Learner Guide

2015

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

DEPARTMENT: / Chemical Engineering
QUALIFICATION: / B.Tech: Chemical Engineering
(BTCME1)
SUBJECT: / Project IV: Chem. Eng.
(Subject Code: PRCE401)

PROJECT IV: CO-ORDINATION

Lecturer/Course Co-ordinator: Prof P Musonge

Room number: S4, Level 1

Telephone: (031) 373 2415

Fax No: (031) 373 2285

E-Mail:

Consultation with Lecturer:By online appointmentand per schedule

Project Technician:Mr Terrence Christy

Office and email:S3 Basement (Research Lab), ,

Departmental Secretary: (031) 373 2438

Contact details:(031) 373 2438

Lectures:There will be several formal lectures to direct Case Studies/Tutorials and consultationsthroughout the year as per the schedule

Practicals:Project basis

Lecture/Tutorial Venue:LC014 (Friday/Saturday) – as per announcement.

Practical Venue:Place of employment or Dept of Chemical Engineering laboratories

Duration of Course:Approximately 40 weeks

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Vision

The Department strives for excellence in Chemical Engineering education, with a comprehensive undergraduate teaching program and a vibrant post-graduate research program focusing on developing technologies for addressing South Africa’s needs.

Mission

In pursuit of educational excellence, the department commits itself to:

  • Developing and maintaining a relevant programme, with a good balance between theory and practice, to fulfill the needs of the Chemical and Allied Industry and Society at large,
  • Providing students with a holistic learning experience which will maximize their chances of success
  • Establishing and maintaining partnerships with industry,
  • Maintaining a robust and relevant research and community outreach programme.

Goals

Through quality and effective teaching, and allocation of appropriate human and physical resources, the Department aims to:

  • Continually focus on achieving a high student throughput
  • Produce graduates with marketable skills
  • Increase research activities and outputs
  • Promote staff development
  • Promote knowledge transfer through external engagement

1Welcome and Introduction

Welcome to ChemicalEngineering Project IV. This study guide provides all of the requirements for Project IV including the critical dates for lectures, presentations and submissions. Specific learning outcomes and assessment criteria are also provided.

2Purpose of this Subject

The purpose of this BTech: Chemical Engineering subject is to introduce the student to the methodology of applied research. The general aim of these research projects is to develop scientific and analytical approaches to investigating engineering problems, and to experience tackling a problem whose solution is unknown, and generally not covered in textbooks.

Throughout your career you will be required to solve problems of one form or another e.g. troubleshooting, process optimization, product development, etc and it is very important to demonstrate that you can conduct an extensive and detailed investigation of the problem. Hence you will be required to:

  • Think independently
  • Define the problem clearly
  • Identify and apply relevant chemical engineering and scientific theory to the problem
  • Apply a logical and scientifically acceptable methodology in solving the problem
  • Source information, literature and data that is relevant
  • Interpret work by others, or personal observations, or to analyse numerical data (as appropriate) and to draw conclusions
  • Relate your findings to the knowledge of subject derived from the work of others
  • Communicate (in writing and orally) the findings and conclusions to others
  • Manage a project by identifying clear aims, milestones, and adhering to the project schedule and deliverables.

Project IV is not simply a glorified laboratory practical. It is a scientific and systematic study of a real problem requiring you to draw upon your knowledge of Chemical Engineering and apply that knowledge to understand and propose a practical solution. Project IV provides you with the opportunity to show initiative, ingenuity and originality.

3Pre-Requisites

There is no prerequisite course for Project IV. Students are expected to be well versed in computer applications, as this course will require the extensive use of word processing packages, spreadsheets, presentation packages, and other specialised computer software.

4Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners who think that they already have the knowledge and skills that are intended to be developed by this course by having completed courses at other institutions or in industry, may apply to the department for the recognition of prior learning in this subject. This can only be considered on the provision of a comprehensive portfolio.

5Criteria for an acceptable Project

In order for a project to be deemed suitable for Project IV, it must meet the following criteria:

(i)It must be an INVESTIGATION, and NOT a DESIGN

(ii)It must involve a minimum of 120 hours of input

NB.An investigation differs from a design in that the objective is to produce knowledge and understanding of a phenomenon.

In addition, it must have the following components:

  • Identifying and delimiting a problem, and developing an approach to investigate the problem

This step involves identifying the problem and its context, developing specific objectives to address the problem, and developing an approach to achieve the objectives.

  • Conducting an extensive and detailed investigation of the problem

This step is a process of gathering material and seeking out data through literature search, experimentation, consultation, etc – bringing together data and the results relating to the specific problem.

  • Examining and evaluating the material that has been gathered

This step consists of a highly detailed examination of the data and results and identifying meaningful and important relationships.

  • Making professional judgments about the material and the ideas growing out of it.

In this step the answer is defined, and conclusions, suggestions or recommendations are formulated based on sound engineering and scientific theory.

The detailed requirements as specified by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for the BTech projects, is presented in Section 7 of this guide.

The minimum requirements for the different types of projects that may be considered aredescribed below:

Type of Project / Minimum Requirement
Industrial investigation /
  • Problem must be clearly defined with key objectives
  • Your role must be clearly defined if it is a team project
  • Permission and acknowledgement from your company for the project
  • The project must include application of relevant chemical engineering theory/ principles
  • Collection and analysis of process / performance data – this may include statistical analysis

Development of test rigs /
  • Problem must be clearly defined with key objectives
  • Include design, construction and commissioning
  • The project must include application of relevant chemical engineering theory/ principles
  • Collection and analysis of process / performance data – this may include statistical analysis

Mathematical Modeling /
  • Problem must be clearly defined with key objectives
  • Detailed description / Development of model
  • The project must include application of relevant chemical engineering theory/ principles
  • Selection of suitable numerical technique
  • Development of code / algorithm
  • Simulation of results and sensitivity analysis
  • Comparison of simulated results with real data.

Experimental Project /
  • Problem must be clearly defined with key objectives
  • The project must include application of relevant chemical engineering theory/ principles
  • Assembly of test unit and commission
  • Collection and analysis of experimental data – this may include statistical analysis
  • Repeatability of tests

6Rules and Requirements

  • Full-time students will be allocated to a member of the Department staff, who will act as your Project IV Supervisor.
  • Part-time students in conjunction with an Industry Supervisor, are required to identify a suitable workplace based project in line with the criteria in Section 5.
  • All students must prepare a one page summary of what the project is about and what will be investigated.

[Due date: 27 February 2015]

  • Once the project topic is accepted, you will be required to prepare a written proposal and do an oral presentation of the proposal.Students who are doing industrial based projects must submit a letter (with signature and company stamp) from their industrial supervisors certifying that the industry is aware that the student is working on such a project and that permission has been given to the student to carry out such a project. This letter has to be submitted together with the written proposal. (If this letter is not submitted, you will be required to deregister from Project IV).

[Due date: 24 March2015]

Students who have not been able to find a suitable project by the date of the proposal presentation will be requested to deregister.

  • The project supervisors will be available to offer advice, provide pointers and monitor your progress, but ultimately it is your project, and you have to meet the deadlines.
  • You and your supervisor may have some idea of where the research will take you but in the majority of cases, research is stepping into uncharted territory and you should expect setbacks, unforeseen technical difficulties and organizational difficulties. You must at all times be prepared to take the initiative to produce some meaningful data which can be supported by applying fundamental Chemical Engineering principles.
  • You will be required to submit a Project Proposal,a Progress Report and a Final Project Report, and give three oral presentationsduring the course of the year (see Sections 10 and 11). These will serve as the “exams” in this course.
  • The pass mark for Project IV is 50 %.(subject to a subminimum of 50% for the Final Report)

All notifications and announcements will be done only through the DUT4LIFE email addresses.

7Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Here are the detailed requirements as specified by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for the projects in the B Tech qualification.

Specific outcomes
/
Assessment Criteria
a)Formulate a project. /
  • The project is identified and described.
  • The purpose, importance and significance of the study are presented.
  • The specific tasks in the study are identified.
  • The resource requirements are estimated.
  • A time framework for the study is provided.
  • The relevant assumptions, premises and constraints are identified and recorded.

b)Describe and justify the theoretical framework and methodology to address the project. /
  • Relevant sources of information on the project brief are surveyed.
  • Related systems and sub-systems are identified.
  • Key questions / problems / issues are identified.
  • The relevant theoretical framework is described, justified and applied.
  • The relevant methodology to address the project brief is described and justified.
  • A project proposal is presented.

c)Conduct and manage the project. /
  • The project investigation / development are conducted in accordance with industry practice.
  • Appropriate data collection methods are applied.
  • Statistical methods are applied to information sampling
  • Observations made are consistently and accurately recorded.
  • The project process is successfully managed.

d)Analyse the information gained / results of the project. /
  • Facts and evidence are distinguished from assumptions and inferences.
  • Optimum process conditions are identified through analyses of resultsin accordance with process requirements
  • Errors and redundancies are identified through analyses of the datain accordance with standard statistical methods.

e)Draw conclusions / Make recommendations based on the project. /
  • Valid conclusions are drawn based on the results of the project.
  • Recommendations for process / product optimisation are developed from the results of experiments and trials in accordance with organisation requirements, resources, and constraints.
  • Implications of applying recommendations to actual industrial processes / products are identified and described in accordance with process requirements and environmental, economic, and safety factors.

f)Produce a report of the completed work. /
  • An abstract that clearly states the problem investigated, the methodology and equipment used, the results obtained and the conclusions drawn, is produced.
  • A properly referenced literature survey is presented.
  • The methodology and equipment used is described
  • The data, analysis, results, discussion, and recommendations are presented in accordance to organisational requirements.
  • The complete project appropriately address/complies with the premises, constraints, assumptions and desired outcome(s).

8. Learning and Teaching Strategies

Project IV is an annual subject, and primarily involves students working individually on their selected projects. Various lectures will be presented during the year, to teach students the essential aspects of Research Methodology, and assist with their planning and report writing. Students will have to produce specific outputs, in the form of written reports and oral presentations, on strict deadlines during the year.

There will be a numberformal lectures/tutorials during the year, with the following content.

Content
1 /
  • Advanced Researching Skills (Library Course).( Week 1)
  • Harvard Referencing Guide.
  • Case Study

2 /
  • Overview of Project IV
  • Plagiarism
  • Introduction to Research
  • Methodology of Scientific Research

3 /
  • Written documentation to be produced during a project
  • Writing a Project Proposal
  • Oral Presentations
  • Assessment rubrics for the Proposal and Oral Presentations

4 /
  • Planning a project
  • Aspects of Scientific Methodology

5 /
  • Project status reports
  • Writing a Progress Report
  • Assessment rubric for the progress report

6 /
  • Basic statistics
  • Processing of data
  • Presentation of results

7 /
  • Writing a Final Project Report.

It is compulsory for students to attend all lectures. A register may be taken at random sessions.

9Role of the Supervisor

  • Supervisors are there to provide guidance and support, and offer suggestions on courses of action. Your supervisor is NOT there to direct you on a prescribed course of action.If you find your supervisor doing this, this will indicate that you are not making sufficient progress.
  • Your reports will be marked by the Course Assessor, and not by your supervisor. However, you are encouraged to submit your draft reports to your supervisor( 2 weeks before the final submission for the 2 major reports) for his/her written comments and advice.Your Progress Report and Final Report will be required to be signed by your supervisor. Reports not signed by the supervisor will not be assessed.
  • Students that wish to use a work-related project must ensure that the full scope of the project and the extent of your involvement/contribution are fully discussed between your work Supervisor and the DUT Project co-ordinator.
  • If required, the DUT Supervisors will visit the work site to assess the suitability of the project, and to engage with the work place project supervisor.
  • Students engaging in work-related projects must ensure that the DUT Project Co-ordinator is fully informed of progress and changes (if any).
  • Students are expected to meet with their supervisor at least once a month. You must sign an attendance sheet (which your supervisor should keep) each time you meet.Your supervisor may elect to waive some monthly meetings if he/she is satisfied with your progress.
  • Students who do not submit a signed copy of their Project Reports, and who do not have sufficient contact with their supervisors throughout the year will not be allowed to submit a final report[see Department Handbook on lecture attendance policy].
  • For projects based off-campus, the Course Co-ordinator may decide to visit you at least once during the year to verify that the project, the equipment, and your role in the project, is as you described.

10Assessment

The assessment for Project IV will be based on a series of written reports and oral presentations. You will be assessed on several skills during the project:

  • Ability to conduct investigative projects in a scientifically acceptable manner
  • Ability to document your work in a concise and accurate manner.
  • Demonstrate that you can apply at least the fundamental principles of chemical engineering to your problem e.g. mass and energy balance, fundamentals of fluid flow, heat transfer, mass transfer etc.
  • Ability to work with the minimal amount of supervision.
  • Work steadily through the project, collecting and verifying the accuracy of experimental results.
  • Utilizing the existing literature, collecting previous work and/or examples where your project fits into an industrial situation.
  • Applying theoretical models, arguments etc to explain the findings of your work.

The assessment of your abilities in each of these areas is done through the oral and written presentations of your work measured against a specific set of criteria – see attached marking scheme.

The Final Mark for Project IV will be determined as follows:

  1. Written Proposal5%
  2. Proposal Presentation (5 min)5%
  3. Progress Report 110%
  4. Progress Oral Presentation (10 min)5%
  5. Final Oral Presentation (10 min)10%
  6. Case Studies5%
  7. Final Written Report60% (subminimum 50%)

Final Mark100%

(i)The pass mark for Project IV is a Final Mark of 50%(subject to a subminimum of 50% for the final report)

(ii)Department rules regarding non-attendance/non-submission will be followed. Agreotat applications are to be made via the department secretary to the course co-ordinator. Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance of the reasons will be sent to you. Only if approved will a submission be marked/assessed.

(iii)Submission of reports in electronic format only, i.e. without a hard copy, will not be accepted.

11PROGRAMME: Deadlines

Description / Date
Deadline: Literature Review Case Study: Turnitin/HardCopy (15H00) / 20 February
Supervisor’s Deadline: Draft of Summary of Proposed Project. / 23 February
Deadline: Summary of proposed project (maximum: one A4 page) / 27 February
Supervisor’s Deadline: Written Proposal / 16 March
Deadline: Written Proposal (maximum: three A4 pages) / 24 March
Project Proposal Presentation / 30 to31 March
Supervisor’s Deadline: Draft of Progress Report / 03June
Deadline: Progress Report / 17 June
Progress Report Presentation / 18 to 20 June
** DEREGISTRATION OF STUDENTS WITH UNSATISFACTORY PROGRESS / 19 JUNE
Supervisor’s DeadlineDraft of Final Written Report / 11 September
Deadline: Final Written Report / 29 September
Final Oral Presentation / 15 to 17 October

NOTE:

  • Any changes to the above listed dates will be communicated to you via the DUT4LIFE email facility, so please check your emails regularly.If you are unable to meet any of the above deadlines, you will need to apply to the course coordinator for an extension one week inadvance (with the necessary support documents).

**Unsatisfactory progress: Students who are unable to conduct any experimental work / data collection by this stage will be required to de-register from Project IV.