Duration
10h Th, 90h Proj.
Number of credits
| Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical and Materials Engineering | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The theoretical course consist in about 10h theoretical lectures presenting the basics of economic analysis, with a focus on industrial processes. Then, in the project hours, students work in group to perform a techno-economic evaluation of a process usually selected among two choices:
- One process designed in the framework of the integrated project PROJ0012 in the previous academic year
- One process answering to the European Student Contest Problem published each year by the Eurecha Association, under the auspices of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering, Working Party dedicated to Computers Aided Chemical Engineering:
https://www.wp-cape.eu/index.php/student-contest-problem/
In the theoretical lectures, methods for the evaluation of capital expenditures and operational expenditures of a process will be presented. Different methods are proposed, depending on the accuracy that is required. In particular, the method of similarities is used for scale-up and scale-out costing. The bare module cost method is used for estimating the cost of a new production line based on its equipment (heat exchangers, pumps, reactors...). Thumb rules are given for a first approximation of utility costs (cost of electricity, steam, natural gas...) as well as other operational costs (labor force, consumables, loans...). The results of the cost evaluation are exploited to produce a cash-flow diagram of the project. Concepts of interest rate, depreciation, discounting and levelized costs... are presented.
In the project, students will apply the theoretical concepts to evaluate a techno-economic evaluation of a selected process. They will first design a process flowsheet (possibly adapt an existing one) and develop a simulation model for the selected process. This will lead them to design its main equipment with respect to size, flowrates and energy requirements. Then, they will evaluate the equipment costs using the bare module method, and they will calculate the operational costs. Finally, they will propose a first profitablity analysis of the project and discuss about the opportunity of realizing it. The final results will be reported following high-level scientific communication standards and may be submitted to the Eurecha Student Contest Problem.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The goal of the lecture is to promote the acquisition of basic knowledge and skills in the field of process design and techno-economic analysis, with a focus set on industrial processes. Technical skills are also consolidated through the modelling approach and applied to a selected case study. Soft skills are also used through group work, project management and possible interactiosn with external experts.
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
- Design and/or adapt a process flowsheet for a selected industrial process, including equipment sizing and choice of operating conditions
- Evaluate the cost of the required equipment, as well as the process utilities (energy, water, ...) and perform a techno-economic analysis of the project, including profitability analysis
- Manage a process design project in the framework of a European Student Contest (if this option is selected by students, otherwise it restrains to the management of a process design and evaluation project)
- Use their powers of judgment as engineers in order to work with complex and possibly incomplete information, to recognise discrepancies and to deal with them
- Recognise the need for information, to identify efficient sources for valid information and to collect information from these sources
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.2, II.1, II.2, II.3, III.1, III.2, IV.1, IV.3, IV.4, V.1, V.3, VI.1, VI.2, VI.3, VI.4, VII.1, VII.2, VII.4 of the MSc in chemical and material science engineering.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basics of chemical engineering (transport phenomena, chemical thermodynamics, physical unit operation design, catalysis, process modelling and design...) are required. All these skills can be acquired within the Master in Chemical Engineering and Materials science, at the University of Liège. Students from other master programmes willing to attend the class may contact G. Léonard for admission to the class.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The lecture will consist in 10h theoretical classes and 90h of project. On-demand mentoring will be offered for the project part.
At the end of the project, a 15-page report (including figures, but not annexes) will be delivered. After receiving feed-back of the professor on their report, students will have to submit a corrected version of their report.
If relevant, this report may be considered for submission to the EURECHA student contest, organized within the framework of the Europen Federation of Chemical Engineering, Working party on Computer aided process engineering. See also
https://www.wp-cape.eu/index.php/student-contest-problem/
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Theoretical classes (possibility of presentations by academic and industrial experts), written and oral feedback on deliverables, office hours.
Recommended or required readings
Lecture materials will be uploaded on e-campus.
Other literature :
- R. Turton et al, Analysis, Synthesis and Design of Chemical Processes, Prentice Hall 2013, ISBN 0-13-570565-7
- A. Chauvel et al, Manuel d'évaluation économique des procédés, Editions Technip 2001, ISBN 2-7108-0796-3
Written work / report
Additional information:
The assessment is based on the written report delivered at the end of the project.
A second session may be organized, in which case students must submit the corrected report by August 25th.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Group work, organised during the first semester. Report submission in December.
Final report must be delivered by December 31, 23.59. In case of second session, final report must be delivered by August 25, 23.59.
First class timetable: See Celcat calendar.
Contacts
Prof. Grégoire Léonard, B6a 0.68. g.leonard@uliege.be