CHEG 200: Chemical Engineering Principles
Study Guide for Exam 1
Problem-Solving Methodology
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Identify the fundamental process operation in a well-defined problem.
Sketch a conceptual model that includes a diagram, givens, finds, and additional data.
Develop a mathematical model and list its assumptions and degrees of freedom.
Create a mathematical algorithm that satisfies the degrees of freedom.
Solve the mathematical algorithm to obtain the numerical answers.
Formulate heuristic observations by reviewing the answers, algorithm, and models.
Document formally the solution to the well-defined problem.
Apply above methodology to problems that involve material conservation.
Process Streams
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Identify the process state of a multi-component stream or material;
that is, its temperature, pressure, flow rate (or amount), and composition.
Convert relative temperature or pressure to its absolute value and vice versa.
Express flow rate (or amount) in terms of mass, moles, and volume.
Express composition in terms of mass, mole, and volume fractions and
in terms of mass or molar concentrations.
Describe how mass and molar quantities are interrelated through molecular weight.
Describe how mass and volume quantities are interrelated through density.
Describe the interrelationship between mass and mole fractions.
Describe the interrelationship between mass and volume fractions.
Describe the interrelationship between mole fraction and molar concentration.
Describe the interrelationship between mass fraction and mass concentration.
Express mixture molecular weight in terms of component molecular weights.
Express mixture density in terms of pure-component densities or concentrations.
Classify above quantities as intensive and extensive properties.
Locate pure-component molecular weights in the literature.
Express density as a function of temperature, pressure, and composition.
Express the interrelationship between mass and molar density and specific volume.
Locate pure-component densities or specific gravities in the literature.
Analyze problems that use the interrelation between flow rate (or amount) quantities and between
composition quantities.
Engineering Calculations
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Identify the mks, fps, and cgs units commonly used for various quantities.
Convert units from one system to another system using conversion factors.
Determine the correct number of significant figures in a series of calculations.
Explain and use the concept of dimensional homogeneity for algebraic equations.
Verify a math model with experimental data using a straight line fit by visual inspection.
Exam 1 Study Guide
Page 1 of 2
Michael Hanyak
CHEG 200: Chemical Engineering Principles
Study Guide for Exam 1
Process Units
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Describe typical process units such as mixer, splitter, reactors, and separators.
Classify their type as continuous, batch, semi-batch, or semi-continuous.
Identify their operation as steady state or unsteady state.
Sketch their operation as a diagram and label the process state of all streams or materials.
Illustrate a process stream on a dry basis by two fictitious streams on the diagram (one for water and
one for the other chemical components).
Material Balances
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Select an appropriate form for the material balances, either mass, mole, or atom.
Write general forms of the total material balance and component balances or atom balances.
Apply assumptions, wherever appropriate, to simplify these general forms.
Write mixture equations (i.e., total amount equals the sum of component amounts).
Select a linear independent set from the balances and mixture equations.
Write composition equations (i.e., component amount equals total amount times component mass or
molar composition).
Write conversion and/or excess equations for a main chemical reaction.
Write yield and/or selectivity equations for multiple reactions.
Write additional equations based on information given in a problem statement.
Develop mathematical models using the above balances and equations.
Analyze material balance problems for single and multiple process units.
Select a basis for an amount or flow rate and be able to do scaling when appropriate.
Apply a check equation using its standard or normalized form.
PVT Relationships
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Sketch the PT and PVT diagrams for a typical pure component.
Identify the single phases and equilibrium phases in these diagrams.
Trace a multi-step process in both diagrams.
Label each diagram with tabular data from the literature, such as melting point, boiling point, critical
point, saturated liquid and vapor molar or specific volumes.
Analyze material balance problems that incorporate PT and PVT relationships.
Exam 1 Study Guide
Page 2 of 2
Michael Hanyak