Duration
10h Th, 90h Proj.
Number of credits
| Master MSc. in Chemical and Materials Science Engineering, professional focus in Chemical Engineering | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The theoretical course consist in about 10h theoretical sessions. This will include lectures about CO2 re-use and power-to-fuel processes, as well as present the basics of economic analysis with a focus on industrial chemical processes.
Then, in the project hours, students work in group (ideally 4-5 students per group) to perform a techno-economic evaluation of a process of their choice that converts CO2 into fuels. This process will address the European Student Contest Problem published each year by the Eurecha Association:
https://www.wp-cape.eu/index.php/student-contest-problem/
This contest is organized by the Eurecha association in collaboration with the Working Party CAPE (Computers Aided Chemical Engineering) of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE), and with the Energy Section of the EFCE.
Different case studies will be suggested, depending on the nature of the fuel to be produced (methane, methanol, sustainable aviation fuels...), or on the industrial context in which the plant should come (centralized vs. decentralized, local vs. remote, integrated to an energy community vs. stand-alone...).
Students will first select an application addressing the Eurecha contest based on a short literature review. Then, students will deepen the study and apply theoretical concepts to their selected application. All projects will have to produce a techno-economical evaluation, including a profitablity analysis of the project under the form of a discounted cash-flow diagram. On the top of that, students will use simulation and optimization tools to achieve the best possible proposal for the contest. Among others, they may consider:
- Efficient process design and simulation using commercial simulation software, including detailed design of equipment
- Process integration (heat integration, valorisation of waste heat...)
- System optimization using MILP tools
- Life cycle assessment (in case some students in the group follow the course CHIM0699 in parallel)
The final results will be reported following high-level scientific communication standards to be submitted to the Eurecha Student Contest Problem.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The goal of the lecture is to promote the application of theoretical knowledge about power-to-fuel and process design, modeling and optimization. In particular, a focus will be set on the ability to realize a proper techno-economic analysis (pre-FEED study), with a focus on low-carbon industrial processes. Soft skills are also used through group work with students from different sections (Chemical Engineering and Energy Engineering), project management and possible interactions with external experts.
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
- Perform a critical review of the literature, recognize the need for information, to identify efficient sources for valid information and to collect information from these sources
- Identify mass and energy balances for an industrial power-to-fuel process
- Design and/or adapt a process flowsheet for a selected industrial process, including system sizing and choice of operating conditions
- Evaluate the cost of the required equipment, as well as the process utilities (energy, water, ...) and perform a techno-economic analysis of the project, including profitability analysis
- Manage a process design project and report about it using high-quality scientific standards
- Address transversal issues related to process design and including technical, economical and environmental perspectives
- Work in a multi-disciplinary team (Chemical + energy engineering)
- Use their power of judgment as engineers in order to work with complex and possibly incomplete information, to recognize discrepancies and to deal with them
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.2, II.1, II.2, II.3, III.1, III.2, IV.1, IV.3, IV.4, V.1, V.3, VI.1, VI.2, VI.3, VI.4, VII.1, VII.2, VII.4 of the MSc in chemical and material science engineering.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basics of chemical and energy engineering, in particular process modeling and design, optimization. These skills can be acquired within the Master in Energy Engineering, at the University of Liège.
Previous attendance of CHIM0695 (Introduction to the modeling of chemical and energy processes) is definitely useful.
Students from other master programmes willing to attend the class may contact G. Léonard for admission to the class.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The lecture will consist in about 10h theoretical classes and 90h of project. Weekly mentoring will be offered for the project part.
The course will be organised jointly with the course "Power-to-fuel" (ENRG0005) and multi-disciplinary groups will be created, combining students from different sections.
The course sessions will support the process design project thanks to regular face-to-face interactions between the students and the teaching team.
At the end of the project, a 15-page report (including figures, but not annexes) will be delivered. A feed-back for the first version will be offered, so that students can submit a corrected version of their report.
If quality suffices, this report will be considered for submission to the EURECHA student contest, organized within the framework of the Europen Federation of Chemical Engineering, Working party on Computer aided process engineering:
https://www.wp-cape.eu/index.php/student-contest-problem/
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Theoretical classes (possibility of presentations by academic and industrial experts), written and oral feedback on deliverables, office hours.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Lecture materials will be uploaded on e-campus. Reference book:
Turton R., Shaeiwitz J., Bhattacharyya D., Whiting W., 2018. Analysis, Synthesis and Design of Chemical Processes, fifth edition, Prentice Hall, Pearson Education. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-417740-3, ISBN-10: 0-13-417740-1
Description of the Eurecha contest as well as past winning submissions are available here:
www.wp-cape.eu/index.php/student-contest-problem/
Written work / report
Out-of-session test(s)
Further information:
Additional information:
The assessment is based on two written reports and one oral presentation:
1. a group report delivered around beginning December for review by the teaching assistant: 30% of the grade
2. an oral presentation of the first report : 30% of the grade
2. the final corrected version: 40% of the grade
A second session may be organized, in which case students must correct and resubmit the failed report(s) by August 25th. In this case, the new submission will correspond to 100% of the grade.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Group work, organised during the first semester. Report submission in December.
Final report must be delivered by December 23, 23.59 (date to be agreed together). In case of second session, final report must be delivered by August 25, 23.59.
First class timetable: See Celcat calendar.
First class 2024-2025: September 25, 13h30, room R.21, B28
Contacts
Prof. Grégoire Léonard, g.leonard@uliege.be