Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Course profile

Process Systems Analysis (CHEE3020)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Chemical Engineering School

The course introduces a systems approach to develop chemical engineering processes through process analysis and synthesis. The context and needs that give rise to process systems are examined along with the development of complex flowsheets. Techniques for the decomposition of large, complex systems to smaller problems are developed. While computer simulation skills are developed to facilitate the design, creation and evaluation of complex systems, costing and financial analyses are introduced to determine the feasibility of new developed processes.

CHEE3020 continues to build foundational process engineering skills, including mass and energy balance ᅠskills (developed during CHEE2001),ᅠ knowledge of ᅠprocess equipment and knowledge of process control. CHEE3020 ᅠintroduces more advanced analytical approaches, tools and methodologies and applies these skills for analysis, interpretation and optimisation of larger and/or more complex processes involving many unit operations and unit processes. Students learn to apply advanced analytical skills at multiple levels ranging from whole processes toᅠ the operation of individual units within these processes, including how changes in the operation of key equipment ᅠimpacts the broader process.ᅠ

A key aspect of CHEE3020 is the application of computer-aided process flowsheeting and simulationᅠ tools to facilitate process analysis, and using this software along with other core engineering skills to explore ᅠthe design and/or optimisation of processes with consideration of economic, social ᅠ& environmental impacts. In CHEE3020 students will learn techniques for the development of new process flowsheets that are both practical and realistic, including the identification and evaluation of process variations; as part of this work students will identify process selection criteria and refine decision making skills.ᅠ

Course requirements

Assumed background

Knowledge of the principles of mass and energy balancing and the ability to apply and solve across single or simple and small combinations of units. This implies CHEE2001 Process Principles or equivalent.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

CHEE2001

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

(CHEE3002 or CHEE2040) and (CHEE3003 or CHEE2030)

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

CHEE2002

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Mentor meetings between student project teams and the teaching team are scheduled twice during semester and generally occur outside scheduled class time (usually in Week 4 and Week 10).

Aims and outcomes

The aims of this course are to:

  • Acquire skills to analyse and synthesise chemical engineering processes.
  • Develop the capacity to think creatively about problems encountered during process development.
  • Develop skills in working both independently and within a team to complete process analysis and synthesis.


Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Develop appropriate process engineering diagrams and perform mass and energy balances on complex flowsheets.

LO2.

Use a systematic approach for analysing and developing chemical engineering processes.

LO3.

Use a systematic approach for synthesising and developing chemical engineering processes.

LO4.

Use Aspen Plus simulations for process development.

LO5.

Carry out costing and economic analyses to determine the feasibility of a new process.

LO6.

Work effectively in an engineering project team to develop new chemical engineering processes.

LO7.

Communicate process information at a professional standard in both written and oral formats.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation, Project Project 1 Report and Presentation
  • Hurdle
  • Team or group-based
  • In-person
25% Group work

Project report 6/09/2024 5:00 pm

Project presentation will be organised in Week8 Tutorial section.

Practical/ Demonstration Aspen Plus Simulation
  • In-person
5% Individual work

Week9 tutorial section will be used for this assessment.

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project Project 2 Report
  • Hurdle
  • Team or group-based
30% Group work

25/10/2024 5:00 pm

Examination Final Exam
  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
40% Individual work

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

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.

Assessment details

Project 1 Report and Presentation

  • Hurdle
  • Team or group-based
  • In-person
Mode
Oral, Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation, Project
Weight
25% Group work
Due date

Project report 6/09/2024 5:00 pm

Project presentation will be organised in Week8 Tutorial section.

Other conditions
Peer assessment factor.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L05, L06, L07

Task description

This is a project to apply process analysis skills. The product to be examined is selected by the team with a project report delivered in week 7 (20% of total assessment) and a presentation delivered in week 8 (5% of total assessment). Peer assessment on team criteria will determine a Peer Assessment Factor (PAF) for individual team members.

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.

Project hurdle is applied in this course. 

Hurdle requirements

To pass the course you must receive >= 50% on the Final Exam ANDᅠᅠ>= 50% ᅠfor your overall project mark. Each grade band has its own hurdles based on the final exam and your overall project mark.

Submission guidelines

Online submission of project reports via Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

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)

Aspen Plus Simulation

  • In-person
Mode
Activity/ Performance, Written
Category
Practical/ Demonstration
Weight
5% Individual work
Due date

Week9 tutorial section will be used for this assessment.

Learning outcomes
L01, L04

Task description

In this assessment, students will be given a process engineering scenario and example process data. Students are required to work individually to draw block flow diagrams, build and run Aspen simulations and present simulation results.

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 guidelines

Answer sheets must be submitted within the time allocated.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

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)

Project 2 Report

  • Hurdle
  • Team or group-based
Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
Weight
30% Group work
Due date

25/10/2024 5:00 pm

Other conditions
Peer assessment factor.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

This is a project to apply process synthesis skills with a project report delivered in week 13 (30% of total assessment). Peer assessment on team criteria will determine a Peer Assessment Factor (PAF) for individual team members.

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.

Project hurdle is applied in this course. 

Hurdle requirements

To pass the course you must receive >= 50% on the Final Exam ANDᅠᅠ>= 50% ᅠfor your overall project mark. Each grade band has its own hurdles based on the final exam and your overall project mark.

Submission guidelines

Online submission of project reports via Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

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)

Final Exam

  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
40% Individual work
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Individual final exam tests understanding of all aspects of the course material from lectures, tutorials and project work. No written materials are permitted. No electronic aids are permitted (e.g. laptops, phones).

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.

Exam hurdle is applied in this course. 

Hurdle requirements

To pass the course you must receive >= 50% on the Final Exam ANDᅠᅠ>= 50% ᅠfor your overall project mark. Each grade band has its own hurdles based on the final exam and your overall project mark.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Description
1 (Low Fail)

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Work is of an extremely low standard or incomplete and the student cannot be considered to have achieved the minimum standard required to pass the course. Less than 20% for the course overall.

2 (Fail)

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Work has multiple significant shortcomings and the student cannot be considered to have achieved the minimum standard required to pass the course. 20 to 44.9% for the course overall.

3 (Marginal Fail)

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: Work falls below the minimum standard required to pass the course. Falls short of satisfying requirements for a Pass (grade of 4 or higher). 45 - 49.9% for the course overall AND/OR < 50% on the final exam AND/OR < 50% overall group project mark.

4 (Pass)

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Work is completed to an acceptable standard. A student in this grade band will perform at a consistently acceptable standard in most areas with some work perhaps also being at a higher standard (but not enough for a 5). Students receiving this grade must achieve 50 - 64.9% for the course overall AND >= 50% on the final exam AND >= 50% overall group project mark.

5 (Credit)

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Work completed to a good standard. A student in this grade band will perform at a consistently good standard in most areas with some excellent (but not enough for a 6) or acceptable work (but still exceeding requirements for a 4). The student’s contribution is solid but rarely has a strong impact on the direction of the group/project. As for Grade 4, but your overall performance was higher. Students receiving this grade must achieve 65 - 74.9% for the course overall AND >= 60% on the final exam AND >= 60% overall group project mark.

6 (Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Work completed to a very good standard. A student in this grade band will perform to an excellent standard in some areas and a good standard in the rest. They will make a very strong contribution to their group through the tutorial sessions and the projects whilst producing individual work of a high standard. As for Grade 5, but your overall performance was higher. Students receiving this grade must achieve 75 - 84.9% for the course overall AND >= 70% on the final exam AND >= 70% overall group project mark.

7 (High Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Consistently excellent. Shows a very high standard in completing both group work and individual work. As for Grade 6, but achieving very high level of performance in all forms of assessment. They must perform consistently well in all forms of assessment. Students receiving this grade must achieve >= 85% for the course overall AND >= 80% on the final exam AND >= 80% overall group project mark.

Additional course grading information

To pass the course you must receive >= 50% on the Final Exam ANDᅠᅠ>= 50% ᅠfor your overall group project mark. Each grade band has its own hurdles based on the final exam and your overall project mark.

Supplementary assessment is not available if you receive a 3 on the basis of the overall project mark.The project work in this course involves group work and spans the entire semester, including peer assessments. If a student fails the group project, there will be no time or group members available to undertake a supplementary assessment for the project component.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.

In CHEE3020 supplementary assessment will take the form of a written exam. There is no supplementary assessment available for project work.

Additional assessment information

Academic Integrity in CHEE3020, including Artificial Intelligence

  • For Aspen Plus Simulation Assessment, running simulations, presenting the results of simulations and interpreting the outcomes mustᅠ be your own work. Students should not provide classmates with copies of simulation files.
  • At UQ, the assessment you submit must be your work.ᅠ The use of AI to support learning is addressed within the description of each assessment item.
  • The use of AI in any assessment must be acknowledged (UQ Library referencing guide).
  • Not referencing or acknowledging AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct (PPL 3.60.01)

Learning resources

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.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Other learning resources and information will be periodically placed on blackboard with notification made via email.ᅠ

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Filter activity type by

Please select
Clear filters
Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13
(22 Jul - 27 Oct)

Lecture

Lectures

A series of Lectures covers the principles required for process analysis, synthesis, simulation, costing and financial evaluation. Lectures are recorded and will be available in the course blackboard page. A semester plan showing the weekly lecture topic is available on the course blackboard page.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Tutorial

Tutorials

The Tutorials aim to put lecture materials into practise and assist with development of practical skills for process analysis, synthesis, simulation, costing and financial evaluation. Students will be trained on using process simulation solftware during tutorial sections. Tutorial sessions are NOT RECORDED, however worked solutions are provided for tutorial problems. A semester plan showing the weekly tutorial topic is available on the course blackboard page.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Practical

Project work

Students work in teams on projects to apply the principles of process analysis, synthesis, simulation, costing and financial evaluation.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Policies and procedures

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.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

  • Safety Induction for Practicals

Course guidelines

Safety Induction for Practicals

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.