The Department of Chemical Engineering offers students a unique learning experience with its world-class Unit Operations Laboratory and Process Simulation and Control Center (PSCC).
The facility boasts 6,500 square feet and a three-story open bay dedicated to chemical-processing education.
The laboratory features 13 bench and pilot-plant-scale unit-operations experiments focused on heat exchange, membrane separation, kinetics, liquid extraction, vacuum drying, and flow measurement, among other chemical processes. Students gain hands-on experience with two fully automated pilot plants. They include a three-story distillation column (solvent recovery unit) and a two-story batch reactor. The PSCC is equipped with a DeltaVTM control system.
This unique facility affords students the opportunity to learn in a real-world chemical-processing work environment providing a practical, hands-on experience. Two exciting capstone courses for chemical engineering seniors, along with part of the process control lab, take place in the lab. These courses allow students to build teamwork skills in a state-of-the-art learning complex. Process safety is emphasized in the laboratory.
Preparing Chemical Engineers for Industry
Multistory Learning Complex
Safety glasses and hard hats are required at all times in this real-world chemical-processing-focused laboratory. The complex offers over 6,500 square feet of learning area in a multistory arrangement.
Hands-On Chemical Engineering Education
Chemical engineering students focus on operating a computer-controlled shell and tube heat exchanger. The Unit Operations Lab provides students with many industrially relevant learning opportunities.
Liquid Extraction Experiment
Students equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) operate a liquid extraction unit. Proper process safety gear and practices are emphasized in the lab.
World-Class Operations Experience
Chemical engineering seniors learn the intricacies of chemical process units. Here, a student team carefully monitors reactant concentrations in a reactor system.
Go with the Flow
A student gains hands-on experience with state-of-the-art flow measurement equipment. Practical skills such as these prove to be indispensable on a graduate's first job in industry.
Seniors Are All Smiles
Senior students satisfied with the performance of a liquid-extraction column pose for the camera. With experience that prepares them to hit the ground running, seniors in the chemical engineering program have much to smile about.
Teamwork Is Key
Students work in teams to safely operate pilot-plant-scale equipment, such as the constant and variable speed centrifugal pumps pictured here, in a lab with a view.
