not receive credit for this course.
Note: Students in the Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Program must complete CHEM 242.3 as a prerequisite for this course.

Fundamental concepts of biochemistry and biomaterials. Contents cover simple and complex biomolecules including amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, fats, nucleic acids, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and others. Fundamentals of cell biology and genetics will be introduced. Physical, chemical, and biological properties, characterization and analysis of biomaterials will be discussed. Biomaterial applications in the fields of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and food, bio-composites, biofuels, and biosensors will be also discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 113 or permission of the department.

Mass transfer operations involving contact by stages, including single-stage, binary multiple-stage contacting, and multicomponent multiple-stage contacting. Gas absorption, distillation, and liquid extraction are included.

Prerequisite(s): CHE 323.

Ordinary and partial differential equations as they relate to chemical engineering processes. Laplace transforms for ordinary differential equations. Analytic and numerical solutions to partial differential equations. An emphasis will be placed on the development of mathematical models for chemical engineering systems.

Prerequisite(s): MATH 224 (taken) and CHE 220.

Topics include the treatment of vapour-liquid equilibria at high pressures, expansion and compression of fluids, steam power-plant cycles, liquefaction of gases and refrigeration.

Prerequisite(s): CHE 223.

Steady and transient conduction. Convective transfer processes and heat transfer coefficients. Heat exchanger design. Radiant heat transfer.

Prerequisite(s): CHE 210 (taken).
Prerequisite or Corequisite(s): CHE 322.

The concepts of industrial chemical process design, industrial economics, process optimization, process simulation and plant safety. Encourages students to use their fundamental knowledge in science and mathematics to design practical chemical engineering facilities. Special emphasis will be placed on safety, hazards, sustainability and loss prevention issues in chemical plants.

Prerequisite(s): CHE 210 and CHE 220.
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 323.
Note: Students with credit for CHE 881 will not receive credit for this course.

Students will work in teams and perform a detailed design of a chemical engineering process including plant layout, Process Flow Diagram (PFD), material and energy balances, simulation, equipment sizing, costing, safety, and economics. Each student will act as team manager for a specific phase of the project. Projects will be provided by the course instructor.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 325 (taken).

Students are trained in chemical engineering experimental methods with an emphasis on safety. A series of experiments using bench scale apparatus to study fluid mechanics, heat transfer and thermodynamics are offered. The method of reporting results is emphasized.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 210 and CHE 324.

This course covers the fundamental chemistry, reactions and separations involved in the value-added processing of refinery products such as ethylene, sulfur, medium heating value gas, etc. An emphasis will be placed on the use of petrochemical properties in the engineering design and operation of petroleum value-added processes. The focus will be centered on chemical industries and feed stocks associated with Saskatchewan and Western Canada. The chemistry and concerns of petrochemical pollutants will also be discovered.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 220 and CHEM 250.
Note: Offered in alternate years.

Introduction to the fundamentals of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy. Topics include: process mineralogy, liberation and comminution, classification, physical separation and concentration techniques, solid-liquid separation, drying and calcining, ion exchange of metals, electrowinning of metals, sampling and assaying, and process control in mineral processing.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 210 or ME 215 or CE 225
Note: Registration in this course is prioritized for students registered in the Chemical Engineering program. Undergraduate students registered in other programs must obtain permission from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in order to register in this course.

An examination of the principles of applied chemical kinetics and their use in chemical reactor design and chemical plant operation. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous kinetics, including catalysis, are considered.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 322 and CHEM 242.

Experiments are chosen in the fields of biochemical engineering, mass transfer, simultaneous heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics and process dynamics. Pilot plant scale apparatus are used to more closely demonstrate industrial conditions. The method of reporting is emphasized.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 315 and CHE 333 (taken).
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 423.

Further topics in mass transfer operations. Molecular diffusion, mass transfer coefficients, continuous contacting, gas absorption, air-water contacting, drying.

Prerequisite(s): CHE 315 (taken).

Instrumentation and control systems will be discussed. Classical linear control theory and stability criteria for control system design are introduced. The development of dynamic equations for elements of control loops is emphasized. Survey and discussion of particular control schemes for chemical engineering processes.

Prerequisite(s): CHE 322.

Experiments using semi-pilot plant and pilot plant scale are chosen in the areas of process dynamics and control, mass transfer, reaction kinetics and reactor design. The method of reporting is emphasized.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 414 (taken), CHE 421 (taken) and CHE 423 (taken).

Intended for engineers and others who wish to develop an appreciation of the principles of corrosion and corrosion control and their application to the selection of materials of construction and the protection of engineering systems.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 223 or ME 227.

Air pollution topics include causes and effects of air pollution, sampling and analysis of air and stack gas samples, stack gas dispersion models, and the design of industrial control measures for particulates. Water pollution topics include causes and effects of water pollution, biology of receiving waters and treatment systems, sampling and analysis of wastewaters, and industrial control measures including biological methods such as trickling filters, aeration basins and activated sludge systems.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 210.
Note: Students with credit for CHE 882 may not have credit for this course.

The application of chemical engineering principles to the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries. A refinery survey looks at key unit operations such as atmospheric distillation catalytic cracking, and reforming. Bitumen and heavy oil upgrading are also discussed. Processes for the production of petrochemicals from natural gas constituents are examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 210 and CHE 220.

The main objective of this course is to introduce the engineering students to the fundamental concepts of bioprocess engineering. Specifically, this course aims to provide the students with an understanding of the role that microorganisms and/or enzymes could play in a variety of bioprocesses and the industrial applications of such processes. Topics such as cell nutrients, microbial growth and kinetics, enzymatic reactions and kinetics, bioreactors (batch, fed batch, continuous flow), cell immobilization and immobilized cell bioreactors, solid state fermentation, bioreactor and fermentor scale-up/scale down, mixing, aeration, instrumentation, and genetic engineering will be covered.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 210.3, or ME 215.3, or CE 225.3, or permission of the department.

The course covers fundamental and essential unit operations and equipment for food and bioprocessing. The unit operations include industrial thermal processing (heating, cooling, freezing), sterilization and pasteurization, solid handling and conveying, biomass pre-treatment, biological conversion, thermochemical conversion, and bio-refining processes. In the end of this course students will understand industrial processes in the food and bioprocessing fields and be able to design hybrid processes and equipment for target food and bioprocessing.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 210.3, or ME 215.3, or CE 225.3 OR permission of the department.

The course covers bioprocess industries and bioproducts for food and bioprocessing. The bioprocess industries include pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, bioenergy, biomaterials, biotechnological, and bio-functional industries. All the related products, such as antibiotics, vaccines, CBD, THC, enzymes, alcoholic beverages, dairy products, meat products, biofuels, bio-composites, biosensors and biomimetic devices will be introduced in terms of production and product characterization.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 210.3, or ME 215.3, or CE 225.3, or permission of the department.

An introduction to the techniques used in the production of oil and natural gas. Topics include an introduction to petroleum geology, properties of reservoir rocks and petroleum fluids, inflow performance of vertical and horizontal wells. Wellbore hydraulics, well testing and well stimulation.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 210 or ME 215 or CE 225.
Note: Registration into this course is restricted to undergraduate students registered in the Chemical Engineering program. Undergraduate students registered in other disciplines must obtain permission from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering to register in this course.

This course covers two parts. The first part will cover coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, precipitation and filtration, membrane processes, electrophoresis and electrodialysis and chromatography of biomaterials and bioproducts. The second part will cover dehydration and systems, particle size reduction techniques of solid biomaterials, densification and extrusion of ground biomaterials, refrigeration and freezing and systems for biomaterials and bioproducts.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 210.3, or ME 215.3, or CE 225.3, or permission of the department.

This course presents industrial applications of the fundamentals of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy. Local and Canadian processing plants for a variety of products are described and analyzed. The commodities are all Canadian. They have been selected geographically, with the first emphasis on Saskatchewan commodities: potash, uranium, gold and rare earths. Moving east, the course deals with nickel and lead/zinc in Manitoba. Moving west brings in coal and oil sands in Alberta, then copper and molybdenum in British Columbia. Finally, moving far east brings in iron ore from Quebec or Labrador. Safety, control and environmental engineering is covered.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 369

Visits to industrial plants.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: Student should take this course in third year. For information on course availability, please contact the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

Detailed design of an actual industrial chemical process or series of units including preparation of the engineering flow sheet, process simulation and optimization, plant energy and material balances, equipment sizing and design, plant layout, hazards, safety, environmental impacts, and economic analysis of the chemical process. Students will also employ project management skills to ensure timely completion of projects.

Weekly hours: 6 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 315, CHE 324, and CHE 326.
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CHE 411 and CHE 423.

Offered occasionally to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours

Focuses on the theoretical aspects and important industrial applications of heterogeneous catalysis and the information needed to work with solid catalysts in the laboratory, pilot plant, and commercial installations. It also provides some perspective on the chemical and mathematical aspects that must be considered in reactor design.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): CHE 411.

Chemical engineering students learn the fundamentals regarding the microorganisms and their industrial applications. Metabolic regulations, enzymatic and biochemical reaction are covered. Batch and continuous fermentations, design of bioreactors, aeration, mixing, sterilization and down stream processing are discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: Students with credit for CHE 461 will not receive credit for this course.

This course is intended for in-depth study of theoretical fundamentals in the context of their application in advanced industrial mineral processing. Both physical and chemical separation processes for the extraction of minerals from their resources are particular focuses. An introduction to process modeling, safety/control, and environmental aspects are also covered.

Topics will include: Heterogeneous catalysis, non-ideal flow through reactors, non-catalytic gas-solid reactors and fixed and fluidized bed catalytic reactors.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

Examines the methods of process engineering used to achieve the best overall processing systems and includes; synthesis of processing alternatives; structure of process system; process economics; optimization applications and methods; engineering in the presence of uncertainty; simulation approach to difficult processing situations; problem assignments; involving class discussion, with special emphasis on a knowledge of chemical processes. Process safety and hazard analysis will also be discussed. A term paper will be required.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for CHE 325 will not receive credit for this course.

Designed to provide students with fundamental information regarding air and water pollution problems. Procedures for the design of air pollution control systems and wastewater treatment plants are covered. Regulation and legislation associated with air and water pollutions are discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for CHE 454.3 will not receive credit for this course.

Transport is one of the fundamental subjects in chemical engineering. This course is intended to prepare students to understand and solve a wider variety of problems encountered in research and literature. The course will cover theories and practical problems related to mass transfer, energy transfer, and momentum transfer in one-dimension and three-dimension domains.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate training in fluid mechanics, mechanics, reaction engineering and kinetics, permission of the instructor.

Focuses on the processes that produce chemicals and/or energy from renewable resources and the associated environmental issues. The fundamental principles and the highlights of research frontiers are introduced. Students will study the basic processes such as gasification, pyrolysis, catalytic conversions and synthesis, and chemical energy production using renewable feedstock.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

Catalytic processes are essential and crucial to chemical, energy and environmental industries. The manufacture of catalysts itself is also an important production sector. Catalyst development is the key in these areas and new catalysts will allow more efficient production processes and invention of new products. All these will rely on comprehensive and in-depth understanding of catalyst properties and catalytic reaction mechanism. Synchrotron radiation and its use in material characterization and in situ catalytic reaction investigation is the powerful and exceptional tool to facilitate this understanding.

Supervised investigation into selected aspects of advanced chemical engineering topics. This may take the form of assigned readings and seminars.

Weekly hours: 3 Tutorial hours

Supervised investigation into selected aspects of advanced chemical engineering topics. This may take the form of assigned readings and seminars.

Papers and discussions on recent developments in chemical engineering. Graduate students are required to attend these meetings for the duration of their program. Every graduate student is expected to present a seminar related to their research or project at some time before they receive the graduate degree. MSc/MEng students are required to present one time while PhD students are required to present twice at the department seminar.

Students taking the non-thesis Master's degree (M.Eng.) must register in this course. It consists of independent study and investigation of a real world problem, and submission of an acceptable report on the problem studied.

Restriction(s): Open to students in the Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Chemical Engineering program.

Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.

Students writing a Ph.D. thesis must register for this course.