Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering covers a large area, but it is mainly concerned with designing processes which will achieve the best possible result from a chemical reaction. This might be achieving a large amount of product in a manufacturing plant, the ability to synthesise materials with a high level of purity, being able to ensure reactions occur quickly or to produce a product with the minimum environmental impact.
In this topic you will be applying your understanding of equilibrium and reaction rates. There will examples of industrial chemistry included in this topic, many of which will be processes occurring in the Australian resources industry, in which Western Australia plays a major part. Because of the industrial context, issues of economics, safety and pollution are often important and these are also considered.
This topic should take about 8 hours to complete.
The main content areas are as follows.
Le Châtelier's principle and equilibrium
You will be applying Le Châtelier's principle to a range of industrial situations, where consideration will be given to what conditions will allow the greatest yield 
of product from a reaction. Rates of reaction are also important as the speed of a reaction is significant if trying to manufacture a product using a chemical reaction.
Solutions and solvents
Solvents are often used to separate products from reactants in a chemical reaction, so there is some revision of solution chemistry.
Calculations
There will be some calculations relating to the yield of reactions. Because many industrial reactions will be occurring at high temperatures and pressures, you will see how to carry out calculations involving volumes of gases at non-standard conditions.
Taking control of your learning
In this topic you will be applying concepts from earlier units, so it will be a good chance to consolidate and check your understanding of these ideas. Take time in this topic to make revision notes on the areas shown below.
- dynamic equilibrium
- reaction rates
- Le Châtelier's principle.
At the end of the topic there is a self-reflection exercise to complete. Use this to see how well you are able to apply these concepts.
When practising calculations, complete as many examples as time allows, and make sure that you are using a consistent technique when working through these problems.
Unit outcomes
By the end of this topic you should be able to do the following:
- convert between Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales
- perform calculations involving gas volume using PV=nRT
- perform calculations involving percentage yield
- write and use equilibrium law expressions
- apply Le Châtelier's principle
- investigate a biological, environmental or industrial process
- explain the reasons for compromises in industrial processes that involve reversible reactions
- write equations for systems at chemical equilibrium
- perform calculations involving solution concentrations.
