CHE354

Transport Processes (Unit Operations I)

UNIQUE NUMBER: 15090
Spring 2021

Lecture: MWF 12n – 1pm; Online (CPE 2.216)

Recitation: W 1pm-2pm; Online (CPE 2.218)

Instructor: Brian Dinsmoor Office Hours: After class and by appt.

Office: Online (CPE 3.458) Email: bdinsmoor@che.utexas.edu Phone: 281 455 6570

TA: Tanner Wilcoxson, tannerwilcoxson@utexas.edu, Office hour: TBD

Grader: (TBD)

Tutor: (TBD)

University Catalog Course Description

Design and analysis of heat exchangers, fluid-flow systems and equipment, and interphase-
contact devices. Three lecture hours and one recitation hour a week for one semester.
Chemical engineering majors must make a grade of at least C- in this course.
Prerequisite: Chemical Engineering 319 (or 353) with a grade of at least C-.

Extended Description
The course covers analysis and design of heat transfer equipment, fluid flow equipment and
some interphase contacting devices. This course serves to integrate the fundamental concepts
learned in ChE 319/353 and 317 with practical chemical engineering problems and commercial
applications. Key objectives of this course are to enhance problem definition and problem
solving skills of the student, and to improve the student’s ability to make calculations and
obtain correct final answers. Process safety concepts are also introduced. Students should
begin developing a tool-kit for commercial and other practical problems.

What Should I Already Know?

• The catalog lists ChE 319/353 as a prerequisite. The course relies heavily on the mass,
momentum, heat and energy balance equations developed in 319/353 and 317. Some
spreadsheet experience from ChE 210 will be very useful for some problems.
• Familiarity with units and conversion from one unit system to another is needed. Ability
to work exclusively in assigned unit systems (SI and fps) without converting to other
systems is beneficial. Some industry specific measures are introduced.
• Ability to perform macroscopic mass and energy balances under steady state and
dynamic conditions (from ChE 210, ChE 317 and 319/353).
• Familiarity with equations of state, particularly the ideal gas law (from ChE 317).
• Familiarity with concepts of enthalpy, work, heat and other thermodynamic quantities
(from ChE 317).
 • Knowledge of the fundamentals of transport phenomena including familiarity with the
equations used to describe momentum and heat transfer, an understanding of
dimensionless groups, and the ability to derive momentum and energy balance
equations (from ChE 319/353).

Main knowledge and skills to be developed

• Familiarity with the methods used to analyze and design fluid flow and fluid processing
equipment, heat transfer equipment, and some interphase contacting devices as well as
some of the operating characteristics.
• Recognition of the challenges of designing processing equipment for compressible fluids
and the ability to use the governing equations in flow and processing applications.
• The ability to analyze and size piping networks, valves, pumps, compressors and flow
meters.
• The ability to determine heat transfer coefficients and the ability to size and rate heat
exchangers.
• The ability to apply the principles of momentum and heat transport to the analysis of a
wide range of processing equipment including evaporators, separation equipment,
fluidized beds, and chemical reactors.
• Introduction to the topic of safety in the chemical process industries including topics
related to process equipment design and operation.
• An improved ability to identify, extract, and resolve in a timely manner problems and
opportunities embedded in a scenario that includes the technical content of this course.

ABET Undergraduate Program Outcomes:

The objective of the chemical engineering degree program is to prepare students for
professional practice after they earn the bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree. While
many of the program outcomes are touched on in ChE 354, the major identified outcomes
are:
• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying
principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs
with consideration for public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural,
social, environmental, and economic factors.

Planned Course Major Topics

1. Forces with static and flowing fluids

2. Flow of incompressible fluids
3. Flow of compressible fluids
4. Design of fluid flow equipment
5. Flow past objects
6. Conductive heat transfer
7. Convective heat transfer
8. Radiation heat transfer
 9. Heat transfer equipment design

How Will We Learn?

Attendance in lecture and recitation is encouraged, but not required. However, missing
assignments and quizzes will hurt grade performance and mastery of the material.
• Class lecture time will be used to answer questions from the provided Canvas lectures
and assigned readings (mostly MSH textbook), emphasize important concepts, expand
on some assigned material, and work example problems. The better the student
preparation in advance, the better the class discussion, and the better the learning
experience.
• This course begins the switch from “plug-n-play” equation solutions to more realistic
questions and scenarios one encounters in later engineering practice. Lecture
PowerPoints include many drawings and pictures of equipment to help link theory with
the physical.
• Some assigned problems may be presented by students during class time.
Unannounced reading and application quizzes may also be used to test preparedness
and understanding of assigned material. There will be Canvas Quizzes following many
lectures to help assure successful assimilation of the content under realistic time
pressure. Together, these constitute the “McKetta Moments” part of the grade and are
important for the successful development of one’s professional skills as much as
listening to the “sage on the stage” and taking exams. The advanced preparation this
requires results in better questions being brought to class lecture time.
• Recitation will usually be conducted by the TA and will focus on problems plus any
needed clarification of difficult concepts. Some example problems will be worked out in
detail since lecture time is not usually sufficient for that. The TA and the Tutor will
provide homework help in addition to the instructor office hours after class.
• Regular homework assignments will include more realistic and difficult problems than
what is worked in exams and in lecture. As an application class, assignments not only
help stretch technical competence, but introduce some of the pressures and ambiguities
of real world experiences. Some related problem content is introduced by
supplemental explanations and is considered part of the course reading/lecture
material. It is impossible to include meaningful problems in all the topic areas prior to
the exam over the material. So, working through other examples and provided
problems is encouraged prior to exams. Some spreadsheet work is required. Group
discussion of homework approaches is encouraged for learning. However, copying a
group result is not acceptable. Each student should independently setup and solve the
assigned problems. Failure to regularly try this in advance of study group work has been
an obvious and important limitation to learning and later exam success. Posted
homework keys can help with learning solution methods and correct conversions and
calculations.
• Basic lecture content is provided in the textbook and in online PowerPoints and simple
lecture narrations. These are for use and review by students at any time until the end of
the course. Course content in the Canvas Files folder include assignments, basic lecture
content, worked out example problems, summaries of mid-term exam results, typical
exam questions, and homework keys. With the online version of the course, class
 lecture time material is also made available through Zoom recordings for playback at
later times. Canvas announcements are commonly used. The starting course calendar
is appended to this syllabus. Separate updates of the calendar will be posted as needed
during the semester. Check the calendar postings to keep up to date with assignments.
Since the core lecture material and example problems are online, there are the tools to
keep up with class progress and to make-up for any missed class days. There is also
ample supplemental help available with the tutor, TA, and instructor. Having this
material available has allowed students to adequately progress even when significant
lecture absences have been required.
• A useful learning experience for some students is working out exam problems that were
missed. The instructor will review with students their work to correct errors.

Required Materials
McCabe, Smith, Harriott, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, 7th Edition. McGraw-Hill,
2005.

Required Devices/Software

A good scientific calculator will be useful for completing homework and exams. The TI-
nSpire CX CAS is a popular one for students. Chemical Engineering students are required
to have a laptop at their disposal and there will be some assignments that require
spreadsheet solutions. The Solver add-in is an especially convenient tool. For the online
course version, it has been found that students need adequate hardware and network
capabilities to have good video resolution and download/upload reliability. An ability to
scan completed assignments, convert to PDF files, and upload to Canvas is needed.

Assessment
Assessment of your learning will be based on exams, quizzes/participation, and homework
assignments.
1. Homework Assignments
Homework gives the student a chance to practice concepts learned in class. Most of these
are more challenging application problems. Homework will generally be due at the
beginning of the specified lecture period (usually a week from assigned date). Late
homework will not be accepted without prior approval and can have some deductions for
being later. Homework is a form of communication; thus, your homework must be neatly
presented in reasonable chemical engineering format. Although it is not planned with the
online course version, if a written submission is required, staple homework pages together
so pages will not get lost or mixed up. Write on one side of the sheet with clear boxed or
bracketed answers. To turn in, fold papers vertically and put name and assignment on the
outside. Grades can be reduced for work that is hard to follow logically or not legible by the
graders at the time of grading. For typical online submissions, scan your completed
homework pages and submit as required (including file name) in a single PDF file.

Homework must be worked out individually, but you are encouraged to be in a study group
to discuss and set up the problems. Take advantage of the considerable help available for
 homework. Homework problems are graded with more of an emphasis on properly setting
up and working problem steps rather than a final numerical result. However, as an
application class one should be developing the habits to produce correct numerical results.
Key intermediate calculations and results need to be shown. Qualitative questions must be
answered with explanations showing appropriate understanding.

2. Quizzes/Participation (McKetta Moments)

There may be unannounced reading and simple application quizzes during some of the
lecture periods. Grades are right or wrong with some minimal credit for being present in
class and taking the quiz. One must practice getting correct numerical answers to prepare
for the real world. There is no partial credit for an almost right answer that costs your
company money, increases environmental emissions, or prevents an employee from having
a safe work day. With the online course there may be few or none of these.
Typically, students are called on to present assigned lecture problems once a semester.
These are opportunities to show understanding of the material and make effective short
presentations. Both of these are evaluated for determining a successful participation grade.
The participation grade is at most a “tie-breaker” for gap selection in the gap grading
system. If a student is not called on to present a problem, then there can be no effect on
the student’s grade. For the online course version, there may be fewer or no individual
presentations.
The last part of the Quiz grade is the Canvas Quizzes that are mostly simple problems and
calculations to test basic understanding of the material and calculation success. The grading
is the same as for the unannounced quizzes above. Typically, 2 or 3 low quiz grades are
dropped to allow for absences. Consequently, there are no makeups for quiz grades. To
ease the pressure on exams for the online course version, the McKetta Moments is a larger
portion of the final course grade and exams less of a portion than what has been used
historically.

2. Exams
There will be two mid-term exams during the semester covering the first two parts of the
course as noted in the calendar. The final exam will cover part three of the course and also
include problems from parts 1 and 2. Exams test both retention of concepts and facts and
the ability to apply problem-solving skills. While the core concepts are likely the same, the
problems are easier than homework problems. “Equation shopping” obviously occurs, but
concept and mini-problem questions may be used to test underlying knowledge behind the
equation and the physical phenomena that occur. Test material will be extracted from all
the course content and assignments.
Exam problems are graded with more of an emphasis on properly setting up and working
problem steps rather than a final numerical result. Key intermediate calculations and
results need to be shown. Qualitative questions must be answered with explanations
showing appropriate understanding. History shows that the best results are obtained by
working a problem in the core unit system of the problem statement, typically, SI or fps.
Answers need to be reported in the core input units of the problem statement or as
requested.
The exams are open-book and open-notes using this course Canvas posted material and the
student’s own written material for the course during the semester. Not permitted are:
 copies of prior semester materials; solution manuals; copies of the work of other students;
other reference works such as vendor calculation guides and exam service print-outs of
problems; electronic devices pre-programmed with formulas; or, devices that can take
pictures or communicate with another person. Other restrictions may apply. More
specific guidance is provided at exam time.
Mid-Term Exam dates are noted in the course calendar. The final exam schedule is fixed by
the University (currently May 15). As part of registration, students are responsible for their
own semester plans that allow taking their finals. Some example exam questions are
posted in Canvas.

For an intermediate assessment, there will be generated a “mid-term letter grade” based on
class results through the second mid-term exam. Numerical scores and pseudo-letter grades
will be posted in Canvas so that students can have some understanding of their success in the
course prior to about the last third of the course content and final exam. Depending on the
academic calendar, this “mid-term grade” may be available before the last Q-drop day.

Regrade requests will be accepted up to one week after an assignment, quiz, or exam return.
While a specific problem may be of interest, the whole assignment, quiz, or exam is subject to
regrading. The graders not being able to follow solution steps or finding clearly indicated
answers is not itself a justification for regrading.

Absence Policy: An excuse for a missed exam or homework may require a medical excuse or
letters written on university letterhead for UT-related school activities. UT Austin policy is that
you inform instructors of pending absences for religious holy days at least fourteen days prior
to the date of observance. If you must miss an exam or homework to observe a religious holy
day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time
after the absence. You can turn homework assignments in early, or for any paper submissions,
have a classmate turn them in for you at the assigned time. Sometimes absences can occur on
short notice. Notify the instructor by email or phone when circumstances arise for such
unexpected absences.

Grades: Numerical grade scores will be determined as follows:

Homework 15%
Quizzes/Participation 20%
(McKetta Moments)
Mid-Term Exams (2) 40%

Final Exam 25%

The final numerical score can include adjustments to the raw Canvas score such as drops of
low quiz results and any bonus problem credits. The resulting final numerical score is posted
to Canvas. Default Canvas gradebook totals are not useful. The final numerical distribution of
scores will be subject to a gap grading division into letter grades with the use of plus/minus
grading as warranted. Because of the timing to submit final letter grades to the Registrar,
there is no time for student review of the final exam. As a result, the final exams for students
at proposed letter grade gaps will be automatically regraded prior to producing the final
submitted letter grade. The final exams are not returned but kept by the instructor into the
next semester as a record of mastery of the course material.

University Policies and Resources [Instructor’s note – the links below and some text were
provided for use in a standardized UT syllabus template. It was noted at one point that
some links were not working.]

Q Drop Policy: If you want to drop a class after the 12th class day, you’ll need to execute a Q
drop before the Q-drop deadline, which typically occurs near the middle of the semester. Under
Texas law, you are only allowed six Q drops while you are in college at any public Texas
institution. For more information, see:
http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/csacc/academic/adddrop/qdrop

Academic Integrity: The University has a strict policy on academic integrity. Any form of
plagiarism or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in ChE 354. If you have any questions,
please consult the websites below:
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/clubmed/plgrism_cit.html
In particular, students are obliged to follow the Student Honor Code that states “As a student
of The University of Texas at Austin, I shall abide by the core values of the University and
uphold academic integrity.” Failure to comply with the University’s policy will result in severe
consequences. In the Instructor’s 354 classes the most common types of academic dishonesty
that have resulted in students failing themselves are letting others use or see their work when
not appropriate, the use of such work by others, and using banned resources during exams.

Sharing of Course Materials is Prohibited: No materials used in this class, including, but not
limited to, lecture postings and hand-outs, videos, assessments (quizzes, exams, papers,
projects, homework assignments), in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem
sets, may be shared online or with anyone outside of the class unless you have my explicit,
written permission. Unauthorized sharing of materials promotes cheating. It is a violation of
the University’s Student Honor Code and an act of academic dishonesty. I am well aware of the
sites used for sharing materials, and any materials found online that are associated with you,
or any suspected unauthorized sharing of materials, will be reported to Student Conduct and
Academic Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students. These reports can result in sanctions,
including failure in the course.
Class Recordings: Class recordings are reserved only for students in this class for educational
purposes and are protected under FERPA. The recordings should not be shared outside the
class in any form. Violation of this restriction by a student could lead to Student Misconduct
proceedings.

Student Accommodations: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request

appropriate academic adjustments for qualified students with disabilities. For more
information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (512) 471-6259, (512) 471-4641 TTY
or the College of Engineering Director of Students with Disabilities at (512) 471-4321. Division
of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, (512) 471-
6259, http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/

Important Safety Information: If you have concerns about the safety or behavior of fellow
students, TAs or Professors, call BCAL (the Behavior Concerns Advice Line): (512) 232-5050.
Your call can be anonymous. If something doesn’t feel right – it probably isn’t. Trust your
instincts and share your concerns.

The following are recommendations regarding emergency evacuation from the Office of
Campus Safety and Security, (512) 471-5767, http://www.utexas.edu/safety/

Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to evacuate
buildings when an alarm or alert is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires
exiting and assembling outside, unless told otherwise by an official representative.
• Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy.
Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the
building.
• Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during
the first week of class.
• In the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors. Do
not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire
Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention
Services office.
• A link to information regarding emergency evacuation routes and
emergency procedures can be found at: www.utexas.edu/emergency.

COVID-19 Guidance: Although this class is planned to be online all semester, students as well
as faculty and staff need to follow UT procedures and actions as they evolve during the
semester. To help keep everyone at UT and in our community safe, it is critical that students
report COVID-19 symptoms and testing, regardless of test results, to University Health
Services. As done prior to COVID in this class, for extended illness or injury that results in
challenges keeping up with class work, contact the instructor about any such limitations for
the development of appropriate adjustments and accommodations.
Title IX Reporting
Title IX is a federal law that protects against sex and gender-based discrimination, sexual
harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence and stalking at
federally funded educational institutions. UT Austin is committed to fostering a learning and
working environment free from discrimination in all its forms. When sexual misconduct occurs
in our community, the university can:
1. Intervene to prevent harmful behavior from continuing or escalating.
2. Provide support and remedies to students and employees who have
experienced harm or have become involved in a Title IX investigation.
3. Investigate and discipline violations of the university’s relevant policies.

Beginning January 1, 2020, Texas Senate Bill 212 requires all employees of Texas universities,
including faculty, report any information to the Title IX Office regarding sexual harassment,
sexual assault, dating violence and stalking that is disclosed to them. Texas law requires that all
employees who witness or receive any information of this type (including, but not limited to,
writing assignments, class discussions, or one-on-one conversations) must be reported. I am a
Responsible Employee and must report any Title IX related incidents that are disclosed in
writing, discussion, or one-on-one. Before talking with me, or with any faculty or staff member
about a Title IX related incident, be sure to ask whether they are a responsible employee. If you
would like to speak with someone who can provide support or remedies without making an
official report to the university, please email advocate@austin.utexas.edu. For more
information about reporting options and resources, visit http://www.titleix.utexas.edu, contact
the Title IX Office via email at titleix@austin.utexas.edu, or call 512-471-0419.

University Resources for Students: The University has numerous resources for students to
provide assistance and support for your learning
• Sanger Learning and Career Center: www.utexas.edu/ugs/slc
• University Writing Center: http://uwc.utexas.edu/
• ITS: http://www.utexas.edu/its/
• Counselling and Mental Health Center:
http://www.cmhc.utexas.edu/individualcounseling.html
• Student Emergency Services: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/
• Libraries: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/
• Canvas: https://utexas.instructure.com/courses/633028/pages/student-tutorials
ChE 354 Unit Operations I McKetta Dept of Chemical Engineering
Professor Brian Dinsmoor University of Texas at Austin
Spring 2021 Unique Number – 15090

Class Calendar Rev 0:

Date Day Lecture Reading Assignment Topic
No.
1-20 W 0 Syllabus/ Canvas Intro to Course, Objectives, Policies
1-22 F 1 MSH Ch. 1 & 2 Statics principles and Units
1-25 M 2 Statics Problems
1-27 W 3A MSH Ch. 3 & 4 Basics of fluid flow - Momentum
1-29 F 3B Momentum/Force balances cont’d
2-1 M 4 Incompressible flow – Energy
2-3 W 5 MSH Ch. 5 Incompressible flow – Conduit Flow
2-5 F 6 Piping and fittings
2-8 M 7 MSH Ch. 8 excl fans-compressors Valves and control of fluids
2-10 W 8 Control and metering of fluids
2-12 F 9 Pumps and pump selection
2-15 M 10 Pumps – NPSH and pump curves
2-17 W Exam Review Exam #1 Review
2-17 W Exam #1– 8-10 p.m.

2-19 F 11 Non-Newtonian and viscous flow

2-22 M 12 Special Flow Topics, Two Phase Flow
2-24 W 13 MSH Ch. 6 Compressible flow principles
2-26 F 14 Compressible flow, high Mach
3-1 M 15 MSH Ch. 8 fans-compressors Compressors, Types & Principles
3-3 W 16 Compressors, Operation & Mechanical
3-5 F 17 Flow and compressor problems
3-8 M 18-19 MSH Ch. 7 Flow around immersed objects
3-10 W 20-21A Fixed and fluid beds
3-12 F 21B Flow Problems
3/15-20 M-S Spring Break
3-22 M 23 MSH Ch. 9 Mixing & Dispersion
3-24 W Exam Review Exam #2 Review
3-24 W Exam #2– 8-10 p.m.

3-26 F 22a Special Fluid Problems. Course reset

3-29 M 24 MSH Ch. 10 Intro to heat transfer & Conduction
3-31 W 25 Conduction & Convection SS
4-2 F 26 Conduction & Convection nSS
4-5 M 27 MSH Ch. 11 {last Q-drop day} Convection C-Pipe & LMTD
4-7 W 28 MSH Ch. 12 Convection I – Single Phase
4-9 F 29 MSH Ch. 13a Convection II – Condensing
4-12 M 30 MSH Ch. 13b Convection III – Boiling
4-14 W 31 MSH Ch. 15 S&T HX’s – Fouling, Corrected ΔT
4-16 F 32 S&T HX’s – Mechanical, Shell-side Calcs
4-19 M 33A MSH Ch. 14 Intro to Radiation
4-21 W 33B Radiation problems
4-23 F Radiation problems, equipment
4-26 M 34 Other HT Equipment
4-28 W 35A HT Systems & Networks
4-30 F 35B
 5-3 M 36 MSH Ch. 16 skim Evaporation & Recompression Intro
5-5 W Course Summary & Evaluation Course Summary, Instructor Eval
5-7 F Exam #3 and Final Reviews Exam Review + Office Hour
5-15 S #3 & FINAL EXAM – 9a-12n
5-18 T Grades to Registrar

Note: It is usually necessary to make changes to the course schedule. Students will be
informed in class and/or via Canvas of any changes to the lecture or assignment schedule.
Students are responsible for any announced changes (e.g., absence from the class in which the
announcement is made is not an excuse).