Module code
CSS420
Module name
Specialisation
(Analytical Techniques)
MODULE OUTCOMES
Name of lecturer(s)
Dr H Badenhorst
HOW ARE THE STUDENTS ASSESSED AGAINST
THE OUTCOMES?
The final mark for this module is made up as
follows:
• A semester mark (50% of the final mark)
will be made up of a number of
assignments and/or class tests. The
assignments may include the use of
selected characterization techniques to
analyse unknown materials.
• A written exam (closed-book) on the
work discussed during the module. The
mark earned for the exam will count
50% of the final mark for the module.
The objective of the module is to introduce
students to a very wide variety of analytical
techniques and their principles of operation. The
aim is to expose all students, but especially those
who are interested in pursuing post-graduate
opportunities in research, to the field of
materials characterization. Most of the
techniques are readily available for use at the
University of Pretoria and the remainder can be
accessed through one of its affiliates such as the
CSIR. This module will enable students who are
involved in research activities to be aware of all
the potentially relevant techniques which can aid
understanding of material microstructures and ECSA OUTCOME: 3, 9
properties. They will gain a working knowledge
of the operating principles of these techniques,
thereby enabling them to effectively assess and
interpret the respective analysis results.
The module is grouped into several sets of
related techniques, each set of techniques will
be addressed by the relevant expert within the
department of Chemical Engineering. The
approach will allow students to rapidly
understand
the
fundamental
operating
principles. However, more importantly the
learners will rapidly acquire insights into the
interpretation of results. The module will cover
the basic theory of each set of techniques, but
significant time will be dedicated to the
interpretation of real results gathered from past
research.
CONTENT (DETAILED CONTENT IS IN THE STUDY GUIDE OF THE MODULE FILE)
The module content is divided into the following lecture topics:
1. Imaging
2. Spectroscopy
3. Chromatography
4. Thermal analysis
5. Non-destructive X-ray and electron techniques
6. Bulk properties: solids, fluids and particles.
LIST OF PRESCRIBED BOOKS
There is no prescribed textbook for this module. Notes will be made available during class at the
discretion of each lecturer.
Module code
Module name
CSS420
Specialisation
(Environmental Engineering)
MODULE OUTCOMES
The module aims at teaching the students the
fundamental elements of environmental
engineering and how regulations affect design.
The student should at the end of this module be
conversant with pollution prevention
technologies, the hierarchy of waste
management, and integrated environmental
management. The higher level aim is to prepare
the students for the new requirements in
industry where engineers are expected to be
conversant with the impacts of their activities on
the environment. Specific themes covered in the
module will include the legal framework for
pollution prevention, water and wastewater
treatment unit operation, water quality analysis,
water treatment process control and
optimisation, pollutant mass transport in
environmental systems, waste load allocation
(distribution) principles, and cleaner
technologies (zero discharge principles).
Name of lecturer(s)
Prof EMN Chirwa
Dr G Kornelius (TBC)
Dr D Brink (TBC)
HOW ARE THE STUDENTS ASSESSED AGAINST
THE OUTCOMES?
A semester mark will be compiled from
assignments (25%), project (15%), and semester
test (60%). The course mark will consist of the
semester mark (50%) and final examination
(50%).
ECSA OUTCOME: 3,9
CONTENT (DETAILED CONTENT IS IN THE STUDY GUIDE OF THE MODULE FILE)
Legal framework for pollution prevention (introduction to hydrology), water and wastewater
treatment unit operation, water quality analysis, water treatment process control and optimisation,
pollutant mass transport in environmental systems (in water and air), waste load allocation
(distribution) principles, and cleaner technologies (zero discharge principles).
LIST OF PRESCRIBED BOOKS
Recommended: Peavy HS, Rowe DR, and Tchobanoglous G (1985) Environmental
Engineering, McGraw-Hill International Editions, Civil Engineering Series, McGraw-Hill Book
Company, New York.
Module code
CSS420
Module name
Specialisation
(Optimisation)
MODULE OUTCOMES
The module is aimed at introducing the student
to the basic concepts of optimization, with
emphasis on problem formulation, optimization
theory and methods, as well as applications.
Problem formulation will introduce the student
to the nature and organization of optimization
problems, whilst theory and methods will focus
on basic concepts of optimization, linear
programming and applications, as well as
nonlinear programming with constraints. On the
other hand, applications of optimization will
introduce the student to optimum synthesis and
design as encountered in chemical engineering
operations. In particular, this will cover heat
transfer and energy conservation operations and
flowsheet optimization or large scale plant
design. The course entails 16 credits, which
implies that the student should spend 160
nominal hours on the course content.
Name of lecturer(s)
Mr C Sandrock
HOW ARE THE STUDENTS ASSESSED AGAINST
THE OUTCOMES?
The final mark for this module is made up as
follows:
(i)
A semester mark (50% of the final
mark) which will be earned by
means of a test (20%) and two
assignments (80%). The first
assignment will be on
Optimization Theory and
Methods, whilst the second
assignment will be on Applications
of Optimization.
(ii)
A written exam (closed-book) on
the work contained in the
module. The mark earned for the
exam will count 50% of the final
mark for the module.
ECSA OUTCOME: 3, 9
CONTENT (DETAILED CONTENT IS IN THE STUDY GUIDE OF THE MODULE FILE)
The module content is divided into the following lecture topics:
Lecture Topic 1: Problem Formulation
Lecture Topic 2: Optimization Theory and Methods
Lecture Topic 3: Applications of Optimization
LIST OF PRESCRIBED BOOKS
Edgar, T.F., Himmelblau, D.M., Optimization of Chemical Processes, McGraw-Hill Chemical
Engineering Series
Module code
CSS420
Module name
Specialisation
(Plastics Materials)
MODULE OUTCOMES
A basic understanding of the molecular structure
of polymeric materials, their unique properties,
and all the classes of commercial plastics and
their applications.
Name of lecturer(s)
Dr H Rolfes
HOW ARE THE STUDENTS ASSESSED
AGAINST THE OUTCOMES?
In order to pass the module a student must
obtain a final mark of at least 50%
The final mark is calculated as follows:
Plastics item design project mark: 50%
Written examination mark: 50%
ECSA OUTCOME: 3, 9
CONTENT (DETAILED CONTENT IS IN THE STUDY GUIDE OF THE MODULE FILE)
Polymeric materials are as old as Noah’s ark. Natural polymers such wood, DNA,
polysaccharides, proteins and so on, have formed the basis of clothing decoration, shelter,
weapons and writing materials for early man. More recently, synthetic polymers, as
discovered in the nineteenth century, form the basis of our modern life. Electricity, cell
phones, computers and so on would not have been possible without the discovery of
synthetic polymers and their unique properties. It is thus vital that chemical engineers learn
about polymers and their unique long-chain structure resulting in the special and wonderful
properties they have.
Polymers can be divided into different classes including thermoplastics, thermosets and
elastomers/rubbers. Polymers may be crystalline or completely amorphous and they may be
homopolymers or copolymers. This module will deal with a basic introduction to polymers,
their classification, structure, properties and uses.
LIST OF PRESCRIBED BOOKS
Plastics Materials 7th Edition (available free of charge on Knovel on the UP Library’s web site), edited
by JA Brydson, Butterworth-Heinemann 1995, ISBN 0 7506 4132 0