MINNESOTA WEST COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE
Faculty is required to have the outline submitted to the Academic Affairs Office. The course outline
is the form used for approval of new courses by the Academic Affairs and Standards Council.
DEPT. RNEW
COURSE NUMBER: 2121
NUMBER OF CREDITS: 2
COURSE TITLE: Distillation and Evaporation Lab
CATALOG DESCRIPTION : This course is designed to investigate bench-level distillation
terminology and practices in the laboratory. Students will become familiar with typical distillation
assemblies and equipment in both the batch and continuous processing systems. Mathematical
skills will be used to calculate the mass balance of system inputs and product recovery.
AUDIENCE : Students pursuing a Biofuels Technology A.A.S. degree and incumbent workers in
the renewable energy industry.
FULFILLS MN TRANSFER CURRICULUM AREA(S) (Leave blank if not applicable)
Area:
by meeting the following competencies:
Area:
by meeting the following competencies:
Area:
by meeting the following competencies:
PREREQUISITES OR NECESSARY ENTRY SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE: This course should be taken
concurrent with the proposed new course, RNEW 2120, Ethanol Separation Technology
LENGTH OF COURSE : One Semester
THIS COURSE IS USUALLY OFFERED:
Every other year
fall
spring X
summer
undetermined
Four goals are emphasized in course at Minnesota West Community & Technical College:
1) ACADEMIC CONTENT: The academic objectives of this course are:
a. Become familiar with various types of bench-level distillation practices in the
laboratory and relating them to industrial applications
b. Troubleshooting continuous distillation processes by working through varying process
parameters (temperature, level, and flow)
c. Identifying unknown products of distillation
d. Conducting mass balance calculations
2) THINKING SKILLS: This course will help students improve the effectiveness of their thinking
skills through:
a. Determining how to effectively and safely set up a distillation apparatus with typical
chemical glassware and laboratory equipment
b. Through experimentation, students will be able to identify the differences in simple
distillation and vacuum distillation
c. Troubleshooting continuous distillation processes by working through varying process
parameters (temperature, level, and flow)
d. Identifying unknown products of distillation through identification of their physical
properties
e. Conducting mass balance calculations
3) COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS: This course will help students improve their oral and written
communication skills through:
a. Students will present their results from the laboratory experiments
b. Students will write both formal and informal laboratory reports
4) HUMAN DIVERSITY: This course will help students recognize, understand, and appreciate
human diversity through:
a. Students will work with lab partners or in groups to conduct distillation and
evaporation experiments
b. Peer evaluation of the student presentations
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
1. Lab Safety
2. Formal and Informal Lab Report Requirements
3. Glassware terminology
4. Distillation Terminology
5. Setting up a bench-level distillation apparatus
6. Relating Bench Level Distillation Components to Industrial Counterparts
7. Batch Distillation of known components
8. Batch Distillation of Unknown Components
9. Vacuum Distillation
10. Continuous Distillation
11. Evaporation
12. Drying
13. Recovery of the Final Product(s)
LIST OF EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES:
1. Understand safety laboratory procedures with regard to the chemicals and equipment used
in distillation systems.
2. Increase technical writing skills by writing formal and informal laboratory reports.
3. Identify the equipment used in distillation systems an be able to explain how each system
component works.
4. Conduct simple distillation experiments using known components
5. Identify unknown components of a liquid through distillation and observations of the physical
properties of the final product(s).
6. Understand the difference between batch and continuous distillation processes
7. Understand the effects of applying a vacuum to a distillation system
8. Understand evaporation techniques at the bench level and related them to an industrial
setting
9. Understand and successfully calculate mass balance calculations
10. Understand the mass-to-volume conversions through density,
LEARNING/TEACHING TECHNIQUES used in the course are:
X Collaborative Learning
X Problem Solving
X Student Presentations
X Creative Projects
Lecture
X Demonstrations
X Lab
Interactive Lectures
Individual Coaching
Films/Videos/Slides
Other (describe below)
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS FOR THIS CLASS INCLUDE:
X Reading
X Tests
X Individual Projects
X Oral Presentations
Worksheets
X Collaborative Projects
Textbook Problems
Papers
Portfolio
Group Problems
Term Paper
X Other (describe below)
Formal and Informal Laboratory reporting
EXPECTED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Students will be able to identify the equipment used in distillation systems an be able to
explain how each system component works.
2. Students will increase their technical writing skills by writing formal and informal laboratory
reports.
3. Students will conduct simple distillation experiments in systems with both known and
unknown components
4. Students will understand the difference between batch and continuous distillation processes
5. Students will understand evaporation techniques at the bench level and related them to an
industrial setting
6. Students will understand and successfully calculate mass balance calculations
7. Students will become familiar with the mass-to-volume conversions through density,
"This course will cover the characteristics of hazardous wastes and its safe handling, storage, and disposal."
The information in this course outline is subject to revision
Veteran Services: Minnesota West is dedicated to assisting veterans and eligible family members in achieving their educational goals efficiently.
Active duty and reserve/guard military members should advise their instructor of all regularly scheduled military appointments and duties that
conflict with scheduled course requirements. Instructors will make every effort to work with the student to identify adjusted timelines. If you are
a veteran, please contact the Minnesota West Veterans Service Office.
To receive reasonable accommodations for a documented disability, please contact the campus Student Services Advisor or campus Disability
Coordinator as arrangements must be made in advance. In addition, students are encouraged to notify their instructor.
This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by contacting the
Student Services Advisor or by calling 800-658-2330 or
Minnesota Relay Service at 800-627-3529 or by using your preferred relay service.
A Member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System
An Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Educator/Employer