Beginning from semester 2 of year 1, Principles of Chemical Processes 1 (SKKK1113) is a compulsory subject for all the students of Chemical-Bioprocess Engineering. The main study of Principle of Chemical Processes 1 included the study of mass balance and energy balance. It can further divided into unit conversion & process variables, single unit mass balance, multiple unit mass balance, reactions such as combustion, single phase, multiphase and energy balance.
It was an enjoyable and informative learning experience throughout the lessons with Dr. Nazlee. I didn’t take physics during my pre-university program (STPM) and I was actually kind of worried before the class. However, Dr. Nazlee is very knowledgeable and he put the knowledge from the book in his own words with related and clear examples. I sincerely felt that it had been enjoyable lectures with him. This attracts me to possess more interest to go deep in this subject. I always paid full attention during the lessons and focused on the important points. For me, this subject is a platform for me to gain better understanding on the scope of a chemical engineer.
In the beginning of classes, I learnt to carry out unit conversion & process variables. Though we had learnt this in Semester 1 in Introduction to Engineering, we are exposed to more questions and practises to master the skill of it. Knowledge that gained without using it will be easily forgotten so I think practises is very important in the process of learning as the saying practise makes perfect. Besides, in single unit mass balance, it was the first time that I was being exposed to the word “Basis”. We learnt to identify, find or assume the basis in single unit system and also the equipment identification. These skills are the fundamental skills of an engineer to formulate a systemic approach to cope with the engineering problems. All problems must be solved from the basics. Besides, in multiple unit system, I also learnt the importance to use degree of freedom analysis to identify the approach for the question. In multiple unit system, we were exposed to chemicals that can undergo reactive reaction. Thus, we were taught the skill of molecular balance, atomic balance, and extent of reaction which I felt that it was one of the important skill for a chemical engineer. I felt glad that Dr. Nazlee put it in an easy way that we can understand it in a blink of eyes. The exercises in classes facilitated the understanding of us.
The next part of the syllabus came the single phase and multiphase system. I felt that this is the part that everything gets harder although we had learnt about ideal gas equation and vapour pressure too in our pre-university program. In single phase system, we learnt about the ideal gas law and only consisted the gas or gas mixture. However, in multiphase system, we learnt about gas and liquid which reach equilibrium when the partial pressure of the gas equal to the vapour pressure of that gas at that particular temperature. We were exposed to the different table in the back of our books and taught the ways to use the table efficiently which I think it’s very essential in our future studies. In single phase system, we also learnt different ways to solve the problems rather than ideal gas equation only because the gas might not be ideal by using several equations of state, Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK) equation or compressibility factor (z) equation of state. Then, later in multiphase system, we were taught to find the dew point temperature and boiling point temperature by using the Txy diagram or trial and error method. We were given an assignment on using the Excel to form a spreadsheet for the trial and error method. I think this part of the syllabus is slightly harder than the early part because the answer that we got for the questions are uncertain unlike the mass balance part which we can test the answer that we got.
In the last part of the subject, we were required to learn about energy balance. From my understanding, it was an essential skill for our later Thermodynamic subject. I had been introduced to the first law of thermodynamics and also the formulas for every term. By mastering the knowledge on the first law of thermodynamics, I believe I can master this knowledge that will serve as the basic for more complex and tougher questions. Besides, I was also exposed to different meaning of words in the question which indicated different situation such as opened and closed system.
To conclude, it was really a pleasure to meet Dr. Nazlee that is really passionate to share his knowledge with the students. I hope that I will not let him down and I will make sure I master the knowledge that I learnt from him for the future use of my career. I will try my best for Test 3 and also the Final for PCP. Last but not least, I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Nazlee. Thank you very much, Dr. Nazlee.