Process Simulation and Data Analytics
CHEN2004

Introduction

Modern chemical engineering relies heavily on the ability to simulate, analyse and optimise complex processes, often before a single pipe or reactor is built. This unit introduces students to industry-standard simulation tools and datadriven techniques that form the digital backbone of process design and operations across the chemical and energy sectors.

Students explore how simulation models are used to represent steady-state chemical processes and to predict system behaviour under changing conditions. These capabilities are vital in real-world scenarios such as scaling up production, troubleshooting plant inefficiencies, or evaluating the impact of feedstock variability. The unit also introduces essential data analytics skills, teaching students how to draw meaningful insights from experimental or industrial datasets, skills increasingly valued in sectors undergoing digital transformation.

Through a mix of hands-on simulation labs and practical problem-solving tasks, students gain experience with flowsheet development, operation unit modelling and process optimisation. Emphasis is placed on interpreting results with engineering judgment and communicating findings effectively, skills that are crucial for teamwork and decision-making in professional settings.

By integrating simulation with data analytics, the unit equips students with a systems-thinking mindset that enhances their readiness for roles in design, operations, or research. It lays the groundwork for advanced study in process control, optimisation, and digital engineering, and supports the development of transferable analytical and communication skills applicable across disciplines.