CHE4173 - Sustainable processing 2

Overview

This unit focuses on strategies for enhanced industrial ecology to drive sustainable resource use and minimise waste in process industries. Topics include heat integration, water integration and recycling of process streams to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and mitigate ecological impacts. You will examine waste generation and minimisation in reactors and separation processes, pollution mechanisms and effects, emissions management, and the roles of regulatory and economic drivers in cleaner production. These themes will be developed in lectures and be supported by student project work on selected industrial processes, applying ecological principles to sustainable process design.

Offerings

S1-01-CLAYTON-ON-CAMPUS

S1-01-MALAYSIA-ON-CAMPUS

Requisites

Prerequisite

Rules

Enrolment Rule

Contacts

Chief Examiner(s)

Dr Priya Samudrala

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Irene Chew Mei Leng

Dr Priya Samudrala

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

Apply heat integration principles, including pinch analysis and heat exchanger network design, to improve energy efficiency in integrated processes.

Design strategies for water integration, including process modifications, treatment, and reuse to minimise consumption and effluent generation.

Evaluate technologies for the treatment and disposal of gaseous, liquid and solid waste, demonstrating and incorporating knowledge of contaminant properties and removal technologies.

Understand air emissions and their dispersion, and propose emissions mitigation strategies to minimise ecological impact.

Explore the benefits of improved industrial ecology through integrated manufacture and improved industrial planning.

Teaching approach

Active learning

Problem-based learning

The main learning approach is problem-based learning which requires you to be involved with the project and proactive learners. Learning in the unit is mainly through solving problem sheets and then extending this in open-ended mini design assignments which are undertaken as group projects. Often there is an optimisation approach to the problem where there are no right or wrong answers, and this often throws up interesting compromises that professional engineers encounter in their work.

Assessment summary

Continuous assessment: 50%

Final assessment: 50%

This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment

1 - Group assignment

2 - Group assignment

3 - Computer quiz

4 - Final assessment

Scheduled and non-scheduled teaching activities

Practical activities

Workshops

Workload requirements

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Learning resources

Required resources

Other unit costs

The following items are mandatory for practical aspects of the unit and should be purchased at your own cost as you will be reusing them throughout your course.

Calculator
Protective clothing and equipment:
- Laboratory coat (Approximately AUD35 to AUD55)
- Safety glasses (Approximately AUD8)
- Laboratory-appropriate enclosed footwear (Non-porous material, equipped with non-absorbent, slip-resistant soles)

Costs are indicative only.

Availability in areas of study

Minor: Sustainable energy transition
Minor: Sustainable engineering