COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE SYLLABUS
Department of Chemical Engineering
Course Number: CHE416 Course Title: Chemical Reaction Engineering I
Semester: Omega Time: 3 Hours Contact Time per Week
Location: C37 Instructors: Dr. Ayeni A, Dr. Sanni S.E & Dr. Alagbe E
Course Unit: 3
(a) Course Overview and Description
• The fundamental principles and basic assumptions for the development of model equations for estimating
basic parameters of Ideal reactors are introduced herein. Design equations of the ideal reactors such as
batch, plug flow and continuous stirred tank reactors are derived, revised and used to design isothermal
reactors which are then compared with the model reactors from which they were formed. Reactor systems
in series and parallel are compared with single ideal reactors. Derivation and application of material and
energy balance equations are also taken into consideration in order for students to be able to adequately
comprehend, proffer solutions to design/engineering problems as well as assess reactors operating under
non-isothermal scenarios. Real and ideal reactors are compared and reasons for deviations from ideal
behaviours would be highlighted. Residence time distribution functions are introduced and used to explain
the deviations from ideal behaviour. Conversions for first and higher order reactions are predicted in real
reactors and other parameters such as reaction rate, volume, time and reactant concentration etc. would be
discussed.
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(b) Pre-requisites: Che326
(c) Status: Compulsory
(d) Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
understand the assumptions behind the formulation of the ideal reactor models i.e. batch, continuous stirred
tank reactors and plug flow reactor models (O1)

design and assess the performance of ideal reactors in isothermal operation (O2).

apply material and energy balance equations to design and assess the performance of reactors during non-
isothermal operations (O1-3).

compare and contrast ideal and real reactors as well as explain deviations from ideal behaviour (O1-2, 2.3)

understand the concept of residence time distribution functions (O4)

predict conversions in real reactors for first and higher order reactions (O4.1).

use combined reactor models to account for conversions and residual concentrations in real reactors (O2)
Key:

O1-7 are the objectives that the lessons/teachings the course is meant to meet as required/stated in the
general curriculum of ABET for students of engineering in tertiary institutions.
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(e) Expectations of Students
i. Attend three (3) hours of lectures per week.
ii. Turn in assignments as deemed fit by the instructors
iii. Complete continuous assessment which comprises of quizzes and mid-semester test
iv. Complete a three (3) hour comprehensive final examination at the end of the semester.
(f) Methods of Lecture Delivery/Teaching Aids
• Lecture Delivery Methods
Lecturing/Teaching Method
Educator-Student Interaction (Discussion method)
Problem-Based learning
Tutorials
• Teaching Aids
Visual Aids (Use of PowerPoint slides, Lecture templates-handouts)
Audio visual aids (Use of video players)
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(g) Course content or outline
• Topic Weeks
Module 1: 1-4

Ideal reactors –assumptions, reasons for their considerations and their

modes of operation 1

General material balance and design equations for ideal reactors 2

Estimating the performance of ideal reactors in isothermal operation 3

Performances of single versus combined ideal reactors at isothermal
conditions 4
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• Topic`
Weeks
Module 2: 4-7

Application of design equations for ideal reactors for multiple reactions in isothermal situation 4

Expression of enthalpy, heat of reaction and equilibrium constant as functions of temperature 4

Energy balance equations for ideal reactors 5

Steady state operation: energy balance and design equations for non-isothermal operations 5

Estimation of optimum reaction temperature for single and multiple reactions 6

Adiabatic operations of ideal reactors 6

Non-adiabatic operation of ideal reactors 7

Inter-stage heating /cooling operations in reactors and heat exchangers 7

Module 3: Weeks 8-10

Real reactors and deviations from perfect behaviour 8

Residence time distribution functions for ideal and real reactors, their relationships and estimation

of residence time distribution in reactors of interest 9

Residence time distribution functions of ideal and real reactors 10

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(h) Method of Grading Continuous Assessment
Continuous Assessment Test 1 - 15%
Continuous Assessment Test 2 (Mid-Semester Examination) - 15%
End of Semester Examination - 70%
(i) Tutorials
End of Week 4: Tutorial 1 (Moodle 1 & Moodle 2)
End of Week 7: Tutorial 2 (Moodle 4-7)
End of Week 10: Tutorial 3 (Moodle 8-10)
Week 11: End of Semester Tutorials
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(j) Assignments
• Assignments/Students Activities will be 30% of CA depending on the discovery made, questions arising
from class discussion and during lectures
(k) Contemporary Issues and Industrial Relevance
• Very relevant especially in the area of chemical processing
(l) Recommended Reading Textbooks
Coker, A. K. Modeling of Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design, Gulf Publishing Company, Houston,
Texas, 2001.
Levenspiel, O., Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd edition, John Wiley and Sons, New York 1999.

Fogler, H. S., Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, 4th edition, Prentice-Hall, International, 2006.

Nauman, E.B., Chemical Reactor Design, Optimization, and Scale up, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2002.

Upadhyay, S.K., Chemical Kinetics and Reaction Dynamics, Co-published by Springer, Spring Street, New
York, USA and Anamaya Publishers, New Delhi, India, 2006.