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CHIM-H514

Simulation and design tools

année académique
2025-2026

Titulaire(s) du cours

Frédéric DEBASTE (Coordonnateur) et Tom VAN ASSCHE

Crédits ECTS

4

Langue(s) d'enseignement

anglais

Contenu du cours

-Basics on deconvolution of cyclic networks, and methods of convergence acceleration.
-Optimisation methods used in the chemical industry (linear programming)
-Use of Comsol software and mathematical techniques for CFD calculations.
-Solving practical problems with Aspen (VUB) and Comsol (ULB).

Objectifs (et/ou acquis d'apprentissages spécifiques)

This course is part of the profile ‘Process technology’ of the Master of Applied Sciences and Engineering: Chemistry and Materials.  The following learning goals and competences are aimed for:
A first part is related to knowledge of chemical process simulators, especially ‘Aspen +’.
A second part covers the techniques of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), use of Comsol.
Besides this, a practical knowledge of optimisation methods and convergence acceleration has to be obtained.

The following competences are aimed for:
The student should be able to apply knowledge obtained during courses of unit operations, heat and fluid sciences, reaction engineering on a practical industrial production process.
Use of ‘Aspen+’ for the modelling of an existing production process (at VUB).
Use of Fluent for the detailed calculation of convection in reactors (at ULB)
Students should be able to communicate in English (written and oral) and to work in a team.

Méthodes d'enseignement et activités d'apprentissages

The course is centered on the guided use of different numerical methods and sofwares (Aspen+ and COMSOL) that are used all along the course.

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

Practical course material (Recommended) : Decomposition of nets, chemical engineering, 1972
Handbook (Recommended) : Optimization of chemical processes, Edgar, Himmelblau and Lasdon, 2de, Mc. Graw Hill, 9780070393592, 2001
Handbook (Recommended) : Product and Process Design Principles, Synthesis, Analysis and Design, Seider, Seader and Lewin, 4de, J. Wiley, 9781119588009, 2019
Handbook (Recommended) : Mathematical methods in chemical engineering, N. R. Amundson, Prentice Hall, 9780135610923, 1973

Support(s) de cours

  • Université virtuelle

Contribution au profil d'enseignement

This course contributes to reaching the following learning objectives.

The Master of Sciences in Chemical and Materials Engineering has in-depth knowledge and understanding of

MA_2   integrated structural design methods in the framework of a global design strategy

MA_3   the advanced methods and theories to schematize and model complex problems or processes            

MA_17 an integrated insight in chemical process and materials' technology

The Master of Sciences in Chemical and Materials Engineering can

MA_4   reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity)

MA_8   collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team

MA_9   work in an industrial environment with attention to safety, quality assurance, communication and reporting

The Master of Sciences in Chemical and Materials Engineering has

MA_12 a creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society

MA_15 the flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context

Autres renseignements

Contacts

Frédéric Debaste (frederic.debaste@ulb.be)
Tom Van Assche (Tom.Van.Assche@vub.be)

Campus

Hors campus ULB

Evaluation

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

  • Travail personnel
  • Rapport écrit

Travail personnel

Rapport écrit

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

3 elements are evaluated : 

  1. a test on last exercise session about optimisation (20% of the mark)
  2. written reports on the Aspen + part (40% of the mark)
  3. written reports on the COMSOL part (40% of the mark)

Langue(s) d'évaluation

  • anglais

Programmes