From Solen and Herb, Introduction to Chemical Engineering 5th Ed.

(2011)
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 - Reading Questions: 1, 3, 5 and 7.
1. Of the seven steps suggested in this chapter for solving engineering problems,
a. Which steps involve thinking of new plans or ideas?
i. Step 2 where you think of solutions
b. Which steps involve evaluating the plans or ideas?
i. Step 3 evaluate and rank the possible solutions
3. In evaluating the possibility of an evaporation pond to take care of the acid,
several technical variables were mentioned that would affect the feasibility of
such a pond. Based on those variables and any others you think are
important, how feasible would an evaporation pond be if the facility were
located in your home- town? Explain your answer.
I think that an evaporation of a pond would not be feasible because there is not
much land that is available in the city, the spaces in city are often clustered which
would make constructs on the pond difficult since you would have to make sure
that no acid leaked into the ground. Moreover, the process of evaporating a pond
is expensive because the site would exist far from transportation since mainly
rural areas would most likely have ponds of the size indicated in the problem.
Also mentioned was that a study of evaporation rates and processes suggests that
the construction of ponds large enough for this process would be excessively
expensive.
5. Why was it necessary to check the state limit on dissolved solids in waste
streams in order to determine if the plan to neutralize the acid was a feasible
one?
It is necessary to check the state limit on dissolved solids in waste streams
because it determines the amount of final concentration that cannot exceed a
certain level. To neutralize acid that has an average concentration of 0.014
gmol/L, and the neutralization reaction will produce one mole of salt per mole of
acid. If there was a high concentration of salt, it could ultimately affect the
wildlife and agriculture.
7. Which role in Table 3.3 do you think that you would best play in a team?
I think that I would best play the role of the recorder or data gatherer because I am
good at organizing and recording the information.
Chapter 3 - Homework Problems: 2, 4 and 6
2. Using a computer word processor of your choice, write a memo to your boss
in which you communicate
Memorandum
From: Kelly Wu, wwu38@hawk.iit.edu
To: Mr. Boss, Supervisor, Chemical Process Group

I have just received your memo indicating the problem of handling the disposal of
waste acid. My team and I have met to review the possible ideas. We have
propose some method we found had the most and least merit.
Methods considered include:
Changing the process so the acid is not produced is possible however, the process
is very expensive. Contracting the company to take away the waste would not be
cheaper than if our company did so itself. However, they may have equipment
that our company does not have, but, for the time being there is no such company.
Building a tank would also prove expensive also is not a sustainable solution nor
suitable for the environment. Discharging the acid to any body of water would be
detrimental to agriculture and wildlife.
Our preliminary conclusion is that waste product be collected from the
manufacturing process and held in a tank that we can use to feed our
neutralization process. The tank will allow these two processes to be operated
independently and reactor will be necessary for the neutralization reaction to take
place. I will advise you on our progress on the project and, at the appropriate time,
will bring the design to you for input from you and from other important teams in
the division.
4. How many specic violations of the AIChE Code of Ethics can you identify in
this story?
They violated to uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the
engineering profession by: being honest and impartial and serving with delity
their employers, their clients, and the public; striving to increase the competence
and prestige of the engineering profession; and using their knowledge and skill for
the enhancement of human welfare. They failed to protect the public and the
environment through improper disposal methods by cutting costs. They also
violated to notify the public of their mistakes and accept responsibility of their
actions. They also did not perform professional services in that they didnt train
their employees.
6. Suppose that you work for a large power company. One of your companys
holdings is a small coal-red power plant near an old coal mine that provided
fuel for the plant. The plant is not currently in operation due to a long
history of res and cave-ins that have caused a number of deaths and led to
closure of the mine. However, a modern (and safe) coal mine is in op- eration
approximately 100 miles away. Existing railroad tracks cover only 30 miles of
the distance between the plant and the operational mine.
a. Based on the above information, propose at least three possible
problem denitions. Which do you feel is most appropriate?
i. Problem: Need for a new and safe coal mine, the tracks needed to
be built to get to the modern coal mine, and cost of operation.
b. Propose four possible strategies to put the power plant in operation.

1) Build tracks to connect to modern coal mine

a. Cost of equipment
b. How will you get the coal?
c. Time to complete process-power plant from coal
2) Add new safety measures to old coal mine
a. Cost of new equipment
b. Time will take to reinforce safety measures
c. Contracting construction companies
3) Destroy coal mine and rebuilt
a. How will this affect the environment
b. Safety precautions of blowing the coal mine
c. New workers needed
4) Other transport method than railway-e.g. air craft or truck
a. Cost of oil and transport
b. Time management
c. Number of people needed to load coal.
c. Suppose that you are a manager employed by the power company,
and that you have been given responsibility for the problem described
above. Organize a hypothetical group of ve people to address this
problem and propose a plan for its solution. Specify the roles that
these individuals might fulll as part of the group. What types of
individuals (see Table 3.2) would be best suited to these roles?
i. Manager-me
ii. Hoang- fact finder, because he is precise, judicious and thorough,
and can deal with detail and complexity, seeking to be both
objective and appropriate.
iii. Implementer-Schauble, because she is hands-on, craft-oriented,
and brings tangible quality to actions. Implementers have a strong
sense of three-dimensional form and substance and the ability to
deal with the concrete
iv. Follow thru-me, because I am meticulous at planning,
programming, and designing.
v. Quick start- hypothetical member
It would be cheaper to build tracks as it is more time efficient in the
future and can be maintained for times to come. The new mine has
access to the equipment needed for the power plant which would
reduce cost compared to rebuilding or adding new safety measures to
the old mine.