Unit Operation Experiment Linking Classroom With Industrial Processing

Abstract

An industrial-type distillation column, including appropriate pumps, heat exchangers, and automation, was used as a unit operations experiment to provide a link between classroom teaching and real-world applications. Students were presented with an open-ended experiment where they defined the testing parameters to solve a generalized problem. The goal was to provide operating conditions for optimum economic efficiency. An assessment revealed that students developed proficiency for comprehending the intertwined facets of typical chemical processes.