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  • Designing experiments with Aspen HYSYS simulation to improve distillation systems: Insights from a chemical engineering course
    Publication . João, Isabel; Silva, João
    Designing experiments by simulation with process simulators, e.g. Aspen HYSYS, can be very effective in the optimization of several chemical engineering systems. It is important to enhance students' skills highlighting the value of applying problem specific knowledge, simulation tools and sound statistical techniques. This paper addresses the use of Aspen HYSYS by Portuguese chemical engineering master students to model distillation systems together with statistical experimental design techniques in order to optimize the systems. The paper presents a procedure followed in two projects beginning with the selection of two case studies from the literature, which the goal is to further improve with the help of design of experiments. The paper presents the work developed by the students in order to model steady-state and dynamic processes and optimize the distillation systems emphasizing the benefits of the simulation tools and statistical techniques in helping the students learn how to learn. Students strengthened their domain specific knowledge and became motivated to rethink and improve chemical processes in their future chemical engineering profession. The main results and conclusions provide a strong incentive from the teachers' perspective to a wider use of this kind of procedure by chemical engineering master students.
  • Designing Solutions by a Student Centred Approach: Integration of Chemical Process Simulation with Statistical Tools to Improve Distillation Systems
    Publication . João, Isabel; Silva, João
    Projects thematically focused on simulation and statistical techniques for designing and optimizing chemical processes can be helpful in chemical engineering education in order to meet the needs of engineers. We argue for the relevance of the projects to improve a student centred approach and boost higher order thinking skills. This paper addresses the use of Aspen HYSYS by Portuguese chemical engineering master students to model distillation systems together with statistical experimental design techniques in order to optimize the systems highlighting the value of applying problem specific knowledge, simulation tools and sound statistical techniques. The paper summarizes the work developed by the students in order to model steady-state processes, dynamic processes and optimize the distillation systems emphasizing the benefits of the simulation tools and statistical techniques in helping the students learn how to learn. Students strengthened their domain specific knowledge and became motivated to rethink and improve chemical processes in their future chemical engineering profession. We discuss the main advantages of the methodology from the students’ and teachers perspective.