What is chemical engineering?

Chemical and Process Engineering is the profession in which knowledge of Mathematics,

Chemistry, Physics and other Natural Sciences gained by study, experience and practice is
applied with judgment to develop economical ways of using materials and energy for the benefit
of mankind. It's true that Chemical Engineers are comfortable with Chemistry, but they do much
more with this knowledge than just make chemicals.
More typically, they turn raw materials into valuable products. The necessary skills encompass
all aspects of design, testing, scale-up, operation, control, and optimization. Hence this requires a
detailed understanding of the various "unit operations", such as Distillation, Mixing, and
Biological Processes that make these conversions possible.
Chemical Engineering science utilizes mass, momentum, and energy transfers along with
thermodynamics and chemical kinetics to analyse and improve these unit operations. The breadth
of scientific and technical knowledge inherent in the profession has caused some to describe the
Chemical Engineer as the "Universal Engineer".
There are a countless number of industries where chemical engineering is used in. Examples are,
petrochemical, mineral processing, advanced material, food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological
industries, polymer industries and ceramic industries. Chemical engineers work closely with
fellow engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical and electronic engineers as well as
Civil and materials science engineers.
It would be correct to say that the term Chemical in Chemical and process engineering refers
more towards the knowledge and experience in terms of the applied sciences whereas process
engineering comprises of the designing, operating, maintaining and optimising of the processes
that convert raw materials into finished goods.
Together, the knowledge of applied sciences and process engineering forms the core of Chemical
and Process engineering.
History
The Department of Chemical Engineering was inaugurated by gazette notification on 15th
February 1972. The program had its roots in the Junior Technical Officer's course conducted by
the Maradana Technical College. The study program Chemical and Process Engineering (CPE)
started its history with the first student intake in 1972 to Katubedda campus of University of
Ceylon. The course was originally termed Chemical Engineering and Fuel Science and the
degree awarded was Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc).

he first student intake was limited to 8 students and the first batch was graduated on 1972.In 1981 B.Sc.
Engineering Degree was introduced and the students were offered E2 category to select Chemical,
Material or Mining Engineering fields based on their performance of the first year. The M.Sc. course in
Polymer Technology started as a full time course in 1986.In 1991 the student intake was increased up to
15 and the subject Unit Operation was introduced to the Part I Chemical Engineering Curriculum. The
professional body Chemical Engineering Society was inaugurated in 1992.In 1993 the first issue if
Chemunique magazine was released and the full time M. Sc. Course in Polymer Technology was
converted to a part time course.

The optional subjects Environmental Engineering, Biochemical Engineering and Food Process
Engineering were introduced to the Chemical Engineering curriculum in 1994 with the increased
intake of 20.With the purpose of reflecting the broader range of engineering applications the
name of the department was changed from Chemical Engineering Department to Chemical and
Process Engineering in 1998.The annual intake of students was increased up to 30 in 1999. In
2000 major modification were introduced to the curriculum with moving in to the newly
introduced semester system from session exam system. The E II stream was eliminated and the
students were taken under the common Engineering category. Students were categorized into
Chemical and Process Engineering field based on their Level 1 GPA value. Four fields of minor
specialization namely, Food & Biochemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Energy
Engineering and Polymer Engineering were introduced and the student intake was increased
further to 50.In 2001 Masters program in Chemical and Process Engineering started with a first
batch of 09 students.
In 2004 the student body of the DCPE Chemical Engineering Students Society (CHESS) was
inaugurated and the course curriculum was revised. In 2005 the DCPE received IRQUE funds
which lead a substantial development of the department resources. In 2006 foundation stone was
laid for the Chemical Engineering Centre and the new equipment was bought under IERQUE
grants.With the collaboration of with Telemark University College, Norway Masters Programme
in the DCPE was started with a batch of 12 students. With that offering the scholarships of
Chemical and process engineering was started.
In 2007 the first Ph.D student passed out from DCPE and the agreements were signed with
NCPC & Cargills to improve the quality of the undergraduate programme. In 2008 the Chemical
and process Engineering Centre was established and the scholarship programme for the student
with economic difficulties was also initiated. For the first time in Sri Lanka food and process
development incubator was established in the University of Moratuwa under an agreement of
DCPE and Cargills in 2009. In the same year DCPE established a partnership with Polypto
Company regarding the process of petrol from waste plastic.In 2010 the student intake was
increased to 80 and the selection of the Engineering discipline was based on their level one 1st
semesters GPA.

The Department functions with a vision of Delivering Chemical and Process Engineering
knowledge, skills and innovation for a sustainable tomorrow. The mission identifies the
commitment of the staff to develop it into a place of excellence. The Department will strive to
educate, conduct research and offer consulting services with dedication, devotion and
commitment and aim to be a place of excellence through internationally recognized programs for
the benefit of society. The study program today has a strong team fully committed for excellence.
Up to date 484CPE graduates have entered the community having followed the study program.
The main goal of the program is to impart to the student the understanding and the appreciation
of the role of a Chemical and Process Engineer in an economy, which is Value Addition via
Processing be it Physically, Chemically or biologicallyss and to equip the student with the
necessary knowledge.

Industrial Training
Each undergraduate in the faculty of engineering will have 6 months of in-plant training in their
3rd year of study. Each student will work these 6 months at an organisation which will help them
get ready for the industry while giving them a great opportunity to apply what they have learnt in
their studies to real problems in the real world.

Academic
Students are selected for the BSc in Chemical & Process Engineering (CPE) course on the basis
of their performance at the first year first semester examination and their individual preferences.
Up to 2009, the number of admissions to the department was restricted to 50 students and it is
expanded to 80 from 2010. In the CPE degree program, three minor specialization streams are
offered from the 2009 intake onwards, to the students after completion of their second year of
study. They are,
- Environmental & Energy Engineering
- Polymer Engineering
- Food & Biochemical Engineering
Students also have the option of following the chemical & process engineering degree program
by selecting subjects without any minor stream specialization. Our degree program is being
regularly revised to match the needs and demands of both the students and their future

employers. A systematic approach is available for students to acquire necessary knowledge and
skills during their stay in the department.

Semester 1
Module Code
MA1012

CS1032
ME1032
MT1022

Module Name
Mathematics
Programming
Fundamentals
Mechanics
Properties of
Materials

CE1022

Fluid Mechanics

EE1012

Electrical
Engineering

EL1012

Language Skill
Enhancement I

Term A

Description
Develop the skill in Mathematical Logic required in
engineering applications. Develop the knowledge on basic
Calculus required in engineering applications. Provide a
working knowledge of basic probability and statistics in
engineering application.

Impart a sound understanding of the principles of fluid

Mechanics as applied to problems in engineering.
Project an overall picture of Electrical Engineering. Perform
DC, AC and transient calculations. Apply different types of
meters for electrical measurements. Draw up complete
wiring circuit of a household and appreciate the importance
of different protection.

Module Code
EL1022

MN1012

CH1952

CH1962

DE1xx2

Semester 2
Module Code
CS2812
EN1802
MT2802
MA1022
CH1012

Module Name
Language Skill
Enhancement II

Description

Introduce the scientific and societal contexts within which

engineer work; to equip them with the basic professional
Engineering in
skills, ethics and concepts required to be a good professional
Context
within the field of engineering; and to be able to identify
some of the non technical considerations which influence
engineering judgements.
Give an introductory knowledge on basic principles on
engineering design. Offer an understanding on how to study
and analyze an engineering design problem using the basic
Engineering
principles. Design a simple component by applying the
Design
knowledge gained. Gain skills on working as a group in order
to solve an engineering design problem Improve the
presentation skills.
Develop skills that are important to an engineer other than
Engineering Skill theoretical knowledge gain. Develop a clear understanding of
Development
workshop practices that is essential in maintaining and
managing an industry.
Non-Technical
Elective I*

Module Name
Visual
Programming
Basic Electronics
Material Science

Description
Able to develop computer software for engineering and
other applications using a visual programming environment.

Apply the knowledge gained on calculus and algebra using

Numerical Analysis and Differential Equations.Develop the
basic Multivariate Function and Calculus concepts. Develop
the basic concepts of Statistics.
Biological Science Introduce principle of microbiology, biochemistry, and
Fundamentals
genetics to recognize how the biological characteristics of
production systems. Demonstrate the interactions involved
between biochemical engineering and biotechnology. Give
Methods of
Mathematics

CH1022

Chemistry for
Engineers

CH1032

Process
Engineering
Fundamentals

an introduction to fermentation kinetics.

Offer the knowledge in basic principles of applied chemistry
Gain an ability to solve problems in engineering applications
using the knowledge in chemistry
Provide students with a foundational understanding of
underlying principles of process industries Provide students
an understanding of process development and design

Semester 3
Module Code
ME2012
ME2122

ME1822

EE2802

EN2852

MA2012

MA2022

Module Name
Description
Mechanics of Materials
1
Engineering Drawing Introduces the techniques used in manual drawing and
and Computer Aided trains students to enhance their imagination of predicting
Modelling
the geometries of 3D objects from different view points.
Studies the responses of basic system properties to mass
and energy transfer into them- 1st law Introduces the
Basic Engineering
principles behind heat engines, heat pumps, refrigeration
Thermodynamics
etc. Using the principle of entropy to predict the
possibility of a process happening
Contains a detailed study of electric machines like
transformers, DC motors, Induction motors etc. Pros and
Applied Electricity
cons of other uses of electricity: heating and lighting
Aspects of power utilization
Starting from the basic knowledge gained in EN1802,
provides an insight into applications involved in any
Applied Electronics
electronic appliances such as amplifiers, filters, ADCs
and microcontrollers. Sensor designing
Understand Fourier approximation in various
mathematical methods in physical system
modeling.Understand the modeling of physical system
Differential Equations using partial differential equation Understand transform
methods in solving differential equations Understand the
use of power series methods in solving differential
equation.
Calculus
Understand the concepts of application of parametric
curves in space. Understand the concept of coordinate

CH2042

CH2052

transformation Understand the vector field and

integration on curves and its application Understand the
use of complex variable applied in mathematical
methods used in modeling physical system, Understand
the calculus such as integration, differentiation applied to
complex variable
Introduce fundaments of fuel science and petroleum
Fuels and Lubricants technology Introduce tribology, its applications and
importance to the industry
Enable students to understand different systems of units,
dimensional consistence, flow patterns, hydrodynamic
flow meters and apply energy balances Give students an
Transport Phenomena 1
understanding of the fundamentals of fluid flow Enable
them to analyze and solve problems encountered in fluid
flow

Semester 4
Module Code

MA2032

CH2062

CH2072

CH2082

CH3092
MCH3102

Module Name

Description
Familiarize students with the concept of a vector space
and its algebraic properties and the manipulative
techniques necessary to use matrices and determinants
Linear Algebra
in solving applied problems. This course in linear
algebra serves as a bridge from the typical intuitive
treatment of calculus to more rigorous courses.
Enable students to understand different mode of heat
transfer and apply the gain the knowledge to calculate
Transport Phenomena
heat transfer coefficients for a given process equipment
II
Enable students to analyze and solve problems
encountered in mass transfer.
Provide the knowledge of basic principles of chemical
thermodynamics and chemical kinetics to understand
Chemical Kinetics and the chemical processes. Build up a foundation for
Thermodynamics
utilizing this knowledge in applications such as
designing chemical reactors and maximizing efficiency
of chemical processes.
Introduce the fundamental aspects of basic unit
operations used in industry and the concept of
Mass Transfer
equilibrium staged separations. Provide sufficient
Operations 1
understanding of the size calculations required for
design of unit equipment.
Introduce the principles of environmental science and
Environmental Science to provide a basic knowledge of environmental
pollution
Polymer Science and Obtain the knowledge in polymerization mechanisms
Technology
and processes. Learn the types of degradation of

CH2952

Technical Report
Writing and
Presentation Skills

polymers and methods of preventing degradation.

Study the functions of compounding ingredients and
related technologies.
Enable students to search sources and locations of
technical information. Develop competence in
referencing literature, report writing and presentation.

Semester 5
Module Code
CH3112

MA3022

CH3122

MN3052

CH3132

CH3142

Module Name

Description
Give students an in-depth understanding of solid/fluid
systems Gain knowledge on the behaviour and properties of
Particulate Systems particulate materials Understand the mechanisms of
separation of solid-liquid systems using their characteristic
properties
Introduce numerical Optimization Algorithm which can be
easily implemented in Computer, Introduce various
numerical algorithm to solve Ordinary and Partial
differential equation. Introduce the various numerical
Numerical Methods algorithms to calculate eigenvalues of matrix. Chose the
best method among the alternatives, based on errors and
convergence characteristics. Introduce the Finite Element
Methods applied in Engineering. Introduce MATLAB to
implement all published algorithm studied in this course
Demonstrate practical working knowledge and skills in
process equipment design principles, procedures and
Plant and
practices. Identify and justify appropriate materials for use
Equipment Design 1
in process plant equipment fabrication in specific operation
environments
Industrial
Management and
Marketing
Offer the knowledge in Energy management in process
industries, giving special attention on methods of energy
Energy Efficiency efficiency and conservation and the energy accounting.
and Conservation Enable the students to select the suitable options available
for heat recovery, CHPetc. Develop basic skills required for
energy monitoring, auditing and targeting
Reactor Engineering Give the students an understanding of how chemical
reactions are commercially evaluated, carried out in
industry, monitored and controlled as well as how chemical

CH3212

CH3222

CH3232

CH3242

CH3252

CH3262

CH3702
Module Code
CH3112
MA3022

reactors are selected and designed

Give students an understanding of fundamentals of polymer
Polymer Process
processing techniques and processing parameters. Provide
Engineering
sufficient understanding of the basic calculations required
for the design of polymer process equipments
Study the fundamental molecular theories in polymer
physics Familiarize with the standard physical testing
Polymer Physics
methods Understand the mechanical behaviour of polymers
using fundamental theories
Understanding of growth kinetics, comparison of modes of
fermenter operation and productivity A detailed awareness
Bioprocess
of the growing field of enzyme engineering: its role in
Technology
bioprocesses. Demonstrate the interactions involved
between biochemical engineering and biotechnology. Give
an introduction to fermentation kinetics.
Develop a quantitative insight into food engineering
operations which are not usually covered in chemical and
Food Process
process engineering undergraduate course Developing
Engineering
awareness of the modern food chain supply chain process
and the various techno-economic issues involved Develop a
simple understanding of nutrition and dietectics
Environmental
Impart engineering principles of solid waste, wastewater,
Engineering
hazardous waste and air pollution control
Gain an understanding of renewable energy systems
Develop an insight to the importance of renewable energy
Renewable Energy system design, including environmental aspects of system
Engineering
design Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Solar
Energy, Wind and wave energy, Hydro Power, OTEC and
Geothermal energy systems
Computer Aided
Give knowledge required to model and simulate (dynamic
Chemical
and static) chemical engineering problems in the area of
Engineering
energy, environmental and process technologies
Module Name

Description
Give students an in-depth understanding of solid/fluid
systems Gain knowledge on the behaviour and properties of
Particulate Systems particulate materials Understand the mechanisms of
separation of solid-liquid systems using their characteristic
properties
Numerical Methods Introduce numerical Optimization Algorithm which can be
easily implemented in Computer, Introduce various
numerical algorithm to solve Ordinary and Partial
differential equation. Introduce the various numerical
algorithms to calculate eigenvalues of matrix. Chose the
best method among the alternatives, based on errors and

CH3122

MN3052

CH3132

CH3142

CH3212

CH3222

CH3232

CH3242

CH3252
CH3262

convergence characteristics. Introduce the Finite Element

Methods applied in Engineering. Introduce MATLAB to
implement all published algorithm studied in this course
Demonstrate practical working knowledge and skills in
process equipment design principles, procedures and
Plant and
practices. Identify and justify appropriate materials for use
Equipment Design 1
in process plant equipment fabrication in specific operation
environments
Industrial
Management and
Marketing
Offer the knowledge in Energy management in process
industries, giving special attention on methods of energy
Energy Efficiency efficiency and conservation and the energy accounting.
and Conservation Enable the students to select the suitable options available
for heat recovery, CHPetc. Develop basic skills required for
energy monitoring, auditing and targeting
Give the students an understanding of how chemical
reactions are commercially evaluated, carried out in
Reactor Engineering
industry, monitored and controlled as well as how chemical
reactors are selected and designed
Give students an understanding of fundamentals of polymer
Polymer Process
processing techniques and processing parameters. Provide
Engineering
sufficient understanding of the basic calculations required
for the design of polymer process equipments
Study the fundamental molecular theories in polymer
physics Familiarize with the standard physical testing
Polymer Physics
methods Understand the mechanical behaviour of polymers
using fundamental theories
Understanding of growth kinetics, comparison of modes of
fermenter operation and productivity A detailed awareness
Bioprocess
of the growing field of enzyme engineering: its role in
Technology
bioprocesses. Demonstrate the interactions involved
between biochemical engineering and biotechnology. Give
an introduction to fermentation kinetics.
Develop a quantitative insight into food engineering
operations which are not usually covered in chemical and
Food Process
process engineering undergraduate course Developing
Engineering
awareness of the modern food chain supply chain process
and the various techno-economic issues involved Develop a
simple understanding of nutrition and dietectics
Environmental
Impart engineering principles of solid waste, wastewater,
Engineering
hazardous waste and air pollution control
Renewable Energy Gain an understanding of renewable energy systems
Engineering
Develop an insight to the importance of renewable energy

CH3702

Computer Aided
Chemical
Engineering

Term B & Semester 6

Module
Module Code
Name
CH3992

Industrial
Training

system design, including environmental aspects of system

design Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Solar
Energy, Wind and wave energy, Hydro Power, OTEC and
Geothermal energy systems
Give knowledge required to model and simulate (dynamic
and static) chemical engineering problems in the area of
energy, environmental and process technologies

Description
Gain through practical experience, an appreciation and
understanding of the theoretical principles learnt at the University.
Get students exposed to the industrial environment and to assist
students to pick up the knowledge related to managerial and
technical functions of the organization.

Semester 7
Module Code
MN3042
MN4022

CH4152

CH4202

Module Name
Description
Basic Economics and Financial
Accounting
Engineering Economics
Instruct students on the basic
understanding, calculation
methods and design/procedures
for complex distillation systems,
cooling towers, crystallizers,
absorbers, evaporators and dryer
systems.
Comprehensive Design Project Enable students to learn by application
the diverse nature of requirements for
Design Assignments in Chemical and
Process Engineering. Learn by practice
the importance of data gathering, site
visits and networking in process design.
Application of fundamental knowledge of

CH4172

CH4272

CH4282

CH4292

Organizational
Behaviour and
Management
MA4022

Chemical Engineering in Process and

Unit designs
Introduce the concepts of process control
Teach how to mathematically model
processes Teach how to analyze
processes using mathematical tools such
as Laplace transforms etc To teach
dynamic response of 1st order and higher
Process Dynamics and Control
order processes. Introduce the concept of
designing simple loop feedback control
systems Teach how to analyze the
stability of a control system, how to
feedback controllers and special process
control techniques
Develop the knowledge on design
concepts and utilize these concepts in
Design and Characterization of designing of rubber and plastic products
Polymer Products
Offer the knowledge in qualitative and
quantitative analysis of polymeric
materials and products
Give an understanding of the concepts of
hygienic plant design Develop an insight
to hygienic equipment design, including
designing for cleaning in place
Developing awareness of good hygiene
Hygenic Plant Design
practices, including personal hygiene and
pest control Gain knowledge on various
types of quality systems and methods of
certifying hygienic design as applicable
for the food industry
Take into consideration the energy and
resource constraints into process
selection and design Introduce the
Sustainable Engineering
concept of ecological footprint, carbon
footprint and water footprint into process
design Inculcate the use of renewable
materials and energy into process design

Operational Research

Use quantitative methods, techniques and

tools in solving problems in the real
world. Acquire the Skills to improve the
effectiveness of the system as whole with
emphasis on allocation of scare
resources. Acquire skills of Modeling in

CH4712

Chemical Pracess Design and

Integration

Term C
Module Code Module Name
CH4962

Research
Project

DE3xx2

Non-Technical
Elective II

Module Code Module Name

CH4962

Research
Project

DE3xx2

Non-Technical
Elective II

Semester 8
Module Code

CH4202

MN4122
CH4192

Description
Provide practical experience related to process industry
problems. Improve creativeness, communication & presentation
skills and thereby to improve the quality of students that are
acceptable for stakeholders to cultivate research culture among
students

Description
Provide practical experience related to process industry
problems. Improve creativeness, communication & presentation
skills and thereby to improve the quality of students that are
acceptable for stakeholders to cultivate research culture among
students

Module Name
Comprehensive
Design Project

various decision problems. Use various

methods of solution applied in different
OR Models. Use OR models as Decision
Support System (DSS) Tools in different
areas. Apply appropriate OR Techniques,
which could be used in developing
computer oriented DSS. Integrate OR
models with information technology to
developed effective DSS.
Give fundamental knowledge required to
design new phenomena based on
heuristic roots, pinch analysis and
mathematical knowledge.

Description
Enable students to learn by application the diverse nature
of requirements for Design Assignments in Chemical and
Process Engineering. Learn by practice the importance of
data gathering, site visits and networking in process
design. The application of fundamental knowledge of
Chemical Engineering in Process and Unit designs.

Human Resource
Management and
Industrial Relations
Plant and Equipment Introduce the basic types of turbo machinery used in
Design
process industries. Introduce the basic concepts in

CH4182

Safety and Loss

Prevention

CH4702

Process Modelling
and Simulation

CH4302
CH4312
CH4322
MN4042
MN4112
MN4072

MA4032

MA4042

CH4722

Mould and Die

Design for
Polymer Products
Biochemical
Engineering
Clean Technology

selection of turbo machinery and pipe networking for a

given application. Develop the skills required for design
heat and mass transfer equipment.
Educate students on occupational hazards, safety aspects
in chemical process plants and the industry. Apprise
students on employer obligations, employee duties and
legal requirements related to industrial safety. Provide
introduction to hazard identification and quantification as
applicable to process plant.
Develop knowledge in basic process modeling techniques
and tools and how to formulate dynamic models based on
the mechanisms that drive the systems, with special
emphasis on simplifying assumptions. Learn methods for
simulating (solving) the resulting mathematical models.
Introduce the concepts of mould and die design. Provide
sufficient understanding of the basic calculations required
for the mould and die design.
Demonstrate the interactions involved between
engineering and biology.
Highlight the importance of pollution prevention over
pollution control. Integrate Environmental Concerns to
product design. Impart the basics of waste audits in
process industry

Technology
Management
Production and
Operations
Management
Small Business
Management and
Entrepreneurship
Understand the various techniques of modeling time series
data. Understand the application of time series data.
Understand the principle of stochastic process.
Understand the various stochastic modeling techniques.
Provide the concepts of neural network and fuzzy logic
Neutral Networks and
with examples and applications. Understand the linkage
Fuzzy Logic
between neural networks and fuzzy logic.
Provide a historical perspective of Environmental
Total Environment
Management and its relation to industrialization. To
Quality Management educate students on global direction in Environmental
Management
Time Series and
Stochastic Logic