VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

529-0643-01L 6 Credits MSC D-CHAB , D-MAVT , D-ITET
You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Process Design and Development

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Gonzalo Guillén Gosálbez
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:29:43

Abstract

The course is focused on the design of Chemical Processes, with emphasis on the preliminary stages of the design approach, where process creation and quick selection among many alternatives are important. The main concepts behind more detailed process design and process simulation are also examined.

Objective

The course is focused on the design of Chemical Processes, with emphasis on the preliminary stage of the design approach, where process creation and quick selection among many alternatives are important. The main concepts behind more detailed process design and process simulation are also examined.

Content

Process creation: heuristics vs. mathematical programming. Heuristics for reaction and separation operations, heat transfer and pressure change. Introduction to optimization in process engineering and the modeling software GAMS. Process economic evaluation: equipment sizing and costing, time value of money, cash flow calculations. Process environmental evaluation: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Process integration: sequencing of distillation columns using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), and synthesis of heat exchanger networks using mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP). Batch processes: scheduling, sizing, and inventories. Principles of molecular design using mixed-integer programming.

Resources

Lecture Notes

no script

Literature

Main books 1. Biegler, L.T., Grossmann, I.E., Westerberg, A.W. Systematic methods of chemical process design, Prentice Hall International PTR (1997). 2. Douglas, J.M. Conceptual design of chemical processes, McGraw-Hill (1988). 3. Seider, W.D., Seader, J.D., Lwin, D.R., Widagdo, S. Product and process design principles: synthesis, analysis, and evaluation, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2010). 4. Sinnot, R.K., Towler, G. Chemical Engineering Design, Butterworth-Heinemann (2009). 5. Smith, R. Chemical process design and integration, Wiley (2005). Other references 6. Edgar, T. F., Himmelblau, D. M. Optimization of chemical process, Mcgraw Hill Chemical Engineering Series (2001). 7. Haydary, J. Chemical Process Design and Simulation, Wiley (2019). 8. Turton, R., Shaeiwitz, A., Bhattacharyya, D., Whiting, W. Synthesis and Design of Chemical Processes, Prentice Hall (2013). 9. Klöpffer, W., Grahl, B. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A Guide to Best Practice, Wiley (2014).

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 180 minutes
Aids
All learning material (books, lecture notes, personal notes etc.) and calculation means (calculators, scientific calculators, personal laptops etc.) are allowed
The compulsory continuous performance assessment is based on a set of exercises that represent 20% of the total mark. The compulsory continuous performance assessment task needs not to be passed on its own. The module is passed with 4 out of 6 points (i.e., 60 out of 100), where the total mark comes from the exam (80%) and the coursework (20%).

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Process Design and Development
  • Tue 09:45-11:30 (HCI D 8)
  • Wed 12:45-13:30 (HCI H 2.1)
3 h weekly

Offered In