• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

Transport Phenomena

Module description

The understanding of transport phenomena in chemical processes is fundamental to the ability to effectively design efficient chemical operations. The module will cover molecular diffusion, convection and mass transfer including how these can be calculated and controlled in chemical processes. The principle that a quantity being considered must adhere to a continuity equation and its response to stimuli can be calculated using a constitutive equation such as the Navier-Stokes equations will be introduced. The module will explore fluid flow and interactions between multi-phase systems (gas/liquid, liquid/liquid, solid/liquid). Heat transfer during unit processes and energy recovery using heat exchange systems will be considered and the way an understanding of transport phenomena is incorporated into plant design will be studied. Transport phenomena will be observed in a practical component of the module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In this module you will understand how the key processes of diffusion, convection, evaporation and other transport phenomena effect and can be utilised in chemical engineering processes. The principles of conservation of mass/energy and momentum and how these are affected by changing external factors will be explored using various theoretical and at least one practical case studies.

The various ways heat and energy are transferred through chemical engineering systems will be explained, and the ways this can be calculated, measured and utilised in unit operations and integrations will be explained in both lectures and lab experiments.

Phase transitions will be discussed and explored as part of a case study and laboratory experiments to quantify the energy requirements of phase changes will be undertaken.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Understand the thermodynamic and transport properties of fluids, solids and multiphase systems;
• 2. Understand the principles of equilibrium and chemical thermodynamics, and application to phase behaviour, to systems with chemical reaction and to processes with heat and work transfer;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Understand the principles of momentum, heat and mass transfer and application to problems involving fluids and multiple phases;
• 4. Understand the principles of material and energy balances and be able to apply them to chemical engineering problems;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Understand the commercial, economic and social context of engineering processes;
• 6. Take a systems approach to design appreciating: complexity; interaction; integration;

Syllabus plan

Overview – What are transport phenomena?

Heat Transfer
- Heat transfer units
- Fourier’s Law
- Conduction
- Convection
- Advection
- Radiation
- Phase transitions
- Heat transfer labs and case studies - heat and phase transitions example - calorimetrics

Mass transfer
- Diffusion
- Concentration
- Velocity
- Flux
- Fick’s Laws
- Gas phase diffusion
- Diffusion in liquids
- Surface diffusion
- Diffusion labs and case studies – measuring diffusion example - colourimetrics

Convection
- Convective mass transfer and the density gradient
- Mass transfer coefficient

Mechanical Momentum
- reminder of the analogue between thermal transport, mass transfer and mechanical momentum as this is covered in other modules – restatement of Newton’s fluid law
- Non-Newtonian fluid considerations

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Reassessment will be by a single written exam only worth 100% of the module. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 40%. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• G. Towler, R. Sinnott, Chemical Engineering Design – Principles, Practice and Economics of Plant and Process Design, Third Edition, Elsevier, 2022.
• B. K, Dutta, Principles of Mass Transfer and Separation Processes. PHI Learning, 2023. 

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE