ABSTRACT
The next five chapters, collectively, provide an outline of the basic concepts and principles of chemical and biomolecular engineering (ChBE) practice.
Chapter 4 Basic concepts: Chemical processes and unit operations
Chemical processes and unit operations
Conservation of mass and energy
Fluid flow
Chapter 5 – Basic concepts – Equilibrium and rate processes
Thermodynamics
Transport of mass, heat, and momentum
Chapter 6 – Basic concepts – Separation processes and other unit operations
Separation processes and other unit operations
Chapter 7 – Basic concepts – Dynamics and control of chemical reactions and processes
Chemical and biomolecular synthesis, catalysis, and reaction engineering
Process dynamics and control
Chapter 8 – Basic concepts – Creation and stewardship of the sustainable process plant
Synthesis of chemical and biomolecular processes
Process and plant design
Green engineering and process safety management (PSM)
Operational discipline
Unified supply chain management
Individually and together, these key principles enable the rigorous analysis of chemical processes, which further enables the design and operation of chemical process plants that employ chemical engineering principles to convert raw materials into intermediate and finished products. These essential concepts also help engineers to diagnose problems in operating process plants, and are also very useful in analyzing natural phenomena.
But if one should guide his life by true principles, man’s greatest riches is to live on a little with contented mind; for a little is never lacking. – Lucretius
As applied to chemical engineering practice – If one consistently applies best chemical engineering practices in one’s work, one can rest assured that the resulting process facilities can be designed, built, operated and maintained safely, with minimum damage to the environment.
