Conference Session

"How Do We Compare?" - Students, Case Studies, and Learning Approaches

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christi P Patton Luks, University of Tulsa

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

ofstudent involvement, classroom morale, and, ultimately, the learning that occurred in my classes.In Fall 2012, I had the opportunity to teach two sections of a junior-level heat transfer courseusing different pedagogies: (1) the traditional, lecture-based approach with some active-learningand (2) a modified PBL approach. My modified course alternates mini-lectures and studentproblems in a "leap frog" style. This class meets for 3 hours, once a week. Lectures are very briefand dispersed throughout the class meeting time. Students work problems and conduct briefexperiments in class. Their results are shared and unusual results are discussed. Lecture timehelps summarize these results and propel the class to the next topic. Homework reflects

Conference Session

Grasping the "Concept"

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rajesh V Shende, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

posttest scores significantly improved after the administration of conceptgroup exercises. The answers obtained from the groups were discussed in the class and thosegroups with incorrect answers were helped by the instructor and other student groups. Thesuccessful outcome of this effort was that the entire class reasonably attained the same level ofunderstanding of the subject matter.1. IntroductionContinuous learning improvement is highly desired to develop thorough understanding of thesubject matter, which can be achieved by active/collaborative learning strategies. Collaborativelearning concepts involving the grouping and pairing of students for the purpose of achieving anacademic goal has been researched and promoted throughout the education

Conference Session

Using Communication and Writing Techniques to Improve Student Learning

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kevin D. Dahm, Rowan University; Stephanie Farrell, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

 who wasn’t really contributing to the team would be unable to articulate how the team solved a problem.  The following sections present efforts to assess the effectiveness of using  Page 23.467.3the abstracts. Experimental and Control Groups In 2011, Principles of Chemical Processes I was taught in a single section, and 40 students completed the course.  In 2012, the course was taught in two sections: section 1, with 24 students, was taught by the 2011 instructor, and section 2, with 27 students, was taught by an instructor who had never taught the course before.  Since the 2011 cohort was not required to complete homework problem

Conference Session

Perspectives and Approaches to Teaching Simulation and Design-Based Courses

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rebecca K. Toghiani, Mississippi State University; Hossein Toghiani, Mississippi State University; Larry Everett Pearson, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

withemphasis on numerical analysis and numerical methods and a 1 credit hour laboratory added tothe existing Process Design course where process simulation would be explored. However, thisapproach resulted in a disconnect between the calculations/concepts learned in earlier coursesand learning how they are implemented in the process simulation software. Within the processsimulation laboratory, there was not sufficient time to review the calculations/concepts learnedearlier as well as provide instruction regarding use of process simulator for design-orientedactivities.Approach to Incorporating Process Simulation Activities into a CurriculumThe structure of process simulation software lends itself to a distributed instructional approach.Since each

Conference Session

Real and Virtual - "New" Approaches to Teaching "Old" Courses

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jason M. Keith, Mississippi State University; Gerald C Nelson, Mississippi State University; Abby Thompson, Mississippi State University ; John Louis Gazzini, Nimbus Mobile LLC; Read Sprabery, Computer Engineering at Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

(1) xThe convective heat transfer rate qh external to an object is also given in units ofW/m2 and is governed by the magnitude of the heat transfer coefficient h and thetemperature difference between the surface temperature T and the temperature of thefluid Tf. qh  h(T  T f ) (2)Extrapolating the concept to transient conduction leads to significant complicationsfor the student. In addition to the thermal conductivity, the material density and heatcapacity are important parameters. Visualizing the impact of the solution with changesin different parameters is also challenging. The most common system is a large flatplate of thickness 2L, with the system

Conference Session

"Modular" Learning

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Qinghua He, Tuskegee University; Rong Zhang, Auburn University; Jin Wang, Auburn University; Frank Leonard Armstead III, Tuskegee University; Rong Zhu Walburn; Donald Ray Johnson Jr; Julius Lenard Taylor II, Tuskegee University Research Assistant

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

Integrating Biofuel Education into Chemical Engineering Curriculum Q. Peter He1*, Rong Zhang2, Jin Wang2*, Frank Armstead III1, Rong Walburn2, Julius L. Taylor1 and Donald R. Johnson1 1 Department of Chemical Engineering Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088 2 Department of Chemical Engineering Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849Abstract: In view of potential demand for skilled engineers and competent researchers in thebiofuel field, we have identified a significant gap between advanced biofuel research andundergraduate

Conference Session

Perspectives and Approaches to Teaching Simulation and Design-Based Courses

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard Turton P.E., West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

semester of 2012. The outline of the course is shown in Table 1. Table1: Course Outline for Chemical Process Simulation Course Week Topics Problem Set Course introduction Introduction to steady-state simulators 1 Structure of software interface Setting up a simulation Specifying conditions and thermodynamics Regressing thermodynamic data 2 Solution methods 1 Specifying equipment parameters

Conference Session

Using Communication and Writing Techniques to Improve Student Learning

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Taryn Melkus Bayles, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

semester a course objectives worksheet is provided to each student whichindicates the ABET criteria which will be covered over the course of the semester. Although is itunlikely that a single freshman engineering course can prepare students to satisfy ABET criteria,it is a useful tool to gauge students’ progress in their ability to utilize key engineering conceptsand thought process. To this end, students are asked to provide a self-assessment, via a survey oftheir progress in key ABET areas, which were part of the course. Course survey results fromthree semesters are provided in Table 1 (the author was the course instructor for each of thesesemesters). This data is used to assess if there was a difference in the student’s perception of

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering Poster Session & Unit Operations Lab Bazaar

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

William M. Clark, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

Figure 1, the heart of the apparatus is a 10 foot section of ¼ inch schedule 40stainless steel, straight, horizontal pipe and a differential pressure gage for studying pressuredrop at various flow conditions. Compressed air from our house air line (usually between 65 and75 psig) is regulated at pressures up to 60 psig as it enters the system. Flows up to 11 SCFM arepossible depending on the operating pressure and are established via a combination of pressureregulator and flow control valve settings. Also shown in Figure 1, are four flow meters, aninline heater, a PID temperature controller, a vortex tube, and a turbine that have been includedto facilitate a variety of further studies. This equipment was relatively inexpensive as shown inthe

Conference Session

"Modular" Learning

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Priscilla J Hill, Mississippi State University; Carlen Henington, Mississippi State University ; Rebecca K. Toghiani, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

A, B A, B, C A, B, C B B B B, C C B, C C (a) (b)Figure 1. Two sets of distillation sequences including (a) a traditional sequence with threesimple columns, and (b) a fully coupled sequence as represented by the Petlyuk columnarrangement

Conference Session

Bringing Industrial Applications into the Classroom

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Emilia Golebiowska; Giovanni Kelly II; Yassir M. Samra; James P Abulencia, Manhattan College

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

Page 23.189.5of soap needed to provide the college with soap for a year. The relevant data for the cost analysisis shown in Table 1. Table 1. Cost to Produce Liquid Soap on Campus Item Quantity Price Total Plastic Soap Dispenser 75 $3 $225 Total Packaging Costs $225 Glycerin 500 L $0 $0 Water 250 L $0 $0 Potassium hydroxide (2lbs) 60 $8 $480 Lavender Scent (1lb) 16 $27

Conference Session

ChemE Potpourri

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David L. Silverstein, University of Kentucky; Lisa G. Bullard, North Carolina State University; Margot A. Vigeant, Bucknell University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

% of schoolsresponding had one course.Course TimingThe most common timing for the first course in MEB within a program’s curriculum was at thestart of the sophomore year. The distribution of the timing of course offerings is given in Figure1 below. Table 1 reports the course timing on a historical basis. Term of First Course % of responding schools 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Second First term, Second First term, Third term term, First- Second-year term, Senior senior

Conference Session

New Classrooms, New Challenges I: Novel Approaches to Courses

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ramirez Apud Lopez Zaira, Universidad de las Américas Puebla; Nelly Ramirez-Corona, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla; Aurelio Lopez-Malo, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla; Enrique Palou, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

engineering (ChE) students developthe knowledge and skills to design and operate chemical reactors in two senior courses, the firstone entitled Kinetics and Homogeneous Reactor Design (IQ-407) and the second one Catalysisand Heterogeneous Reactor Design (IQ408). Heterogeneous reactors using solid catalyzers arethe most common reaction technology implemented on industrial scale; catalytic models are builtusing the same basic concepts that those used in homogeneous reactor design, for this reason it isindispensable that students acquire a solid knowledge from their first course of reactor design.The first course (IQ-407) is focused on the first four pillars mentioned above and its outcomesinclude that students will be able to: 1) determine reaction

Conference Session

ChemE Potpourri

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joshua A. Enszer, University of Maryland Baltimore County; Victoria E. Goodrich, University of Notre Dame; Rachel B. Getman, Clemson University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

learning.Dr. Victoria E. Goodrich, University of Notre DameDr. Rachel B. Getman, Clemson University Page 25.742.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 Improvements in Computational Methods Courses in Chemical EngineeringAbstractAs more core courses in the undergraduate curriculum require significant ability using computerskills, we see a need for improved methods of instruction in computer methods courses requiredin the chemical engineering curriculum. It is important to provide students with a series ofapproaches and activities that ensure (1) that students

Conference Session

New Classrooms, New Challenges I: Novel Approaches to Courses

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Janet L. de Grazia, University of Colorado, Boulder; John L. Falconer, University of Colorado, Boulder; Garret Nicodemus, University of Colorado, Boulder; Will Medlin, University of Colorado, Boulder

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

and enhancing the effect of the learning experience.1. J. Bergmann, A. Sams, The Flipped Classroom Blog, http://blendedclassroom.blogspot.com/2. J. Bergmann, A. Sams, Remixing the Chemistry Class, Learning and Leading with Technology 1, 22 - 27 (2008).3. J. Sweller, J.J.G. van Merrienboer, F.G.W.S. Paas, Cognitive Architecture and Instructional Design, Ed. Psych.Rev., 10, 251-296 (1998)4. R.C. Clark, Leveraging multi-media for learning: Use instructional methods proven to align with natural learningprocesses, Adobe Systems Inc. White Paper (2007)5. R.C. Clark, R.E. Mayer, e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers andDesigners of Multimedia Learning, John Wiley and Sons, San Francisco (2011)6. D.A. Muller

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

S. Patrick Walton, Michigan State University; Amanda Portis Malefyt, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

multiplesolutions until they have answered the question correctly, albeit with reduced credit for eachanswer after the first. In this way, the online system drives the students towards mastery learningrather than to maximizing partial credit. However, because of the nature of the online interface,there are aspects of problem solving, e.g., drawing process flow diagrams, that are not effectivelytested using the software. Thus, students were instructed to emphasize these aspects of problemsolving in the written assignments.The structure of the homework process was as follows (Figure 1). Homework from the textbookwas assigned initially and was due prior to the material being discussed in lecture. Thus, studentshad to rely on the textbook, the professor and TA

Conference Session

New Classrooms, New Challenges II: Assessing Non-traditional Approaches

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tracy Q. Gardner, Colorado School of Mines; Susan E. Kowalski, Colorado School of Mines; Frank V. Kowalski, Colorado School of Mines

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

Interactive Simulations Coupled with Real-Time Formative Assessment to Enhance Student LearningAbstract:An innovative pedagogical method of coupling interactive computer simulations (sims) withreal-time formative assessment using pen-enabled mobile technology was used to improvelearning gains in two core Chemical Engineering courses – Fluid Mechanics and ProcessDynamics and Control. Students’ understanding of concepts, calculations, etc. demonstrated bythe simulations was tested 1) with pretests before they saw the sims (PRE), 2) after independentfree play with the sims (AFP), and 3) after instructor guided play (AGP) with the sims in class.From experimenting with the sims on their own, with instructions that they were to fully

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Polly R. Piergiovanni, Lafayette College

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

Langmuirisotherm. Background information for the instructor is available in many chemicalengineering textbooks2,3 and can be presented in a simplified manner for these students.The Freundlich isotherm is introduced as an empirical model (equation (1)) where qe Page 25.853.2represents the amount of dye adsorbed at equilibrium, Ce represents the concentration ofdye in the bulk fluid at equilibrium, and k and n are parameters that depend on theadsorbate and adsorbent. 1 qe = k Ce n (1)The equation can be linearized and the temperature dependent constants k and 1/n foundby

Conference Session

New Ideas for the ChemE Core

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Margot A. Vigeant, Bucknell University; Michael J. Prince, Bucknell University; Katharyn E. K. Nottis, Bucknell University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

 inventory  scores  another  10  percentage  points  over  lecture  alone.    In  the  following  paper,  we  will  present  a  summary  of  each  activity  and  its  implementation,  as  well  as  further  evidence  for  the  effectiveness  of  the  approach.        Introduction    Meaningful  learning  requires  that  students  master  concepts,  not  simply  memorize  facts.    Understanding  concepts  and  the  connections  among  concepts  is  one  of  the  primary  distinctions  between  experts  and  novices  [1,  2].  Conceptual  understanding  is  also  a  prerequisite  for  transfer  of  classroom  learning  to  new  settings  [1,  2].    While  the  importance  of  conceptual  learning  is  widely  recognized,  an  extensive  body  of

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael A. Collura, University of New Haven; W. David Harding, University of New Haven

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

new multidisciplinary approach, students first take a broad coursebased on the conservation and accounting approach applied to mass, energy, charge andmomentum (EAS211). Chemical engineering students follow this with a course that appliesmass and energy balances to more complex systems of particular interest to chemical engineers(CM220 – Process Analysis). The table below provides a comparison of the sophomore coursesin the old and new curriculum: Table 1 – comparison of multidisciplinary curriculum to traditional curriculum Old Curriculum New Curriculum CM201 Process variables, EAS211 Introduction to

Conference Session

New Ideas for the ChemE Core

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Fabiana Manzo, University of Houston (CoE); Vassilios Tzouanas, University of Houston, Downtown; Enrique Barbieri, University of North Texas

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

m-xylene was also studied by Cheng and Luyben1 froma steady state point of view. Initially, it was verified that the original case 8 of the Cheng/Luybenstudy was the least energy consuming heat integrated column arrangement. AspenPlus was usedto perform the steady state analysis and process arrangement selection. This step of the study wasconducted by undergraduate students at the University of Houston – Downtown in partialfulfillment of the requirements of the Process Design and Operation course, ENGR 4402. Page 25.944.2The process configuration is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1: Case-8 Process Configuration in Aspen

Conference Session

Best. Class. Ever.

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bernard J. Van Wie, Washington State University; David B. Thiessen, Washington State University; Marc Compere, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ., Daytona Beach FL; Ximena Toro; Jennifer C Adam, Washington State University; Shane A. Brown P.E., Washington State University; Andrew P Easley, Washington State University; Xuesong Li P.E., Washington State University; Kevin Lee, University of Idaho; Mert Colpan, Washington State University; Kevin Tyler Gray, Washington State University; Benjamin Garrett, Washington State University; Shane Riley Reynolds, Washington State University; Paul B. Golter, Washington State University; Olusola Adesope, Washington State University, Pullman

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

model with a crop growth model to explore how projected climate change will impact water resources availability for irrigation and crop yield under various socio-economic scenarios. She teaches 3 courses: (1) a required undergraduate-level course in Water Resources Engineering in which she is researching the use of hands-on inquiry-based learning in the classroom; (2) a senior elective course in Sustainable Development in Water Resources, which ex- plores the concepts needed to understand how to more sustainability manage our limited water resources in the western US under increasing pressures, particularly climate change; (3) and a graduate-level course in Hydroclimatology, which is a primarily student-led course

Conference Session

New Ideas for the ChemE Core

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rebecca K. Toghiani, Mississippi State University; Carlen Henington, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

American Society for Engineering Education, 2012Novel Chemical Reactors in the CHE Curriculum: An Instructional Module Page 25.982.2AbstractFor the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, chemical reactions are often carriedout in batch rather than continuous mode. Novel alternatives are the spinning disk reactor [1] andthe rotating packed bed reactor [2]. These reactors utilize high gravity to enhance mass transferin the reactor, leading to significant performance improvements over batch reactors. This modulewill provide instruction on the phenomena exploited to achieve the improvements in the reactorand its basic configuration. An overview of technology

Conference Session

Best. Class. Ever.

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Priscilla J. Hill, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

, crystallization is usually neglecteddespite the fact that it is a key process for forming particles and controlling their properties. In2006, it was noted that crystallization can be incorporated into existing courses to address thelack of crystallization education13. Page 25.1020.3Course ImplementationA new course in Particle and Crystallization Technology (PACT) was taught during the Spring2007 and Spring 2009 semesters as a split level elective class. During the Spring 2007 semesterthere were 15 juniors and seniors, and 2 graduate students; and in the Spring 2009 semester therewere 21 juniors and seniors, and 1 graduate student. The graduate level

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering Education: Upperclass Years

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Monica Cox, Purdue University; Angie Andriot, Purdue University; Stephen Beaudoin, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

, background noises, andpauses in conversation. Transcripts were then read and organized into coding categories using anemergent theme system.ResultsGeneral Student Responses to ProgramWhen asked to identify positive aspects of the research experience, students identified severalelements (Table 1). Responses given by the most students related to community (i.e., amongstudents and faculty) and beginning the process of research. All but two students felt theirresearch skills evolved during the summer. Students felt they gained valuable skills such asknowing how to work independently, to design and carry out a research project, and to thinkcritically. One of the two students who did not particularly like his research experience attributedthis to spending

Conference Session

Demonstration and Project Enhancements in Chemical Engineering Education

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Allen Yang, Cornell University; Kathryn Dimiduk, Cornell University; Susan Daniel, Cornell University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

them. The remainingstudents indicated that they were attracted to this profession because of a specific interest inchemistry and mathematics, or other specialized interests.Free response question: What career path(s) are you interested in?Table 1 summarizes the student responses to this second question. Unlike the numbers in theabstract, which were rounded off percentages for the entire class, these numbers are percentagesof the respondents whose answer included a career in the category.Table 1. Student Career Interests(Totals exceed 100% as some students listed more than one career choice) Career Interests Percent of Respondents Biology related (pharmaceutical, biomedical

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering Education: Underclass Years

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kwannin Kuo, Lunghwa University of Science and Technology; Pao-Chi Chen, Lunghwa University Science and Technology; Meei-Ruey Hsu, Ming-Chuan University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

the assessment outcomes associated with theimportance index of fundamental chemistry knowledge could be applied in the evaluation of Page 15.1327.2current curriculum design for chemical engineering education as well as in the improvementof lecturers’ instructions by means of the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) methods. IPA was proposed by Martilla & James (1977). They plotted a two-axis figure with fourquadrants as illustrated as Figure 1. One dimension represents “importance,” another“performance.” The four quadrants are characterized as “Concentrate here” (high importance,low performance), “Keep up the good work” (high importance

Conference Session

Demonstration and Project Enhancements in Chemical Engineering Education

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Polly Piergiovanni, Lafayette College; J. Ronald Martin, Lafayette College

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

with the last sample. The finalconcentration of alcohol in the fermenting solution was measured with an ethanol sensormanufactured by Pasco Scientific. The sensor was calibrated so the students measured theconcentration in g alcohol/liter.Results from the experimentTypical experimental results are shown in Table 1. The cell concentrations were calculated fromthe turbidity using the following previously developed equation: g cells/liter = 0.0204*NTU -0.035 A plot of ln(cell concentration) vs. time is shown in Figure 1 along with the results of a linear Page 15.580.3regression.Table 1. Student results.Time

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering Education: Upperclass Years

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lisa Bullard, North Carolina State University; David Ollis, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

used approach is toutilize a first year course, either within the department or at the college level. 1-5 Depending onthe resources available on campus, departments may choose to “outsource” this material byhaving students taking a technical writing, public speaking class, and/or engineering ethics classthrough the English or Communications Departments. Some departments choose to integratethis material within existing courses, such as senior design or labs, as evidenced by “writingacross the curriculum” efforts. 6 Finally, a few departments have a dedicated course later in thecurriculum, but this is not as common due to the demands of the curriculum. 7 (Add otherliterature from Dave’s folder)In this paper we describe a one unit junior/senior

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering Education: Upperclass Years

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lisa Bullard, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

traditionallecture content as well as a capstone project. Academic content typically includesflowsheet synthesis and development, process simulation, process economics, andequipment design/heuristics. Depending on the background of the instructor and whetherthe course is one or two semesters, a laundry list of additional topics might includesustainability and “green design” concepts,1 process safety, 2 Good ManufacturingPractice, Six Sigma,3 optimization,4 selecting materials of construction, reading P&ID’s,heat exchanger network or reactor network synthesis, environmental regulations,engineering ethics, batch scheduling, and product design.5 Senior design is also the lastopportunity to reinforce “soft skills” such as teamwork6,7 and communication.8