CHEMICAL

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)

CHEMICAL CBT Exam Specifications
Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

• The FE exam is a computer-based test (CBT). It is closed book with an electronic reference.
• Examinees have 6 hours to complete the exam, which contains 110 multiple-choice questions.
The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial, a break, and a brief survey at the conclusion.
• The FE exam uses both the International System of Units (SI) and the US Customary System (USCS).

Knowledge Number of Questions

1. Mathematics 8–12
A. Analytic geometry
B. Roots of equations
C. Calculus
D. Differential equations
2. Probability and Statistics 4–6
A. Probability distributions (e.g., discrete, continuous, normal, binomial)
B. Expected value (weighted average) in decision making
C. Hypothesis testing
D. Measures of central tendencies and dispersions (e.g., mean, mode,
standard deviation)
E. Estimation for a single mean (e.g., point, confidence intervals)
F. Regression and curve fitting
3. Engineering Sciences 4–6
A. Applications of vector analysis (e.g., statics)
B. Basic dynamics (e.g., friction, force, mass, acceleration, momentum)
C. Work, energy, and power (as applied to particles or rigid bodies)
D. Electricity and current and voltage laws (e.g., charge, energy, current,
voltage, power, Kirchhoff, Ohm)
4. Computational Tools 4–6
A. Numerical methods and concepts (e.g., convergence, tolerance)
B. Spreadsheets for chemical engineering calculations
C. Simulators
5. Materials Science 4–6
A. Chemical, electrical, mechanical, and physical properties
(e.g., effect of temperature, pressure, stress, strain)
B. Material types and compatibilities (e.g., engineered materials,
ferrous and nonferrous metals)
C. Corrosion mechanisms and control
6. Chemistry 8–12
A. Inorganic chemistry (e.g., molarity, normality, molality, acids, bases,
redox reactions, valence, solubility product, pH, pK, electrochemistry,
periodic table)
B. Organic chemistry (e.g., nomenclature, structure, qualitative and
quantitative analyses, balanced equations, reactions, synthesis, basic
biochemistry)

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 CHEMICAL
7. Fluid Mechanics/Dynamics 8–12
A. Fluid properties
B. Dimensionless numbers (e.g., Reynolds number)
C. Mechanical energy balance (e.g., pipes, valves, fittings, pressure losses across
packed beds, pipe networks)
D. Bernoulli equation (hydrostatic pressure, velocity head)
E. Laminar and turbulent flow
F. Flow measurement (e.g., orifices, Venturi meters)
G. Pumps, turbines, and compressors
H. Compressible flow and non-Newtonian fluids
8. Thermodynamics 8–12
A. Thermodynamic properties (e.g. specific volume, internal energy, enthalpy,
entropy, free energy)
B. Properties data and phase diagrams (e.g. steam tables, psychrometric charts,
T-s, P-h, x-y, T-x-y)
C. Thermodynamic laws (e.g., 1st law, 2nd law)
D. Thermodynamic processes (e.g., isothermal, adiabatic, isentropic)
E. Cyclic processes and efficiency (e.g., power, refrigeration, heat pump)
F. Phase equilibrium (e.g., fugacity, activity coefficient)
G. Chemical equilibrium
H. Heats of reaction and mixing
9. Material/Energy Balances 8–12
A. Mass balance (steady and unsteady state)
B. Energy balance (steady and unsteady state)
C. Recycle/bypass processes
D. Reactive systems (e.g., combustion)
10. Heat Transfer 8–12
A. Conductive heat transfer
B. Convective heat transfer (natural and forced)
C. Radiation heat transfer
D. Heat transfer coefficients (e.g., overall, local, fouling)
E. Heat transfer equipment, operation, and design (e.g., double pipe, shell and
tube, fouling, number of transfer units, log-mean temperature difference,
flow configuration)
11. Mass Transfer and Separation 8–12
A. Molecular diffusion (e.g., steady and unsteady state, physical property estimation)
B. Convective mass transfer (e.g., mass transfer coefficient, eddy diffusion)
C. Separation systems (e.g., distillation, absorption, extraction, membrane processes)
D. Equilibrium stage methods (e.g., graphical methods, McCabe-Thiele, efficiency)
E. Continuous contact methods (e.g., number of transfer units, height equivalent to a
theoretical plate, height of transfer unit, number of theoretical plates)
F. Humidification and drying

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CHEMICAL

12. Chemical Reaction Engineering 8–12

A. Reaction rates and order
B. Rate constant (e.g., Arrhenius function)
C. Conversion, yield, and selectivity
D. Type of reactions (e.g., series, parallel, forward, reverse, homogeneous,
heterogeneous, catalysis, biocatalysis)
E. Reactor types (e.g., batch, semibatch, continuous stirred tank, plug flow,
gas phase, liquid phase)
13. Process Design and Economics 8–12
A. Process flow diagrams and piping and instrumentation diagrams
B. Equipment selection (e.g., sizing and scale-up)
C. Cost estimation
D. Comparison of economic alternatives (e.g., net present value,
discounted cash flow, rate of return, expected value and risk)
E. Process design and optimization (e.g., sustainability, efficiency,
green engineering, inherently safer design, evaluation of specifications)
14. Process Control 5–8
A. Dynamics (e.g., time constants and 2nd order, underdamped, and
transfer functions)
B. Control strategies (e.g., feedback, feed-forward, cascade, ratio, and PID)
C. Control loop design and hardware (e.g., matching measured and manipulated
variables, sensors, control valves, and conceptual process control)
15. Safety, Health, and Environment 5–8
A. Hazardous properties of materials (e.g., corrosivity, flammability,
toxicity, reactivity, handling and storage), including MSDS
B. Industrial hygiene (e.g., noise, PPE, ergonomics)
C. Process safety and hazard analysis [e.g., layer of protection analysis,
hazard and operability studies (HazOps), fault-tree analysis or event tree]
D. Overpressure and underpressure protection (e.g., relief, redundant control,
intrinsically safe)
E. Waste minimization, waste treatment, and regulation (e.g., air, water, solids,
RCRA, CWA, EPA, OSHA)
16. Ethics and Professional Practice 2–3
A. Codes of ethics (professional and technical societies)
B. Agreements and contracts
C. Ethical and legal considerations
D. Professional liability
E. Public protection issues (e.g., licensing boards)

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 CHEMICAL
1. The only point of inflection on the curve representing the equation y = x3 + x2 – 3 is at:

2
A. x=- 3

1
B. x=- 3

C. x=0

1
D. x= 3

2. Which of the following occurs in the reaction Cu+2 + Zn → Cu + Zn+2?

A. Only copper is oxidized.

B. Only zinc is oxidized.
C. Both copper and zinc are oxidized.
D. Neither copper nor zinc is oxidized.

3. The pressure of 100 kg of nitrogen (N2) at 70°C in a 100-m3 tank is most nearly:

A. 2,850 kPa
B. 102 kPa
C. 20 kPa
D. 102 mPa

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CHEMICAL

4. Hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) are reacted in a fuel cell to produce energy. The product
of the reaction is water, and any excess gases are vented after the fuel cell, as shown in
the figure below. The hydrogen and oxygen tanks are maintained at the same temperature
and pressure, and they feed at the same volumetric flow rate. The reaction goes to 60%
completion in the fuel cell (hydrogen basis).

If all of the unreacted hydrogen and a portion of the unreacted oxygen are recycled, then
the molar ratio of oxygen in the vent to oxygen in the fresh feed is most nearly:

RECYCLE

H2
FUEL
SEPARATOR VENT
CELL
O2

H2O

A. 0.00
B. 0.50
C. 0.58
D. 0.82

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 CHEMICAL
5. The following figure is the solution of a binary distillation tower design using the
McCabe-Thiele method. The equilibrium curve shown is for Component A. Component A
is separated from B in the distillation column to produce a distillate that is 97 mole% A.
The feed rate to the tower is 100 kmol/hr. The tower includes a partial reboiler and total
condenser. The bottoms flow rate (kmol/hr) is most nearly:

1.0
9
8

0.8
7

6
MOLE FRACTION A, VAPOR

0.6
5

4
0.4
3

2
0.2

0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
MOLE FRACTION A, LIQUID

A. 3.0
B. 42.6
C. 53.8
D. 97.0

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CHEMICAL

6. Operating conditions for a plug-flow reactor for the elementary liquid-phase reaction
A + B → R are as follows:

CAO = 0.10 kmol/m3

CB = 0.10 kmol/m3

V = 0.50 m3

q = 0.20 m3/min

CA (at exit) = 0.40 kmol/m3

The space time (min) for this reactor is most nearly:

A. 0.25
B. 0.40
C. 2.0
D. 2.5

7.
If $500 is invested at an annual interest rate of 8% per year, its future worth at the end of
30 years will be most nearly:

A. $1,200
B. $1,700
C. $5,031
D. $15,000

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 CHEMICAL
8. The volume (L) of 1 mol of H2O at 546 K and 1.00 atm pressure is most nearly:

A. 11.2
B. 14.9
C. 22.4
D. 44.8

9. A chemical plant has a waste stream containing 5% by weight HCl flowing at the rate of
1,000 L/min. Before it can be discharged, it must be neutralized with NaOH. A solution
of NaOH at a strength of 1% by weight is available. Molecular weights are as follows:

NaCl = 58.4
HCl = 36.5
NaOH = 39.9

The specific gravity of the solutions may be assumed to be 1.0. The required flow rate
(L/min) of the NaOH stream is most nearly:

A. 8,900
B. 5,500
C. 4,570
D. 220

10. As a professional engineer originally licensed 30 years ago, you are asked to evaluate
a newly developed computerized control system for a public transportation system.
You may accept this project if:

A. you are competent in the area of modern control systems

B. you do not live in the jurisdiction where the transportation system is being
installed
C. your original area of specialization was in transportation systems
D. you have regularly attended meetings of a professional engineering society

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 Solutions
CHEMICAL

Solutions
1. f(x) = x3 + x2 – 3 Inflection point occurs when f "(x) = 0
1. f(x) = x3 +2 x2 – 3 Inflection point occurs when f "(x) = 0
f '(x) = 3x + 2x
f '(x) = 3x2 + 2x
f "(x) = 6x + 2
f "(x) = 6x + 2
Set equal to zero
Set equal to zero
6x + 2 = 0
6x + 2 = 0
x = –1/3
x = –1/3
f "(x) is negative below x = –1/3 and positive above x = –1/3
f "(x) is negative below x = –1/3 and positive above x = –1/3
Since f "(x) = 0 and f "(x) changes signs at x = –1/3, the inflection point is at x = –1/3.
Since f "(x) = 0 and f "(x) changes signs at x = –1/3, the inflection point is at x = –1/3.
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B

2. Oxidation is defined as the loss of electrons. In this case, Cu+2 → Cu, which gains two
2. Oxidation is defined as the loss of electrons. In this case, Cu +2 → Cu, which gains two electrons,
electrons, and Zn → Zn+2, which loses two electrons. Therefore, only zinc is oxidized.
and Zn → Zn+2, which loses two electrons. Therefore, only zinc is oxidized.
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B

3. Use the ideal gas formula:

3. Use the ideal gas formula:

PV = mRT
mRT
P= V
8, 314 J kmol J
R = kmole·K 28 kg = 297 kg·K

(100 kg) b 297 kg·K l (343 K)

J
P=
100 m3

= 102, 000 J 3
m

= 102, 000 N·m

m3

= 102, 000 N2
m
= 102 kPa

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B

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6
 Solutions
Solutions
Solutions

CHEMICAL
4.
4. Balanced equation: H + 1/2 O
Balanced equation: H
Balanced equation: H + 1/2 O → H
+ 1/2 O → HO
→ H
Solutions
O
O
22 222 222
4. Balanced equation: H
Feed 2 + 1/2 O
characteristics: since
Feed characteristics: since P
Feed characteristics: since P =2 → H
PHHH = P
= P 2O VH
POOO and V
and
and VHH
= = V
= VVOOO and T
and THHH===TTOTOO
and T
222 222 22 22 2 22 2 2 22
Feed characteristics: since P
Therefore, from ideal gas law:
Therefore, from ideal gas law:
Therefore, from ideal gas law: H = PO and VH = VO and TH = TO
2 2 2 2 2 2
Therefore, from ideal gas law:
HH PPHH VoVHo H ==no nHo H RT RTHH no nHo H
RatioOO2 2== 2 2 o o 2 2 2 2 2 2==no no 2 2==1.0
Ratio
Ratio 1.0
H2 22 PPPOHO222VV2H2=2==
no nOonoO2H2RT
RT
RT2H22 nOo OH2 22
2 OO
Ratio O = = =1.0
2 PO2 Vo 2 = no O2 RTO2 no O2
Using
Usingbasis
Using basis of
basis of 1
of mole
11 mole
mole HHH in
in
22 2
in
feed,feed, and
feed,
and at at
and at maximum
maximum H2 H
maximum H2 2recycle, all
recycle,
recycle, the
the hydrogen
all hydrogen
all the hydrogen
wouldwould
would be
be
consumed:
consumed:
be consumed:
Using basis of 1 mole H2 in feed, and at maximum H2 recycle, all the hydrogen would be
consumed:
Balance equation: H2 + 1/2 O
Balance equation: H
Balance equation: H + 1/2 O22 → H
22 + 1/2 O → H22O
2 → H O
2O
Balance equation: H2 + 1/2 O2 → H2O
OO2 2OUT
OUT 0.5 0.5molemole==
Ratio
Ratio
Ratio OO ==1.0 1.0 mole
mole 0.5
0.5
O222IN IN
OUT 0.5 mole
Ratio O = 1.0 mole = 0.5
2 IN

THE
THECORRECT
CORRECTANSWER
ANSWERIS:
IS:BB
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B

5.5.
5. Feed
Feed
Feed===bottoms
bottoms
bottoms++ +distillate
distillate
distillate== =100kg/hr
100kg/hr
100kg/hr
5. Feed diagram,
From
From
From bottoms
=diagram,
diagram, + distillate
mole
mole
mole fraction
fraction
fraction 100kg/hr
=of
ofAA
of Ainin
inthe
thefeed
the feedisis
feed is47%.
47%.
47%.
From
Balance diagram,
Balanceon
Balance onAA
on mole
Agives
gives
gives fraction of A in the feed is 47%.
Balance
47
47
47== ..on
=000.97 97 A++
97DD
D gives
+000.0404BB
..04 B
47
sinceBB
since
since = 0
B== .97
=100 D
100 -DD
100--+ D B
0 . 04
since B =43 43
100
43==-46D
thenDD
then
then D== =93 93
93 46.2..22
= 46
43
then D =100 46.2 53
=46
andBB
and
and B===100100 -46
93-- 46.2..22== 53.8..88
= 53
and B = 100 - 46.2 = 53.8
THE
THECORRECT
CORRECTANSWER ANSWERIS: IS:CC
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: C
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: C
VV 0.50mm3 3
0.50
6.
6. xx==qq== ==2.5
2.5min
min
V 0.20
0.20mm3 3/min
0.50 m 3
/min
6. x=
x =q= = =
= 2.5 min
0.20 m3 /min
THE
THECORRECT
CORRECTANSWER ANSWERIS: IS:DD
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: D

11
77
7
 Solutions
CHEMICAL

7. F
0 1 2 3 30

500
i = 8%

F = 500(F/P, 8%, 30)

= 500 (10.0627)
= $5,031

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: C

8. Pv = nRT
(1)(v) = (1)(0.08206)(546)
v = 44.8 L

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: D

L 1.00 kg 5 kg HCl kmol HCl

9. 1, 000 × L × ×
min 100 kg 36.5 kg HCl
1.00 kg 1kg NaOH kmol NaOH
= F× L × 100 kg × 39.9 kg NaOH
F = 5, 466 L/min

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B

10. Refer to the NCEES Rules of Professional Conduct.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: A

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