TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE

PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL

ENGINEERING

First Term A.Y. 2024 - 2025

In Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements

of the Course, Introduction to Chemical Engineering

Engineering Essentials: Deep Dive into

Problem-Solving and Units of
Measure

Presented by;
Sese, Mary Kezzha
Soria, Anton Gabriel
Valenzuela, Crista

Introduction to Chemical Engineering

CHE 111 – CHE 11S2

Presented to:
Engr. John Edward Dupaya

06 November 2024

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 Table of Contents
Introduction.............................................................................................3
Chapter 3 [and examples] ........................................................ 4 to 6
Chapter 4 [and examples] ........................................................ 7 to 9
Conclusion..............................................................................................10
References..............................................................................................11

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 INTRODUCTION

As chemical engineers, we deal with different chemical reactions to convert raw material to a
new product, or some chemicals to a new product. One conversion process is called combustion,
and this report primarily focuses on the material balance involving combustion. First, let’s define
the term combustion. Combustion is simply the process of burning fuel to produce smoke, heat,
and light. The primary components of combustion are heat, oxygen, and fuel. Or at least this is
what we were taught in our elementary days, but if we take a look deeper, combustion is the
process or the reaction of a fuel or substance combining with oxygen, which then produces gases
like CO2, CO, H2O, and SO2.

Combustion is usually associated with flames, if there’s a flame combustion takes place. Some
examples of combustion are lighting up a candle, burning of wood, explosion of fireworks,
shooting of a gun. As mentioned, basically any reaction where a fire is involved is already
considered a combustion. Combustion is a chemical reaction we see every time, but we may not
know that it is a combustion it is already a combustion. An example of this is vehicles, they burn
petrol or diesel to run. There is also Spontaneous Combustion, where a chemical or material
burns and bursts into flames from the heat produced by itself, or through rapid oxidation. This
phenomenon is unexpected and may have no apparent cause, hence the word spontaneous. An
example of this is forest fires and some mixture of certain chemicals or compounds.

Understanding material balance involving combustion is very significant in chemical engineering

since combustion applies to various fields in the chemical engineering industries. It’s also crucial
in the role of energy production, pollution control, fuel optimization and efficiency, and waste
reduction. Most importantly, it ensures that risks of explosion and accidents are prevented when
dealing with material balance.

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 CHAPTER 3

PROBLEM SOLVING – APPLICATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Chemical Engineers meticulously plan a solution regarding the said problem with several factors
in mind by first getting a clear understanding of the problem they are about to answer before
laying out the several options to solve the problems. Then comes choosing the most efficient and
optimal solution before carrying out evaluations and finally the implementation and checking out
the results. Using graphs, equations and detailed plans, engineers develop proposed solutions that
are attainable as well as structured. With that in mind, Chemical Engineers also maintain a rigid
Ethical Considerations while they aim to solve presented problems emphasized on well-being,
environmental protection, workplace safety and ethical responsibilities. In handling a complex
problem with many factors and variables to oversee, collaboration between a group of engineers
is standard practice, as such, it is imperative that teamwork must be established as well as a good
working relationship with team members to effectively.

Example #1: Scenario involving Ethical Practice

Description and Relevance: In the case of Ethical Considerations, Chemical Engineers

subscribe to a code of ethics that should be followed whenever practical applications and
problems are needed to be resolved. The Code of Ethics upheld by Chemical Engineers
highlights the importance of accountability and responsibility in their profession – namely
environmental and public safety, intellectual property, competence, and confidentiality.

Application: A problem retrieved from a scenario of a flawed design of Shallcross and

Parkinson (2006)[1] observes a discussion regarding the possible outcome and resolution. Their
result finds out that the class had chosen varying choices in regards to its effect to the clients,
coworkers, or the company they are working with.

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Example #2: Problem-solving Strategies

Description and Relevance: Different strategies for problem solving are crucial for engineers
for adaptability and decision-making based on the most optimal solution to the problem.

Application: Turton et. al (1992)[2] formulates in the article that a problem (in which case was a
poorly-designed flowsheet) could and should be improved. As such they remarked that students
must first identify the main problems, the secondary problems not highlighted before offering
new solutions and create new processes to improve on it.

Example #3: Law of Conservation of Mass

Description and Relevance: According to the Law of Conservation, Mass cannot be created or
destroyed in a closed system, only able to transform in another form. As such, the Law of
Conservation of Mass highlights its importance by applications in Process Design, Output
Prediction and Optimization.

Application: Speight (2011)[3], supports this fact as Chemical Engineers emphasizes on large-
scale manufacture while also prioritizing for the maximum yield. A well-calculated material
balance aids in reducing excess material consumption and unnecessary waste disposal, thereby
controlling operational costs. The Law of Conservation also directly relates to the First Law of
Thermodynamics as mass and energy balances are oftentimes performed simultaneously.

Example #4: Process Flow Diagrams

Description and Relevance: Process flow diagrams (PFDs), or also called process flow sheets
allow engineers to have a clear representation of the major components and structures of a
chemical process. It shows the flow of materials and energy as well as a crucial part in designing
and developing sequence of operations, equipment that would be used and proper function of the
intended outcome.

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Application: Sinnott and Towler (2021)[4] provide an example of the importance PFDs bring in
detailed designing instrumentation by arranging equipment that were selected to complete the
process – including the stream connections, flowrates and composition under operating
conditions.

Example #5: Process Design

Description and Relevance: Process design is the backbone for having a safe, efficient, and
cost- effective chemical processes. Chemical Engineers rely on it for optimizing the resources at
hand as well as subscribing to sustainability, innovation, flexibility, and regulation compliance.

Application: Sinnott (2014)[5] highlights the different objectives of a process design – citing it to
have a specific objective in mind before evaluating on different ways to develop a project. He
also remarks that to have a successful design process, one must have a statement of requirements,
the needs and wants of a product as well as selection and eventually the optimization of the final
yield.

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 CHAPTER 4

PHYSICAL QUANTITIES – VARIABLES, FACTORS, AND

COMPOSITION

Any chemical processes are composed with different process variables, as such, understanding
physical quantities and values of these variables is necessary. This chapter explains the terms of
measurement, dimensions, and units, as well as the conversion factor that are used in any
operations.

Dimensions are described as the parameters or the basis of physical quantity. Parameters such as
length, mass, time, and temperature are the most used and common of such dimensions. Units on
the other hand are the standard representation of such dimensions, using seconds (s) to measure
time, meters (m) to measure length, kilograms (kg) to measure mass and Kelvin (K) for
temperature. A system of units is a standardized collection of units of measurement employed in
determining the physical properties such as length, mass, time, temperature, and other
fundamental quantities. The International System of Units (SI) and American Engineering (AE)
System are two of the most used systems for measuring quantities. The SI Units are often
described as fundamental units and are enumerated in: Length in meters (m), Mass in kilograms
(kg), Time in seconds (s), Electric current in Ampere (A), Temperature in Kelvin (K), Amount of
substance in Moles (mol) and Luminous intensity in candela (cd).

To translate one unit of measurement to another, conversion factors are applied to ensure the
consistency and accuracy of values. It is also used in simplifying operations and equations to
provide the needed results in the required measurement.

Derived units, from what the name suggests, are created through the combination of two or more
fundamental units through physical relationships. They are indication of additional and larger
physical dimensions like pressure, force, velocity, and energy, which are dependent on multiple
fundamental quantities as stated above.

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Example #1: Density as a process variable

Description and Relevance: Density is often termed as the mass in a volume of a material.
Density is often used to identify different materials and choosing a material with the appropriate
density is often required in designing structures or solving complex operations. One such
example of this application is utilization of liquid fuel – including formulation and blending of
said fuels. It can also be used as quality control to be in par with specifications in the industry.

Application: Zhang et. al (2018)[6] corroborates in this statement as their study highlights density
as one of their most important features in the synthesis of liquid fuels. An attractive property of
their subject matter [hypergolic fuels] includes high density in the success of their practical
application.

Example #2: Mixture Composition

Description and Relevance: The composition in a mixture refers to the proportions of

components present within it. Since mixture consists of solid, liquid and gas matters, identifying
the composition boils down to how much substance is present in the mixture.

Application: An obvious example with mixture composition is highlighted in material balances

– such as flowrates, mass basis, mole requirements such to name a few. Richards (2001)[7]
acquires specific compositions in a mass and mole basis using the fundamentals of mixture
composition and readily applies the equations to yield the appropriate answer.

Example #3: Importance of Dimensional Analysis

Description and Relevance: Dimensional Analysis is a concept that explores relationships

between units and perform calculations and equations are identical, matching and sound. The
units or terms in each equation must be compatible and consistent with one another. A notable
importance of this application is the equations derived from models and simulations that are
being developed by Chemical Engineers.

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Application: Dimensional analysis allows for reasoning about systems or devices without
explicitly knowing the regularities that govern them, requiring mere information of relevant
variables and the dimension represented. Understanding the relevant variables is frequently
dependent on recognizing which formulas or process will be involved. (Van Brakel, 2000)[8].

Example #4: The Value of Moles

Description and Relevance: By description, a mole is the standard unit that measures quantities
of smaller particles such as atoms, molecules, ions or even particles. Mole and the mole concept
are two of the most common and basic principles that chemistry abide in. Moles are often used in
stoichiometry to balance different chemical equations.

Application: Mole calculation is utilized in various degrees in both engineering and scientific
experimentation – one such application is the designing of chemical reactors. Hill et. al (2014)[9],
makes an example of this by using stoichiometry concepts in the reactor process.

Example #5: Flow Rate

Description and Relevance: Flow rate is the amount of fluid that flows through a specific point
per unit of time; the flow rate concept is very important in design, control and optimization
process operations that are needed.

Application: Hill et. al (2014)[9], affirms the statement by using the flow rate as a factor in
chemical reactors – including conversion rates, product yields, process efficiency and reaction
kinetics just to name a few.

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 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this part of the paper is about Module 11: Material Balance Involving
Combustion. It discusses what is combustion, examples of combustion, its significance, and
examples of material balance involving combustion. The definition of combustion and examples
of word problem computation of material balance involving combustion is helpful in
understanding its significance in the field of chemical engineering and its application.
Furthermore, this paper helps as an introduction to chemical engineering students for their more
complicated lessons ahead. This can serve as their reference and review for their future studies.

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 REFERENCES

[1] Kondratiev, V. N. (2024, October 3). Combustion | Definition, Reaction, Analysis, & Facts.
Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/combustion

[2] Stile Education. (2017, January 6). What is combustion? [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd1alir07q4

[3] Matt Davis. (2019, November 25). Spontaneous Combustion Episode 4 [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWJ3W-CI5Ss

[4]

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