Reaction kinetics & mechanisms. Design of batch, flow & multiple reactors. Residence time distribution & non-ideal flow reactors. Non-isothermal reactors. Catalytic & non-catalytic heterogeneous reactions. Transport effects. Multiple reactors.
Reactors are everywhere in nature and in engineered systems. They are a key unit operation in most processes that chemical engineers deal with and are present in natural systems from the atmosphere to individual cells. Reaction engineering deals with the modelling, analysis, and design of systems where reactions occur. The analysis involves principles of chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and fluid mechanics. This course considers the types of reactors found in industry and nature building up understanding from simple to more complex systems. Given the infinite variety of reactors that exist (or are yet to be invented) there is a focus on the methods that systematically unpack the complexity of reactors to produce useful models, analysis, and designs. Complexities can arise from complex reaction mechanisms (e.g. multiple reactions), heterogeneous reactions, complex flow patterns, and non-isothermal behaviour and these will all be considered in this course.
This course integrates a wide range of topics typically covered in the first and second year of a chemical engineering specialisation. It requires prior experience with: Material and energy balances, fluid properties, process flow diagrams, and process control diagrams. Rate laws, Arrhenius relationships, and catalysed reactions. Chemical thermodynamics of reactions, phases, and solutions. Heat and mass transfer principles, phenomena, and correlations. Fluid and particle principles, phenomena, and correlations. Calculus and first order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) from first year engineering mathematics. Python (or similar) and Excel to manipulate data and solve equations.
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CHEE2001 and CHEE2003 and (CHEE2030 or CHEE3003) and (CHEE2040 or CHEE3002)
Office hours: Wednesday, 12:30pm - 2pm in my office (46-504, Level 5 of Liveris). Knock on my window to get my attention!
Other times: Very happy to meet at other times by email appointment to discuss any issues with the course or your studies.
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Workshops and tutorials start in week 1. Practical is run only in week 4 and requires you to preference your times for allocation.
This course prepares students to be able to design and analyse reactors that are part of engineered and natural process. This is really an application of some of the "big ideas" of engineering to reactors:
To be able to do this, students will develop an understanding of reaction kinetics & mechanisms, design of batch & flowﾠ reactors, residence time distribution & non-ideal flow reactors, non-isothermal reactors, heterogeneous reactions, and transport effects. With these fundamentals a student should be able to critically evaluate the suitability of a reactor design, how changes in conditions will affect a reactor and the factors that impact the optimal design and running conditions of a reactor.
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Calculate thermodynamic limits of reactions and explain the impact of changing conditions on these limits.
LO2.
Model and analyse ideal reactors (batch, CSTRs, and PFTRs) using mass balances, stoichiometry, rate equations, and/or empirical data.
LO3.
Formulate rate equations for complex reaction mechanisms, including heterogeneous and biological reactions, and explain key features of complex rate equations based on the relevant phenomena.
LO4.
Model and analyse reactors with non-isothermal behaviour and/or significant heat transfer and explain the impact on reactor behaviour of different reactor configurations and conditions.
LO5.
Model and analyse reactors with non-ideal flow regimes using residence time distributions and composite reactor models and explain the impact on reactor behaviour of different reactor configurations and flow regimes.
LO6.
Design a reactor using literature data, reactor modelling, and recommended design practices, to achieve specified process outcomes with consideration of the broader process.
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Problem Sets
|
30% Part of in-semester hurdle |
14/03/2025 2:00 pm 24/03/2025 2:00 pm 7/04/2025 2:00 pm 28/04/2025 2:00 pm 12/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration |
Practical completion and report
|
5% Part of in-semester hurdle |
31/03/2025 2:00 pm
Some marks for completing practical in week 4. You must attend your allocated session. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project |
Reactor Design
|
20% Part of in-semester hurdle |
30/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Exam During Exam Period (Central)
|
45% Hurdle |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
14/03/2025 2:00 pm
24/03/2025 2:00 pm
7/04/2025 2:00 pm
28/04/2025 2:00 pm
12/05/2025 2:00 pm
Problem set sequence with a weight of 6% each.
Problem solving, analysis, and concept questions covering key concepts for the exam and reactor design assignment.
Submitted via Gradescope as a single PDF. The PDF must be clear and legible. Use a PDF scanning app on your phone for hand written pages.
If you don't have a suitable phone, you can scan to PDF in the library. Do NOT take photos and paste into a word document.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission via Gradescope.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Results and feedback are released after 7 days. Beyond 7 days, an exemption may be granted for up to one problem set with the weighting re-distributed to other problem sets.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date. Late submissions of assessment items will only be accepted if approval for late submission has been obtained prior to the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Course Instance (CI), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
31/03/2025 2:00 pm
Some marks for completing practical in week 4. You must attend your allocated session.
Short report covering results and analysis from the practical. Information and instructions will be available on Blackboard.
50% of marks are associated with successfully completing practical in person experiments. Attendance in your allocated practical sessions is required to attain these marks. Anyone arriving more than 5 minutes late will not be able to undertake the practical as you will have missed the briefing. If you cannot attend your practical due to exceptional circumstances, you need to apply for an extension to be allocated to another practical time.
Practicals require students to have Lab PPE:
If you don't have suitable Lab PPE you will not be able to complete your practical and will forfeit marks associated with completing the practical.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Complete practical in person in your allocated session and submit your report via Gradescope by the due date.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
This assessment item contains specific marks for completing the practical in person. Practical can only be rescheduled with an approved extension within available times. Beyond this, an exemption may be granted with the weighting re-distributed to the problem sets and written practical component.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date. Late submissions of assessment items will only be accepted if approval for late submission has been obtained prior to the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Course Instance (CI), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
30/05/2025 4:00 pm
This is a short report detailing the design of a reactor for a specified process with specified requirements.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submitted via Gradescope.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date. Late submissions of assessment items will only be accepted if approval for late submission has been obtained prior to the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Course Instance (CI), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
Final Exam covering all weeks.
On campus invigilated exam.
Closed book with formula sheet provided.
Casio FX-82 or UQ approved (with sticker) calculator required.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 180 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
You may be able to defer this exam.
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19.9 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: < 20% overall. Very limited evidence of attaining course outcomes due to largely incomplete or incorrect work. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44.9 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: >= 20% overall. Unable to consistently apply the key concepts of the course. Will often start solutions on the wrong track and/or using methods/ calculations/ assumptions that contradict each other. May also fail to identify obvious sign and magnitude errors in erroneous calculations. Designs are significantly incomplete or incorrect with regards to meeting design requirements, concepts applied, or data used. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: >= 45% overall with >= 25% for the final exam AND >= 40% for the weighted average of the in-semester assessment. Demonstrates a poor understanding of some key concepts. Starts some solutions on the wrong track and/or using methods/calculations/assumptions that contradict each other. May also fail to identify obvious sign and magnitude errors. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: >= 50% overall with >= 40% for the final exam AND >= 45% for the weighted average of the in-semester assessment. Demonstrates a functional understanding of key concepts. Able to use these concepts to solve straight forward problems. Can start most complex problems with the correct concept and assumptions, but may not be able to complete the majority of these problems. Some contradictions are evident but should not be common. Able to identify most magnitude and sign errors. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: >= 65% overall with >= 55% for the final exam AND >= 55% for the weighted average of the in-semester assessment. Demonstrates a good understanding of all concepts in the course with perhaps a very good understanding of some. Simple problems are (essentially) correctly solved with more complex problems solved (or more progress in these problems) than for a 4 but with some significant errors still. Essentially no contradictions in concepts/ calculations/ assumptions are evident. Able to identify essentially all magnitude and sign errors in erroneous calculations (i.e. unrealistic solutions). |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: >= 75% overall with >= 65% for the final exam AND >= 65% for the weighted average of the in-semester assessment. Demonstrates a very good understanding of concepts in the course that is unwavering when faced with unfamiliar problems. Simple problems are (essentially) correctly solved with most complex problems solved or with small errors. Errors (or incomplete solutions) are due to lack of attention to detail, not accounting for a subtlety of a problem or not being able to integrate several concepts in the one problem. Essentially no contradictions in concepts/ calculations/ assumptions are evident. Able to identify essentially all magnitude and sign errors in erroneous calculations (i.e. unrealistic solutions). |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: >= 85% overall with >= 75% for the final exam AND >= 75% for the weighted average of the in-semester assessment. Demonstrates a deep and robust understanding of all concepts in the course and an ability to transfer and use these concepts in a variety of contexts. Simple and complex problems are solved with the correct concepts/ calculations/ assumptions with only minor errors. Able to identify essentially all magnitude and sign errors in erroneous calculations (i.e. unrealistic solutions). |
The overall mark is the weighted average of all assessment.
There are hurdles to pass, and for each grade, based on the final exam and the weighted average of the in-semester assessment. The in-semester assessment is all assessment except the final exam.
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Use of calculators
ONLY Casio FX-82AU and university approved calculators (with a label) can be used in exams for this course. Please consult my.UQ https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/sitting-exam/approved-calculators for information about approved calculators and obtaining a label for non-approved calculators.
Students must retain their assessment items. Without the original assessment item, it is not possible for a mark to be changed if the mark is contested.
Marks for a piece of assessment can only be changed within 4 weeks of assessment being released to students (as opposed to when you view your assessment). Marks will not be changed after 4 weeks has elapsed.
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Lab PPE | Lab PPE required: Lab coat, safety glasses, closed shoes, long pants. | own item needed |
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From O-week To Week 12 |
Not Timetabled |
Online module with video lectures Weekly online module containing short video lectures, notes, and quizzes for the week. The videos should be viewed before the workshop (WKS). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Workshop |
Workshop Weekly workshop covering the key concepts, topics, and skills for the week with reference to links with problem set, practical, and reactor design in relevant weeks. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Tutorial to support students in completing problem sets, reactor design, and any other questions about course concepts. Support available from tutors and staff. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Practical |
Practical Experiments for each of the major reactor types: batch, CSTR, and PFR. Students sign-on to a single 2 hour session. Learning outcomes: L02, L06 |
Completing practical in person is part of the assessment. Must have Lab PPE (safety glasses, lab coat, closed shoes, long pants). Must attend allocated session. If you cannot attend your session due to exceptional circumstances, you must apply for an extension.
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:
Anyone undertaking courses with a practical component must complete the UQ Undergraduate Student Laboratory Safety Induction and pass the associated assessment.
Specific instructions, usage guidelines and rules for each of the undergraduate laboratories will be delivered as part of each course.
In some cases, students may be required to attend a specific face-to-face laboratory induction/training session.