Master Course’s Description

 

CHE 525: Materials Engineering                                                       3(3+1)

Structure and properties of materials. Structure and properties of alloys: various phase diagrams for ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. Use of X-ray and SEM in materials engineering. Fabrication process of materials. Joining process of materials. Deformation and fracture of materials.

 

CHE 526: Corrosion and Its Control                                                3(2+2)

Electrochemical nature of corrosion. Corrosion cells, and thermodynamics of corrosion reaction, potential/pH diagram. Types of corrosion. Environments: Atmosphere, underground, boilers and water environment. Metallurgical aspects of corrosion: structure of metals and alloys in relating to corrosion. Stress corrosion cracking. Effect of heat treatment. Effect of hydrogen on ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Corrosion control: design in relation to corrosion, design in chemical engineering: inhibitors, metallic coatings, inorganic coatings, organic coatings, cathodic and anodic protection. Corrosion testing.

 

 CHE 527: Corrosion in Oil and Gas Industries                                3(3+0)

Thermodynamics and kinetics of corrosion. Metallurgical aspects. Suitable materials. Corrosion monitoring. Pipeline corrosion. Stress corrosion. Cracking and failure analysis.  Microbiological corrosion.  Corrosion protection and control.

 

 CHE 535: Membrane Technology                                                    3(3+0)

Membrane structure and function. Manufacture of membranes. Characterization. Selection and use of membrane systems. Applications of membrane separation in various chemical, petrochemical, biochemical and water treatment processes.

 

 CHE  536: NanoTechnology and NanoMaterials                             3(3+1)

Introduction to concepts of nanotechnology in view of the construction and utilization of functional structures designed from atomic or molecular scale. Introduction to quantum mechanics.   Phenomenal at nanoscale.  Introduction to Nanomaterials.  Overview of general synthesis and processing strategies and requirements: CVD, MOCVD, soft lithography, dip-pen lithography and self-assembly. Overview of some nanomaterials which have been synthesized for certain applications in nanotechnology: nanocatalysis, electronic materials, electrocatalysis and fuel cells, carbon nano tubnes and other applications in polymers and biotechnology fields. Characterization of nanomaterials.

 

CHE 537: Oxidation at High Temperatures                                    3(3+0)

Oxidation of metals: description of oxidation process experimental rate laws. Parabolic oxidation. Material transport through scales. Defect structure of oxides. Ionic conduction and semi-conduction. Formation of layered scales.  Oxidation of alloys: the Wagner-Hanffee theory. Selective oxidation and diffusion in the underlying alloys. Internal oxidation. Spinal formation. Formation of composite scales. Stress generation and relief in growing oxide scales.

 

CHE  538:  Electrochemical Engineering                                          3(3+1)

Thermodynamics of electrochemical systems. Electrochemical kinetics of electrode processes. Mass Transfer aspects of electrochemical systems. Applications include: corrosion, fuel cells, electro deposition, electrolytic hydrogen production and electrochemical wastewater treatment.

 

CHE 539 : Selected Topics in Materials Engineering                      3(3+0)

Advanced topics in selected areas of materials engineering are covered.

 

CHE 540: Thermal Separation Processes                                         3(3+0)

Overview of thermal separation processes specially those used in desalination. Theoretical principles of the process. Principles of desalination system operation, system design, evaluation of the economics of the process. Physical, phisico-chemical and chemical engineering fundamentals of thermal separation processes. Phase equilibrium: vapor-liquid, liquid-liquid, liquid-solid, gas-solid. Principles and general procedure to design thermal separation processes equipment. Mathematical description of heat and mass transfer processes. Thermal separation processes modes. Process efficiency. Description of the common interface of thermal desalination with associated power plants in various configurations.

 

CHE 543: Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics     3(3+0)

Thermodynamic analysis of processes. Availability concept. Engineering equations of state for PVT properties. Generalized property relations for homogenous phases. Departure functions. Equilibrium and stability in one component systems. Thermodynamic of multicomponent systems. Phase equilibria in mixture by  equations of state. Activity models. Vapor-liquid equilibrium. Liquid/liquidequilibrium. Vapor/liquid/liquid equilibrium. Solid/liquid equilibrium. Solid/vapor equilibrium.Equilibrium adsorption of gases and solids. Osmotic equilibrium. Chemical-reaction equilibria. Association and solvation.

 

CHE 544: Advanced Reaction Engineering                                     3(3+0)

External and internal resistance (non-isothermal pellets). Fixed bed reactors (isothermal and non-isothermal). Fluidized bed reactors (isothermal and non-isothermal). Other types of multiphase reactors. Polymerization reactors, multiplicity of steady states.

 

CHE 545: Advanced Transport Phenomena 1                                 3(3+0)

Transport in laminar flow. Transport in turbulent flow. Transport between two phases. Transport by radiation. Transport in large flow systems.

 

CHE 546: Advanced Transport Phenomena 2                                 3(3+0)

Advanced topics in momentum, mass and heat transfer.

 

CHE 547: Advanced Separation Processes                                      3(3+0)

 Theory and computational approach in the design of multi-component separation processes. Energy requirement . Capacity and efficiency of  contacting devices: single stage and cascaded absorption. Adsorption. Extraction. Distillation. Filtration. Ion Exchange.  Crystallization processes. Low temperatures distillation and partial condensation.

 

CHE 548: Multiphase Flow                                                            3(3+0)

Analysis of two phase flows of gases, liquids and solids. Single-particle and multiparticle systems. Fluidized beds. Bubble beds. Drop beds. Slug flow. Annular flow.

 

CHE  549: Combustion Engineering and Furnaces                       3(3+0)  

Introduction to combustion. Natural gas and liquid petroleum fuels. Energy balance equations. Turbulence characteristics. Chemical and thermal equilibrium. Flame temperatures. Models of combustion processes including reacting flow systems. Energy and efficiency calculations. Radiation. Furnace and combustion chamber design.  Combustion processes pertinent to Saudi Arabia: desalination, power generation, building materials  industries.

 

CHE 550: Catalysis in Chemical Reactors                                        3(3+0)

Characterization and Selection. Catalysts definition and properties. Catalysts characterization techniques and equipment. Analysis of heterogeneous reactions. Supported catalysts. Diffusion in porous catalysts. Catalyst deactivation. Advanced topics on external and internal resistance.

 

CHE 552: Petrochemical Processes                                                    3(3+1)

Overview of the petrochemical processes and their importance. Feedstocks from oil and natural gas for petrochemical processes. Examples from the key petrochemical processes such as steam reforming plants, olefin plants, aromatic plants, ammonia, urea, fertilizers, methanol, and polymerization plants …etc. Application of software packages.

 

CHE 553: Advanced Petroleum refining Engineering                     3(3+1)

Chemical conversion processes. Mechanism of thermal and catalytic conversion processes. Important industrial conversion processes. Polymerization and alkylation. Production and purification of petroleum products. Design of fractional distillation of complex mixtures. Design of pipe-still heaters. Design of important reactors used in petroleum refiners. Synthesis and analysis of refineries. Application of software packages.

 

CHE 554: Polymer Science and Engineering                                 3(3+0)

Structure of polymer and their properties. Kinetics and mechanism of formation of polymers. Polymers reology. Manufacturing and processing techniques.

 

CHE 555: Oil and Natural Gas Economics                                      3(2+2)

Oil and gas industry from an economic perspective. International industry structure. Oil and gas industry in KSA. The economics of investment. Discounted cash flow analysis. Cost-benefit analysis. Internal rate of return. Oil and gas markets. Supply and demand determining prices and output; Hotelling: Principle. The operation of cartels. Dealing with risk in oil and gas markets. Open access to natural gas pipelines. Natural monopoly theory. National competition policy. Gas market regulation. Taxation of the oil and gas industry. Concept of economic rent. Impact and multiplier analysis. Balance of payments and exchange rate effects. Application of software packages. Government policy and the oil and gas industry. Application of software packages.The greenhouse gas issue.

 

CHE 556: Chemical Engineering Application in Waste Treatment      3(3+0)

Control of gaseous pollutants: conversion methods, thermal and catalytic processes. Absorption, adsorption condensation, control of SO2 emission, control of NOx emission. Wastewater treatment: Objectives and regulations, classification and application of waste water treatment methods, physical and chemical treatment processes, neutralization, coagulation and flocculation, sedimentation, ion exchange, electrodialysis. Solid waste: definitions, characterization, engineered systems for solid waste handling and disposal, ultimate disposal,   hazardous waste treatment technologies.

 

CHE  557: Air pollution Engineering                                                3(3+0)  

Identification of air pollutants both gaseous and particulate. Physical and chemical mechanisms for their formation.   Design  of existing technologies used to control emissions.  Effect of meteorology on air quality.

 

CHE 558: Chemical Plant Management                                          3(3+1)

    System approach to the firm: as a technological system, as a resource flow system, as information processing and decision making system. Principles of decision making and problem solving in an industrial environment. Brief description of linear programming applications. Application of software packages. Administrative structures and problems of the firm. Organization theories and achievement of objectives. Efficient use of resources and energy. The firm and technical change, R & D.

 

CHE 559: Process Safety and Occupational Health                         3(3+0)

Understanding, mitigating, and eliminating risks associated with handling hazardous materials. Applications to various chemical and petrochemical industries. Waste water emissions, air emissions and other wastes.  Transportation of hazard materials.  Spill prevention.  Environmental regulation.  Methods to determine exposure, radiation, and environment risk assessments; Methods to control processes with flammable materials or potential runaway reactions. Safety standards and code requirements. Emergency response plans. Hazard detection, reporting and abating. occupational health. Supervisor/management roles and responsibilities. compensation costs/lost time injuries.

 

CHE 560: Selected Topics in Chemical and Petrochemical Industries    3(3+0)

Advanced topics in selected areas of Chemical and Petrochemical Processes are covered.

 

CHE 561  Fundamentals of Polymer Engineering                           3(3+0)

Physical and mathematical principles required to understand and solve engineering problems encountered with polymeric materials. Fundamentals of polymerization and polymer synthesis. Details of polymerization mechanisms, structure-property relationships, fundamentals of processing, and characterization of high polymers. Overview of different polymers processing techniques commonly used in the Kingdom. 

 

CHE 562  Polymer Reaction Engineering                                          3(3+0)

Engineering principles applied to the analysis and design of polymerization processes. Mathematical modeling of polymerization kinetics, ideal polymerization reactors, heat and mass transfer, reactor dynamics and optimization, mixing effects. Case studies of important industrial processes.

 

CHE 563 Polymer Properties and Rheology                                      3(3+0)

Overview of polymer chemical composition, microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties, rheology, and principles of polymer materials selection. Description of the physical, thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties of polymeric materials relevant to their processing behavior. Techniques for predicting the engineering and physical properties of polymers from their molecular structures. Definition and measurement of the material functions of complex fluids, continuum mechanics of stress and deformation, constitutive equations derived from both continuum and molecular theories.

 

CHE 564 Polymer Processing                                                              3(3+0)

Review of the basic transport phenomena equations: mass, momentum, and energy. Analysis of various processing operations for the manufacture of polymeric articles, with particular emphasis on: extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, compression molding, and stretch blow. Discussion of plastics recycling issues.  Effects of additives on polymer processing.

 

CHE 565 Polymer Characterization and Synthesis Laboratory                3(1+2)

Characterization of polymers , including spectroscopic (Raman, infrared), mechanical (tensile, dynamic mechanical, rheological), microscopic (electron microscopy), physiochemical (intrinsic viscosity, differential scanning, calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography) and scattering (light, x-rays). Preparation of the most important types of  polymers. Radical, cationic, anionic polymerization, copolymerization, Ziegler-Natta polymerization, step growth polymerization; suspension and emulsion polymerization; group transfer polymerization; metathesis polymerization. Additional polymer characterization and synthesis methods.

 

CHE 566 Polymers Degradation                                                           3(3+0)

Thermal, chemical and photo stability of polymers, swelling & dissolution. Chain scission and bond rupture by oxygen, ozone, and other oxidizing substances. Thermal degradation at elevated temperature. Radiation damage caused by, electron beams, x-rays, UV, and others, weathering of polymers on exposure to outdoor conditions. Polymers degradation prevention & control.

 

CHE 567 Micromechanics                                                                    3(3+0)

Effects of microstructure on the mechanics of polymeric media: deformation modes, yield, rubber toughening, alloys and blends, fatigue and fracture of highly filled systems. Effect of fillers and strengthening additives on micromechanics of polymers.

 

CHE 568 Polymer Surfaces and Adsorption                            3(3+0)

Discussion of theoretical and experimental methods providing insight into polymer interfacial phenomena. Theoretical: surface dynamics, Gibbs isotherm, gradient-squares. Experimental: infra-red rays, spectroscopic methods and contact angles etc.

 

CHE 569 Advanced Topics in Polymer Engineering                           3(3+0)

The advanced subjects in polymer engineering related to the current needs.

 

CHE 570  Modeling & Simulation in Polymer Synthesis & Processing  3(3+0)

Modelling techniques used in commercial software in the polymer synthesis and processing industry,  developing simulation tools for specialized polymer applications. Different numerical methods to simulate flow, heat transfer and structural development in polymer synthesis and processing operations.

 

CHE 571 Non Newtonian Flow and Heat Transfer in Polymers    3(3+0)

Introduction to non-Newtonian behaviour in polymers, laminar flow for polymers, laminar heat transfer in polymers, turbulent heat transfer in polymers, mixing and heat transfer, heat transfer in polymer processing, viscoelastic fluids.

 

CHE 572: Membrane Separation Processes                                     3(3+1)

Theories of membrane separation processes with special emphasis on those processes used in desalination and water treatment. Qualitative and quantitative description of membrane separation processes including reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and membrane distillation. Synthetic membranes: types, mechanisms of separation and applications. Membrane selectivity to solutes. Solubility of permeates in polymeric membranes. Transport phenomena in membrane systems. Modeling and design of membrane modules and membrane separation processes. Membrane fouling: types, mechanisms, prevention/reduction methods and treatment.

 

CHE 573: Water Treatment Engineering                                         3(3+0)

Classification and significance of impurities in water: suspended and dissolved solids, organic and inorganic, trace contaminants, and pathogens. Methods for removing suspended solids: screening and grit removal, sedimentation, and filtration. Modern screening designs: bar racks, fine screens, rotating drums, moving belts. Chemical dosing: precipitation for water softening and other applications; coagulation and flocculation processes, including basic concepts from colloid science; disinfection Physical Processes: adsorption and ion exchange, primary sedimentation. Filtration, Flotation, sludge dewatering systems. Chemical Processes: Oxidation of trace organics: ozone, hydrogen peroxide and other oxidants, photochemical methods, Disinfection, Ion exchange, softening. Use of polyelectrolytes for flocculation and sludge conditioning.

 

CHE 574: Water Quality                                                                    3(3+1)

Water sources and use. Characteristics of water: water analysis, physical parameters, chemical and bacteriological parameters. Modeling of common water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, suspended solids, algae, nutrients, coliforms, and toxics. Techniques for assessing physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of waters. Emphasis on understanding effects of water quality on the treatment processes.

 

CHE 575: Selected Topics in Desalination and Water Treatment          3(3+0)

Advanced topics in selected areas of Desalination & Water Treatment Processes  are covered.

 

CHE 577:  Computer Aided Process Design                                     3(2+2)  

Techniques of computer-aided process modeling and design using commercial simulators. Principles of flow-sheet simulation. Steady-state simulation. Simulation of a new grass-root chemical plant. Simulation of an existing chemical plant. Revamping and retrofit simulation. Parametric studies. Dynamic simulation. Applications to chemical, petrochemical, biochemical, waste treatment and other processes of current interest.

 

CHE 578:  Process Identification                                                      3(3+0)

Development and formulation of process models. Linear regression models (e.g. ARX, ARMAX, Output-Error, Box-Jenkins). Incorporation of process knowledge. System identification. (Problem definition. Experimental design. Model set parameterisation. Identification criterion. Least Squares and Maximum Likelihood methods. Recursive computations). Model Validation. Closed Loop Identification. Real plant considerations. ). Applications to chemical, biochemical, waste treatment   and other processes of current interest.

CHE 579 : Process Synthesis                                                              3(2+2)

Heuristics for process synthesis. Development and evaluation of process flow-sheet. Establishing design criteria. Synthesis for separation trains. Heat and power integration. Equipment selection and design. Process sensitivity analysis. Process economic analysis and evaluation. Applications to chemical petrochemical, biological, water treatment and other processes of current interest.  Application of software packages.

 

CHE 580 : Process Integration                                                           3(2+2)

Fundamentals of pinch analysis. Energy targets, composite curves, problem table algorithm. Grand composite curves. Multiple utilities targeting. Trade-off between energy and capital costs. Heat exchanger area targets. Grid diagram. Flow-sheet data extraction. Pinch design method. Heat exchanger network design for maximum energy recovery. Energy Relaxation. Optimum heat exchanger network design. Threshold problems. Mixing and splitting Junctions. Retrofit applications in chemical and petrochemical plants. Application of software packages.

 

CHE 581:  Process Optimization                                                        3(2+2)

Nature and organization of optimization problems. Developing models for optimization. Formulation of the objective function.  Optimization theory and methods. Optimization for unconstrained functions. Linear programming. Nonlinear optimization with constraints. Mixed-integer programming. Dynamic programming. Applications to chemical, petrochemical, biochemical, waste treatment and other processes of current interest. Application of software packages.

 

CHE 582: Computational Fluid Dynamics                                        3(2+2)

Introduction to CFD. Governing Equations & Assumptions. Turbulence modeling. Numerical Methods: Finite Differences, Finite Volumes, Explicit Algorithms, Implicit Algorithms, Numerical Boundary Conditions, Methods of Line..etc.. CFD packages. Applications: Turbulent flow and reactions, Mass transfer and reaction in catalyst particles, Mixing in a stirred tank reactor, Multiphase flow..etc.

 

CHE 583: Nonlinear Analysis of Dynamical Processes                    3(3+1)

Bifurcation and stability theory of solutions to nonlinear algebraic equations. Numerical methods for the analysis of static  and  dynamic behavior of  initial value ordinary differential equations. Applications to chemical, petrochemical, biochemical, waste treatment   and other processes of current interest. Application of software packages.

 

CHE 584: Advanced  Control for Industrial Processess                  3(3+0)

Robust process control.  Model predictive control - single and multi variable. Applications to chemical, petrochemical, biochemical, waste treatment   and other processes of current interest.

 

CHE 585: Modern Control Theory                                                    3(3+0)

State space representation. Laplace transformation of multivariable systems. Controllability. Observability. Stability. Interaction measures. Linear feedback control. State estimation. Optimal control.

 

CHE 586:  Assessment of Benefits of Advanced Control  Systems         3(3+0)

Conducting a process control technology audit.  Estimating control function benefits.  Developing a strategic automation plan. Quantifying quality control's intangible benefits. Improving return on advanced controls. Avoiding advanced control project mistakes. Online optimization. Performance monitoring techniques. On line data reconciliation.

 

CHE  587: Data Acquisition & Digital Control in Laboratory Experiments      3(2+2)       

Principles of data acquisition. Computer interface (digital to analog conversion and analog to digital conversion). Computer operator interface. Data collection, trending and processing. Plant experimentation and testing procedures. Data Analysis and model development. Inferential control. Introduction to DCS systems.

 

CHE 588: Selected Topics in Process Synthesis & Control            3(3+0)

Advanced topics in selected areas of process synthesis and control are covered.

 

CHE 590: Biochemical Engineering                                                  3(3+0)

Biochemical fundamentals. Basic microbiology and biochemistry. Biochemical reaction mechanisms, kinetics and rate processes.  Enzyme and microbial kinetics. Various fermentors for enzyme and pure cultures. Sterilisation. Recovery and purification processes. Bioprocess economics.

 

CHE 591:  Bioseparation Engineering                                              3(3+0)

Separation technology in biological processes. Cell separation process. Recovery of intracellular and extracellular products. Technology in liquid-solid, liquid mixture, and gas mixture separation. Membrane technology in bioseparation.

 

CHE  592: Enzyme Engineering                                                        3(3+0)

Chemistry and structure of enzymes. Enzyme kinetics and mechanism of enzyme action. Enzyme regulation and production. Extraction and purification of enzyme. Technique of immobilization. Characteristics of immobilized enzymes and enzyme reactors. Application of enzymes in industries.

 

CHE  593: Bioremediation                                                                  3(3+0)

Fundamentals of bioremediation. Advantages and disadvantages of bioremediation compared to nonbiological processes. Factors affecting choice of in situ or ex situ processes. Assessment of biodegradability. Factors affecting microbial activity. Examples of biodegradation of specific contaminants (eg. fuel ,aromatics and polyaromatic hydrocarbons..etc).

 

CHE  594: Bioreaction Engineering                                                  3(3+0)

Analysis of microbial kinetics for bioreactor design. Design and analysis of batch, continuous and multiphase bioreactors. Effect of the rheology of fermentation broths on mass transfer, mixing, power requirement, etc. Scale-up.

 

CHE  595: Selected Topics in Bioprocess Engineering                    3(3+0)

Advanced topics in selected areas of bioprocess engineering are covered.

 

CHE 597: Advanced Topics in Chemical Engineering                    3(3+0)

Topics of current interest in the field of chemical engineering are offered.

 

CHE 598: Project 1                                                                              3(3+0)

CHE 599: Project 2                                                                              3(3+0)

CHE 600: Thesis                                                                                  3(3+0)

 

GE 501: Simulation of Engineering Systems on Computer             3(3+0)

Introduction to process modeling. Lumped and distributed parameter systems.   Equation of change. Numerical simulation of chemical processes described by differential equations: initial, boundary and partial differential equations.

 

MATH 506: Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations             3(3+0)

Initial and boundary value problems in ordinary differential equations. Numerical solutions. Elliptic, hyperbolic and parabolic partial differential equations. Initial and boundary value problems for second order partial differential equations. Numerical solutions.

 

ME 556: Alloy Theory                                                                         3(3+0)

Solidification processes. Nucleation and growth phenomena in alloys. Plane front solidification of single and polyphase alloys. Solid state transformation characteristics of alloys. Processing and properties of alloy systems.

 

CHEM 581 Polymer Solutions                                                             3(2+1)

Study of polymer solutions, their thermodynamics properties e.g. vapor pressure, osmotic pressure, swelling pressure, thermodynamics criterion of solubility, entropy of mixing and internal energy. The thermodynamic of high elastic and glassy polymer solutions. Thermodynamics of copolymer solution with emphasis on various applications. Practical measurements of some thermodynamic properties of polymer solutions.