Transport phenomena and numerical methods

Fundamental principles of transport phenomena, Newton's law of viscosity, Fourier's law of heat conduction and Fick's law of diffusion. Transfer coefficients (viscosity, thermal conductivity and diffusivity). Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids, conservation laws (mass, momentum and energy) and steady state shell mass, momentum and energy balances. Numerical solution of partial differential equations, classification of equations (finite differences and finite elements) and incorporation of boundary conditions into numerical solutions. Utilise computer packages to solve complex, realistic chemical engineering problems in fluid flow and transport phenomena.

Online learning - Recorded lectures will be provided on the Moodle site and will provide the required theoretical background knowledge. The lectures should be reviewed prior to the workshop and together with the recommended books. The content from the lectures will be reviewed in a weekly quiz.

Active learning - The weekly workshops will focus on applying the theory from the recorded lectures through problems set out in worksheets and drawn from practical questions. The problems start from pre-defined transport problems to ones that require deeper insight, requiring you to determine the form of the problem and which equations are needed to solve it. This will be illustrated in the workshops and practical sessions by the teaching staff through individual or group guidance with the set problems. This, therefore, also involves peer-assisted learning through collaboration. Active learning and attempting to solve the problems is crucial for this unit.

Problem-based learning - The workshops will be complemented by practice classes (two hours per week), focusing on a second problem set that is closely related to the worksheets. This is your opportunity to challenge yourself further and practice through active learning, in a smaller group with more teaching staff available for assistance. The nine problem sets will be assessed by submission of answers through a separate Moodle assignment. Additionally, computer lab sessions (two hours per week) will provide further practical examples through nine computer lab assignments that will also be assessed. The MATLAB and COMSOL simulations will connect theory with practice.

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.