Chemical Engineering (Ch E)

www.public.iastate.edu/~ch_e/
Charles E. Glatz, Chair of Department
Distinguished Professors: Reilly, Seagrave
University Professors: Hill
Professors: Brown, Glatz, Jolls, Schrader, Shanks, Ulrichson, Youngquist
Professors (Collaborators): Nikolov
Distinguished Professors (Emeritus): Burnet, Doraiswamy
University Professors (Emeritus): Wheelock
Professors (Emeritus): Abraham, Boylan
Associate Professors: Fox, Hebert, Otaigbe, Rollins, Shanks
Associate Professors (Adjunct): Hanneman
Associate Professors (Emeritus): Collins
Assistant Professors: Mallapragada, Narasimhan, Vigil

Undergraduate Study

For undergraduate curriculum in chemical engineering leading to the degree bachelor of science, see College of Engineering, Curricula. This curriculum is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Chemical engineering is a profession which provides a link between scientific knowledge and manufactured products. The chemical engineer relies on science, experience, creativity, and ingenuity to produce these materials economically. Almost everything of a material nature used by society today has at some point felt the influence of the chemical engineer. From raw materials such as minerals, coal, petroleum, and agricultural products, chemical engineers create versatile intermediate and commodity chemicals, high performance fuels, new materials for construction, pharmaceuticals, high performance foodstuffs, synthetic textiles, plastics, solid state electronic components, and dozens of other engineered materials. The chemical engineer's influence has been important in the development of catalysts, fuel cells, automatic controls, biochemical processes, artificial kidneys, tissue engineering, nuclear energy, medical instruments and devices, as well as in the development of air and water pollution control systems. Many new and equally exciting challenges await the practicing chemical engineer of the future.

The profession of chemical engineering embraces a wide variety of activities including research, process development, product development, design, manufacturing supervision, technical sales, consulting, and teaching. The engineer can be behind a desk, in a laboratory, in a manufacturing plant, or engaged in nationwide and worldwide travel.

Successful chemical engineers find chemistry, mathematics, and physics to be interesting and exciting. Many chemical engineers also have interest in the biological sciences. The curriculum in chemical engineering includes continued study of chemistry, mathematics, and physics as well as intensive study in the engineering sciences such as chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, mass transfer, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, system analysis and process synthesis, and design.

The curriculum in chemical engineering is designed to produce graduates that have the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering; the ability to design, conduct and interpret experiments, and the ability to design a chemical engineering system, component, or process. Graduates should also have the ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams; the ability to identify, formulate, and solve chemical engineering problems; and the ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

The curriculum should also assure that graduates have the ability to communicate effectively, the broad education necessary to understand the impact of chemical engineering solutions in a global and societal context, and recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning, as well as a knowledge of contemporary issues and an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

The curriculum assures that graduates have a thorough grounding in chemistry, along with a working knowledge of advanced chemistry such as organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, materials chemistry, or biochemistry. In addition, a working knowledge, including safety and environmental aspects, of material and energy balances applied to chemical processes; thermodynamics of physical and chemical equilibria; heat, mass, and momentum transfer; chemical reaction engineering; continuous and stage-wise separation operations; process dynamics and control; process design; and appropriate modern experimental and computing techniques is assured.

A significant number of chemical engineering graduates should have an ability to function as engineers in an international setting, and an ability to pursue research and advanced studies in chemical engineering, or in related fields such as medicine, law, and business.

A cooperative education program is available to students in chemical engineering. See Cooperative Programs, College of Engineering.

Graduate Study

The department offers work for the degrees master of science, master of engineering, and doctor of philosophy with major in chemical engineering, and minor work to students taking major work in other departments.

Prerequisite to major graduate work is a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, or other related field. Students with undergraduate background other than chemical engineering should contact the department for further details.

The master of engineering degree requires a creative component. A thesis is required for the master of science degree.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: All 300 and 400 level courses except 302, 391, 392, 397, 398, 490, 492, 495, and 498.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

Ch E 202. Seminar
(1-0) Cr. R. S. Prereq: Sophomore classification in chemical engineering. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Ch E 210. Material and Energy Balances
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Chem 178, Math 166. Introduction to chemical processes. Physical behavior of gases, liquids, and solids. Application of material and energy balances to chemical engineering equipment and processes.

Ch E 298. Cooperative Education
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department chair. First professional work period in the cooperative education program. Students must register for this course before commencing work.

Ch E 302. Seminar
(1-0) Cr. R. S. Prereq: Junior classification in chemical engineering. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Ch E 325. Chemical Engineering Laboratory I
(0-4) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: 357, credit or enrollment in 381. Experiments covering fundamental material and energy balances, momentum and energy transport operations, thermodynamics. Computer applications. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 356. Transport Phenomena I
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 210, Phys 221, credit or enrollment in Math 267. Momentum and mechanical energy balances. Incompressible and compressible fluid flow. Applications to fluid drag, piping system design, filtration, packed beds and settling. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 357. Transport Phenomena II
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 356. Conduction and diffusion, convective heat and mass transfer, boiling and condensation, radiation, design of heat exchange equipment. Introduction to diffusion. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 358. Separations
(4-0) Cr. 4. F.S. Prereq: 357. Diffusion and mass transfer in fluids. Analysis and design of continuous contacting and multistage separation processes. Binary and multicomponent distillation, absorption, extraction, evaporation, membrane processes, and simultaneous heat and mass transfer. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 381. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Math 267, Phys 222, Chem 321. Application of thermodynamic principles to chemical engineering problems. Thermodynamic properties of fluids, phase equilibria, chemical reaction equilibria. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 382. Chemical Reaction Engineering
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 381, credit or enrollment in 357. Kinetics of chemical reactions; design of homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactors. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 391. Foreign Study
(1-0) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: 356, permission of instructor. Preparation for foreign study program. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only. Credit for graduation allowable only upon completion of 392.

Ch E 392. Foreign Study Program
Cr. 2-6. SS. Prereq: 391. Study of chemical engineering including laboratories and lectures at University College London or other collaborating international universities. Comparative study of U.S. and international manufacturing facilities. Expenses required. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Ch E 397. Engineering Internship
Cr. R. F.S. Prereq: Permission of department. One semester maximum per academic year professional work period.

Ch E 398. Cooperative Education
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: 298, permission of department chair. Second professional work period in the cooperative education program. Students must register for this course before commencing work .

Ch E 406. Environmental Chemodynamics
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 381, credit or enrollment in 358. Examines the mechanisms and rates of chemical transport across air, water, and soil interfaces. Applications of transport and thermodynamic fundamentals to movement of chemicals in the environment. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 410. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
(2-3) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 382 and Chem 331 or senior or graduate classification in chemistry or material science and engineering. Integration and synthesis of chemical engineering and chemistry as practiced in modern industry. Engineering of chemical reactions and processes. Processing routes and product engineering for commodity chemicals, petroleum-based fuels, petrochemicals, intermediates, specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and engineered materials. Environmental strategies for waste/by-product minimization and pollution prevention. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 415. Biochemical Engineering
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 357, 382 recommended, Chem 331. Application of basic chemical engineering principles in biochemical and biological process industries such as enzyme technology and fermentation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 421. Process Control
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 358, Math 267. Control of industrial chemical processes. Device applications and limitations. Dynamics of chemical process components and process control systems. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 426. Chemical Engineering Laboratory II
(0-4) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: 325, 358, 382. Experiments in heat and mass transfer, staged operations, chemical reactor performance, unit processes. Computer applications. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 430. Process and Plant Design
(2-6) Cr. 4. F.S. Prereq: 358, 382. Synthesis of chemical engineering processes, equipment and plants. Cost estimation and feasibility analysis. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 441. Modeling and Simulation for Chemical Processes
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 358, 382. Simulation of behavior of chemical processes, trial and error calculations, numerical integration and other numerical methods. Problems involving fluid flow, distillation, heat transfer, process control, and reactor design. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 443. Polymers and Polymer Engineering
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 357, Chem 331. Chemistry of polymers, addition and condensation polymerization. Physical and mechanical properties, polymer rheology, production methods. Applications of polymers in the chemical industry. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 470. Petroleum Production and Refining
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: Chem 178. Introduction to production and refining of petroleum and natural gas: origins and characterization; methods of exploration, production, transportation, and refining. Suitable for most advanced undergraduates and graduate students in the physical sciences and engineering. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ch E 490. Independent Study
(0-3 to 0-18) Cr. 1 to 6. Introduction to research methods; investigation of an approved topic.

                H. Honors

Ch E 492. International Technology and Globalization
(0-3 to 6-18) F.S.SS. Cr. 2-12. Technology and applied science within an international perspective. Investigation of global-oriented companies, research organizations, and international university environments. Independent study in preparation for or during internship program. Taken with attendance at cooperating international university.

Ch E 495. International Internship
Cr. R. F.S.SS. International professional work experience related to global strategic technology. Case studies and technical assessment of projects.

Ch E 498. Cooperative Education
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: 398, permission of department chair. Third and subsequent professional work periods in the cooperative education program. Students must register for this course before commencing work.

Ch E 499. Undergraduate Research
(0-9) Cr. 3. Prereq: Permission of department. Research in chosen area of chemical engineering, with final written report. Students are encouraged to elect this course for two consequetive semesters. For students majoring in chemical engineering. No more than 6 credits may be counted toward graduation.

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, open to qualified undergraduate students

Ch E 539. Fluidized Bed Processes (Same as M E 539.) See Mechanical Engineering.

Ch E 540. Biomedical Applications of Chemical Engineering (Same as B M E 540.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S. Prereq: 210, Math 266, Phys 222. Applications of material and energy balances, transport phenomena, chemical reaction engineering, and thermodynamics to problems in biomedical and biochemical engineering, applied physiology, and environmental studies.

Ch E 545. Analytical and Numerical Methods
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 358, Math 267. Analysis of equipment and processes by analytic and/or numerical solution of descriptive differential equations. Operational and series techniques, boundary value problems, numerical interpolation and approximation, integration techniques.

Ch E 552. Transport Phenomena I
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 357, 381, Math 267, credit or enrollment in 545. Equations of change for mass, energy, and momentum. Introduction to transport in multicomponent systems. Exact and approximate solutions to the equations of motion.

Ch E 553. Transport Phenomena II
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 552. Convective and radiative heat transfer, boiling, condensation, multicomponent diffusion, mass transfer models. High transfer rate effects. Simultaneous heat, mass, and momentum transfer.

Ch E 558. Advanced Mass Transfer Operations
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F. Prereq: 358. Analysis of chemical processes based on unit operations. Focus on mass transfer process interaction with momentum and heat transfer.

Ch E 562. Bioseparations
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2002. Prereq: 357 or advanced standing in a science major. Principles and techniques for separation and recovery of biologically-produced molecules, especially proteins. Relationship between the chemistry of biological molecules and efficient separation and preservation of biological activity. Includes centrifugation and filtration, membrane processing, extraction, precipitation and crystallization, chromatography, and electrophoresis.

Ch E 565. Processing of Solid State Materials
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 382. Application of chemical engineering principles in the semiconductor and related industries. Analysis of chemical and physical processes in materials fabrication.

Ch E 572. Turbulence (Same as Aer E 572.)
See Aerospace Engineering.

Ch E 583. Advanced Thermodynamics
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 381. Application of thermodynamic principles to chemical engineering problems. Thermodynamic properties of non-ideal fluids and solutions; phase and chemical-reaction equilibria/stability.

Ch E 587. Advanced Chemical Reactor Design
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 382. Analysis of complex reactions and kinetics. Fixed bed, fluidized bed, and other industrial reactors. Analysis and design of non-ideal flow mixing, and residence times. Heterogeneous reactors.

Ch E 590. Special Topics
Cr. 2 to 6 each time taken. Investigation of an approved topic on an individual basis.

Ch E 595. Special Topics
Cr. 2 or 3 each time taken. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

                A. Separations

                B. Advanced Control Theory

                C. Crystallization

                D. Thermodynamics

                E. Kinetics and Catalysis

                F. Transport Operations

                G. Bioengineering

                H. Chemical Engineering Instrumentation

                I. Materials

Ch E 599. Creative Component
Cr. var.

Courses for Graduate Students

Ch E 601. Seminar
(1-0) Cr. R. F.S. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Ch E 632. Multiphase Flow (Same as M E 632.)
See Mechanical Engineering.

Ch E 645. Advanced Calculation Methods for Chemical Engineers
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 545. Advanced analysis and design of equipment and processes requiring specialized mathematical techniques.

Ch E 652. Advanced Momentum Transport
(2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: 552. Advanced topics in momentum transport and fluid mechanics including study of recent literature.

Ch E 653. Advanced Mass Transport
(2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. F., offered 2002. Prereq: 553. Advanced topics in mass transport including study of recent literature.

Ch E 683. Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. SS. Prereq: 552, 583. Thermodynamics of irreversible processes including diffusion and sedimentation, electrochemical processes, muscle contraction, thermal diffusion, and membrane transport.

Ch E 688. Catalysis and Catalytic Processes
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: 382. Principles and applications of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. Adsorption. Reaction kinetics and mass transfer effects. Catalyst characterization. Industrial catalytic processes.

Ch E 690. Advanced Topics
Cr. var.

Ch E 699. Research